That drip under your kitchen sink isn’t going away on its own. If anything, it’s going to get worse — and the longer you wait, the more likely you’re dealing with water damage to your cabinet floor on top of everything else. Disposal problems are one of the most common calls we get at 5 Corners Plumbing, and we serve homeowners all across Lynnwood, Bothell, and the greater Seattle area. The good news? A disposal replacement is usually a pretty straightforward job — and we can walk you through exactly what to expect before we ever show up at your door.
You See a Drip Coming From Under the Sink Area
That drip is trying to tell you something.
Most of the time when water shows up under the kitchen sink, it’s coming from one of a few places — the disposal itself, the drain connections going into it, or the supply lines nearby. The tricky part is that a slow drip can soak into the cabinet floor for weeks before you even notice it. By then you’ve got soft wood, maybe some mold starting, and a bigger project on your hands than just swapping out the disposal.
Here’s what to look for:
- Water pooling on the cabinet floor — even a small amount after running the sink is worth paying attention to
- Dripping from the bottom of the disposal unit — this usually means the internal seals have failed and the unit itself needs to go
- Leaking where the disposal meets the drain pipe — sometimes this is just a loose connection, but if the disposal is older, it’s often a sign the whole unit is on its way out
- Rust or mineral staining on the cabinet floor or walls — that’s evidence of a slow leak that’s been going on longer than you realized
A good rule of thumb — if your disposal is more than 10 years old and it’s leaking, repair usually doesn’t make a lot of sense. You’re better off putting that money toward a new unit.
When you reach out to us, go ahead and send a photo of the area under your sink — the disposal, the drain connections, and the cabinet floor. That gives us a clear picture of what we’re working with before we schedule anything.
What Size Disposal Should You Choose?
This is where a lot of homeowners get tripped up.
Disposals are rated by horsepower — and the right size really comes down to how much cooking you do and how many people are in your household. Here’s a simple way to think about it:
| Household Size | Usage Level | Recommended HP |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 people | Light use | 1/2 HP |
| 3–4 people | Moderate use | 3/4 HP |
| 5+ people | Heavy use | 1 HP or more |
A few things worth knowing before you pick a unit:
- 1/2 HP units are the most common replacement we install — they handle everyday use well and hit a good price point for most households
- 3/4 to 1 HP units are the move if you cook a lot, have a big family, or you just got tired of an underpowered unit jamming every other week
- Stainless steel grinding components matter more than most people realize — they resist corrosion and hold up a lot longer than galvanized parts
The unit we most commonly install is the Badger 5 by InSinkErator — it’s a reliable workhorse that handles everyday kitchen use without a lot of drama. InSinkErator has been around forever and their parts are easy to source if anything ever needs attention down the road.
Not sure which one is right for your kitchen? Just send us a quick message describing how much the disposal gets used on a typical day. That’s honestly all we need to point you in the right direction. You can also check out our plumbing services page to see everything we offer.
Clear Out Under the Sink and We’ll Swap It With a New One
This is the part where we make it easy on you.
Before we show up, there’s really only one thing we ask — clear out everything stored under the kitchen sink. Cleaning supplies, dish soap, the random stuff that accumulates under there over the years. That’s it. We take care of everything else.
Here’s what the process looks like from our end:
- We disconnect the old unit — power, drain connections, and the mounting assembly all come off cleanly
- We inspect the drain lines and cabinet floor while we’re in there — if there’s been a slow leak going on, we’ll spot it and let you know
- We mount the new disposal using the existing sink flange in most cases, which keeps things simple and avoids unnecessary extra work
- We reconnect the drain lines and check every connection before we’re done
- We run the unit and test for leaks — we’re not calling the job finished until everything is dry and working the way it should
The whole swap typically takes about an hour depending on what we find under there.
One thing that speeds the job up a lot — before you book, send us a photo of the under-sink area and the existing disposal. That way we show up with the right unit and the right parts, and there’s no waiting around.
How Much Does Disposal Replacement Cost in Lynnwood?
Straight answer — disposal replacement in Lynnwood starts at $400 plus tax and that includes the Badger 5 by InSinkErator and the installation.
Here’s what’s included at that price:
| What’s Included | Notes |
|---|---|
| Badger 5 by InSinkErator | Reliable, everyday workhorse |
| Labor | Disconnect old unit, install new one, test for leaks |
| Drain connection check | We inspect everything while we’re in there |
| Cleanup | We leave the area the way we found it |
A few things that can affect the final number:
- If the drain lines need work — older homes sometimes have corroded or undersized drain piping under the sink that needs attention while we’re already in there
- If the cabinet floor has water damage — we’ll flag it but that’s typically a separate conversation
- If you want to upgrade to a higher HP unit — the Badger 5 covers most households but if you want more power we can talk through options
What we don’t do is show up and surprise you with a number you weren’t expecting. Send us a photo of your setup beforehand and we can give you a straight estimate before we ever schedule anything. Contact 5 Corners Plumbing to get the conversation started.
Why Lynnwood Homeowners Choose 5 Corners Plumbing
There’s no shortage of plumbers in the Seattle area. So why do homeowners in Lynnwood and Bothell keep calling us?
A few reasons that come up over and over:
- We’re local — 5 Corners Plumbing serves Lynnwood, Bothell, Kirkland, and the greater Seattle area. We’re not a national franchise with a local phone number. We’re actually here.
- We make it easy before we show up — send us a photo of your sink setup and we’ll tell you exactly what to expect before we schedule anything. No surprises.
- We show up prepared — because you sent us that photo ahead of time, we arrive with the right unit and the right parts. No running back to the supply house in the middle of your job.
- We leave things clean — we clear out, clean up, and test everything before we call it done. The area under your sink should look better when we leave than when we got there.
- We’re straightforward about pricing — disposal replacement starts at $400 plus tax for a basic swap with the Badger 5. That’s the number. We’re not going to nickel and dime you once we’re under the sink.
Licensing, insurance, the whole thing — it’s all in order. You’re not rolling the dice on some guy with a truck.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disposal Replacement in Lynnwood
Q: How do I know if my disposal needs to be replaced or just repaired?
A: If your disposal is leaking from the bottom of the unit, that’s a pretty clear sign the internal seals have failed and replacement makes more sense than repair. Same goes if the unit is more than 10 years old and giving you problems — at that point you’re better off putting that money toward a new one rather than chasing repairs on an aging unit.
Q: How long does a disposal replacement take?
A: Most swaps take about an hour. If we find something unexpected under the sink — corroded drain lines, water damage to the cabinet floor — we’ll let you know what we’re looking at before we do anything extra.
Q: Do I need to buy the disposal myself before you come out?
A: Nope. We supply the disposal and bring everything we need — one less thing for you to figure out. We install the Badger 5 by InSinkErator as our standard unit, and if you want something with a little more power we also offer the InSinkErator Evolution with 3/4 HP and upgraded stainless steel internals. Just let us know when you reach out and we’ll talk through which one makes more sense for your household.
Q: What should I do before the plumber arrives?
A: Just clear out everything stored under the kitchen sink. That’s really it. We handle the rest.
Q: How do I get a quote before scheduling?
A: Send us a photo of the area under your sink — the disposal, the drain connections, and the cabinet floor. That gives us everything we need to give you a straight answer on price and scheduling before you commit to anything. Head over to our contact page and send us a message with your photos.
Ready to Replace Your Disposal in Lynnwood or Bothell?
That drip under the sink isn’t going to fix itself. And the longer it sits, the more likely you’re dealing with a soggy cabinet floor on top of everything else.
Here’s all you need to do right now — snap a photo of the area under your kitchen sink and send it our way. Show us the disposal, the drain connections, and the cabinet floor. That’s enough for us to give you a straight answer on what you need and what it’s going to cost before we schedule anything.
Disposal replacement in Lynnwood starts at $400 plus tax and includes the Badger 5 by InSinkErator and everything that goes with the install. We show up prepared, we do the job right, and we leave your kitchen better than we found it.
5 Corners Plumbing is licensed, local, and serving Lynnwood, Bothell, Kirkland, and the greater Seattle area.
Get a Free Quote or call us directly to get on the schedule.