Insinkerator Disposal Repair (Model BADGER 5 PLUS 5 PLUS-5) – Alliance, OH

A homeowner in Alliance called when their InSinkErator garbage disposal wouldn’t turn on and the sink was backing up with standing water. When we arrived at this Stark County home, we found the Badger 5 Plus had a jammed flywheel that prevented the motor from starting.

The Problem

The customer reported that the disposal stopped working mid-cycle while grinding food scraps. The unit wouldn’t respond when they flipped the switch, and dirty water was backing up in the sink. They had already tried the reset button on the bottom of the unit with no success.

Diagnosis

Testing revealed no motor response at the wall switch, confirming the unit was completely dead. Using a hex key from below, we found the flywheel was stuck tight and wouldn’t rotate manually. Opening the grind chamber, we discovered debris lodged between the flywheel and the grinding ring. The obstruction had caused the motor to overload and trip the internal breaker.

The Repair

• Parts replaced: None — service call only
• Work performed: Removed debris from grind chamber, freed jammed flywheel, reset overload protection
• Result: Unit starts immediately, grinds smoothly, sink drains completely

Is It Worth Repairing?

The InSinkErator Badger 5 Plus is a solid mid-range disposal that typically runs 8-12 years with proper care. At 3-5 years old, clearing a jam is definitely worth it versus replacement. These units are built tough and usually bounce back well from debris jams once properly cleared.

Maintenance Tips for InSinkErator Disposals

• Run cold water during grinding and for 20-30 seconds after to flush debris completely through the drain line
• Never put fibrous materials like corn husks, celery strings, or onion skins down the Badger series — they wrap around the flywheel
• Monthly cleaning: drop ice cubes and rock salt down the disposal, run for 30 seconds to scour the grinding chamber clean

Appliance Repair in Alliance, OH

Alliance is in Stark County — an area we cover regularly from our base in Louisville, OH. We also serve Canton, North Canton, and Hartville. Louisville Appliance Repair is owned and operated by Samuel Willhite, a master-certified technician with Bosch and Speed Queen factory authorizations. If your appliance needs service, schedule online or call (330) 693-9163. You can also find us on Google and read verified reviews from customers across Stark County and surrounding areas.