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Leaking garbage disposal often goes unnoticed until you confront a sopping cabinet, a foul-smelling puddle, or an audible drip-drip-drip from the unit. The fix can be frustrating, too, because the leak can stem from many components in the system. Fortunately, with a little sleuthing, you can zero in on the leak and—depending on the exact location—stop the icky oozing and repair the component that caused it. Worst case scenario, if it turns out that the garbage disposal must be replaced you can always call a garbage disposal installation expert to have it done right.
"When my garbage disposal broke I didnt know what to do my husband tried to fix it by watching some guy online and it only made more issues for us down the line i should have just called the pros."
- Alexa Fetmen, Homeowner
Prior to testing the garbage disposal for leaks, unplug it at the wall outlet and turn off the power from the breaker box to prevent electrical shock. Then insert a watertight sink stopper into your sink drain and wipe the unit dry with a clean cloth. In any handy container, mix a few drops of food coloring into a few cups of water, and pour the dyed water onto the sink stopper to help you locate the leak. If you detect no leaks but still have a foul smell or see water-damaged spots call our garbage disposal installation experts to help find the leak and determine the best course of action.
The metal sink flange that sits directly inside the sink drain is typically sealed around the top with plumbers putty (a clay-like sealant) and then secured from under the sink with bolts. If the plumber’s putty deteriorates, or the bolts loosen, the flange can no longer form a watertight seal between the sink drain and the disposal—which could cause a leak at the top of the unit.
Replace the plumbers putty and tighten the bolts when this is done repeat the food-colored water test to see if it worked if it did great this should stop the leaks coming from the top.
Two drain lines extend from the sides of garbage disposal: a narrower dishwasher hose that connects the dishwasher drain pipe to your disposal’s dishwasher inlet and the main drain pipe that connects your disposal to the sewer through an outlet in the wall.
If you spy a leak on the side of the disposal where the dishwasher hose meets the disposal’s dishwasher inlet, the problem could be that the metal clamp connecting them is loose. In that case, tighten the screws in the metal clamp with a screwdriver.
If the leak is on the side where the disposal meets the waste drain pipe, loosen the screws that secure the drainpipe to the disposal and inspect the rubber gasket inside the pipe—it may well be worn out. Replace the gasket and re-tighten the drainpipe screws.
Leaks from the bottom of the garbage disposal (often from the reset button) commonly indicate that at least one seal on the interior shell of the unit that protects the motor has deteriorated, or that the shell itself has cracked. These vulnerabilities can cause water from the sink to seep into the shell of the disposal and leak out of the base of the unit. In old garbage disposal, one compromised internal seal is often accompanied by others, so your best bet is to install a new one. You can call our garbage disposal installation experts for an easy replacement today.
"Never let a leak go unchecked the odds of it getting worse rather than getting better are very high with garbage disposals this goes double some of the worst smells in the home come from the rotten food from there get it fixed before its a stinky problem."
- Conner Hawkmen, garbage disposal Installation Expert
Proper use of a garbage disposal can stave off future leaks. So remember to grind only soft foods; hard items such as bones, apple cores, or raw potatoes can dislodge or damage the internal seals. Run cold water through the sink drain before and after food disposal to keep solid fats from congealing into gunk (which can deteriorate the sink flange and cause leaks). Finally, inspect your disposal for leaks at least twice a year using the dyed-water test to catch and repair minor leaks before they lead to water-damaged sink cabinets or kitchen floors.
The best way to prevent leaks however is to call a garbage disposal installation expert at 877-589-2528 for maintenance on your home’s plumbing once a year.
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