How To Fix a Garbage Disposal Leak: Tips From a Plumber (2024)

8Reasons YourGarbage DisposalIsLeaking(+ How ToFix)

There are some common reasons leaks occurin your garbage disposalwhich means you can generally diagnose the problem and establish the solution fairly easily.

Leaks typically occur from three places: the top, the middle, or the bottom of the garbage disposal, and we've given a list of the common causes below.

To complete any kind of repairs on your garbage disposal, you will need:

• A Screwdriver
• Plumber’s putty
• Plumber’s wrench

If the leak is coming from the bottom of yourdisposal,then it could be due to loose drain lines. At the base of yourdisposal,you should have two pipes,a thick sewer line, and a thin dishwasher drain line.

These parts see a lot of use, and if they aren't fitted correctly, then water will drip from them. If you can see any visible water dripping from them, you need to follow these steps:

• Locate the clamp that holds the garbage disposal to the dishwasher. Using a screwdriver, tighten thescrews which connect the garbage disposal to the dishwasher and look to tighten the screws which hold the dishwasher disposal line in place.
• Check the drain line attachment to make sure it’s tight. Use a screwdriver to tighten if necessary.

If you notice a leak from themiddle of your disposal, it could be a crack in the body. This is the worst type of leak because it usually means your garbage disposal is damaged beyond repair.These cracks typically happen because it's been knocked, often when somebody is searching or retrieving something from the cupboard.

Unfortunately, there isn't a quick fix for this, and if you see a split or crack, then you probably need to replace your garbage disposal. You should consider placing your new one in a safer location to prevent is being knocked or damaged in passing.

• Remove the screws which attach the disposal to your main drainand any other hoses or connections.
• Locate the mounting ring, which is used to secure the garbage disposal underneath the sink, andremove it. This should allow you to fully remove the garbage disposal and lay it on an even surface.
• Use a wrench and screwdriverto loosen the bolts and remove the mounting assembly. This should be fairly easy to remove, and you can lay it down next to your garbage disposal.
• Now you can remove the plumbers putty on top of the flange at the top of the disposal.Clean the top of the flange with a wet cloth to remove any dirt.
• Take your plumbers putty and roll it in your hands until it's thin. Shape it in a circle around your clean flange,so it goes around the entire perimeter. The flange should now fit into the drain.
• Reattach your mounting assemblyand then reinstall the garbage disposal, reconnecting all the attachments.
• Test your garbage disposal to make sure it’s no longer leaking.

Worn out gaskets are one of the leading causes fora leaking garbage disposal, and they will usually cause a leak from the top of the unit.You should check the gasketbetweenthe flange and the rubber seal of the garbage disposal. If there’s anydischarge,then it means the gasket isfaulty.

Gaskets will naturally become weakened over time, so if you have an old garbage disposal, then you are more likely to encounter this problem.Faulty gaskets can also be caused by poor fittingif it's improperly sealed around the edges, and gaskets can also dry up if they aren’t used regularly, so if youdon't use your disposal much, it can cause it to leak.

To solve theissue,you need to swap the existing gasket for a new one. You can do this by following these steps:

• Detach the drain and remove the plug from yourgarbage disposal, so it's completely disconnected.
• Unlock the disposal unit by holding the mounting nut and rotating the device clockwise.This should fall downwards into your hand when loosened.
• You should now be able to see the rubber gasket, so remove the old one and place your new one in the exact same position.Make sure it sits flat.
• Reattach the garbage disposal and secure it in place.
• Make sure it is all tightly sealed, and then reattach the water supply and plug. Test the unitto make sure it’s no longer leaking.

Garbage disposals are often connected to a dishwasher so they can safely deal with food waste.A pipeor hoseis used to connect the disposal and thedishwasher,and this can, over time, develop a leak.

If you notice water coming from the side of your disposal, then this is likely the cause, and it’s generally because the hose has become cracked and loose.

If you notice a leak coming from your dishwasherconnection,then you need to replace the hose. You can do thisfairly easily by buying a replacement hose and attaching it to both ends yourself.

image source: omeinspectionms.com

Garbage disposals are usually kept under the sink, and that often doubles up as storage space.If your garbage disposal is knocked, it can impact the seals and pipes connected to itand loosenthem,so they begin to leak. If you can see any visible water drippingfrom the connections andpipes,this is probably what happened.

Look for any pipes or connections out of place and move them into position, using a screwdriver or wrench to tighten them. If the leaking persists, then you can use plumbers putty tocreate a sealing ring.

If your garbage disposal is leaking from the reset button, this usually means there's some severe damage to the disposal, and it's going to be very difficult to repair. There are some options, but generally, they are just quick fixes, and you can't sort the issue yourself at home. You can consult a professional, but it may become costly.

If your garbage disposal is still inwarranty,it may be worth looking at options, but if not, then you will need to look for a new model.

If your garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom and you’ve already tried troubleshooting everything else on thelist,then it may mean there’s a problem with your discharge pipe.This is the large pipe at the base of theunit,and you should be able to see if there are visible signs of wear and tear or any obvious leaking coming from it.

You can use a wrench to try and tighten the flange and see if that stops the issue. If not, you can use a plumber's puttyto change the seal between the discharge pipe and the holding nut on the garbage disposal.

Cleaning your garbage disposalregularly and removing any blockages is the best way to keep it functioning effectively for longer. You can use a paper towel to wipe the rubber ring at the top of the disposal and clean any dirt from the outside.

You can toss ice cubes into the disposal to help the mechanism, and you can even use vinegar or lemon juice to make ice cubes which will dissolve any blockages in the machine. If your garbage disposal does start to smell, you can put cut up citrus fruit and rinds into the machine.

Hard food waste can seriously damage your mechanism and stop your disposal from working correctly.If this does become lodged, then you'll need tounclog your garbage disposalto get it working, which can be tricky. Here’s a full list of whatnot to put in a garbage disposal.

Remember, disposals aren't built to last forever, and even if you maintain them correctly, you may still need toreplace your garbage disposalone day.