How to Fix a Leaky Garbage Disposal

Even the most trustworthy garbage disposal will develop a leak from time to time. Do not worry, it can very easy to fix your leaky garbage disposal.

We are stressing the “fixing” part because even though your food waste disposer has developed a leak, it does not necessarily mean that it needs to be replaced. Doing a little bit of investigating and troubleshooting before deciding to run out and buy new garbage disposal can mean the difference between spending $10.00 for a replacement and $100.00+ to replace the entire unit. It also means that you would not have to go through the trouble of finding another garbage disposal that would fit your dishwasher.

Why is my garbage disposal leaking?

There could be a lot of reasons behind this problem. In fact, the leakage can be observed from various parts of the unit. Hence, you may have to check on several parts before you can determine the source of the leak. You have to cover all the possibilities. By that, it is meant that these parts can include the drainpipe, gasket, flange, and even the plumbing. Do all these terms sound foreign? Do not disappear, we have images that can help you identify them.

​How to Fix a Leaking Garbage Disposal?

​Depending on where you can see the leakage, the troubleshooting will also vary. That being said, here are some of the things you can do based on the specific source of the problem. Follow our step-by-step indications below and you will be able to fix your leaky garbage disposal.

​Garbage Disposal Is Leaking from the Top

​Leaking Flange

​The uppermost portion of garbage disposal is referred to as the sink flange. It is the point where the sink drain and garbage disposal meet one another. There are multiple reasons why it might develop a leak.

For example, the mounting bolts that secure the flange in place might not be tight enough. In total, there are three mounting bolts that you should make sure are secure.

Alternately, the plumber’s putty might have failed. To replace the putty, the retaining bolts must be loosened. After a gap has formed, new putty must be forced between the pipe and flange. The bolts should then be retightened to secure the putty into place.

For more details on how to do it check Home Depot’s website offers an excellent step by step guide on how to repair a leaking sink flange, which can be helpful.

​Loose Seals or Pipes

The bulk of a food waste disposer system, which includes the seals and pipes, is located beneath the kitchen sink. Most homeowners use this space to store various items, and it is not uncommon for people to bump or jar the disposal’s pipes when reaching for an item that is in close proximity. This is quite a common cause, so do not worry.

If the pipes are struck hard enough, the pipes can shift so that they are no longer sitting properly. Such a hit could lead to some retaining bolts becoming loose. Pipes may move, and seals can shift into an awkward position that may impede their proper usage.

If your garbage disposal develops a leak, check to ensure that nothing has been knocked out of place. Look to see where the leak has developed. After that, you can tighten the retaining bolts. If the leaking still continues to occur, then you will more than likely need to replace the sealing ring or the plumber’s putty, because there is no other solution in that case.

​Leaking Gasket

Step-by-Step

Take a moment to locate the source of your garbage disposal’s leak. If the leak has developed at the top rim where the rubber seal is mounted to the flange, then the potential cause of your leak could be the garbage disposal’s oversized rubber gasket. This is most especially in the cases where the parts were not made by the same brand.

Often enough, when rubber gaskets age, they can develop leaks. The gasket can dry up, crack, and leak when it is repeatedly exposed to long periods of disuse where no water is present in the drain pipe. Should older garbage disposal be removed and then placed back, it will require a new rubber gasket to again achieve a watertight seal. Moreover, if a gasket is not evenly locked on all three sides, then it will develop a leak.

However, the good news is that a leaking gasket can be easily replaced. Most home improvement or local hardware stores will carry them, and they are usually inexpensive. But, depending on the particular model of your garbage disposal, it may require a specially fitted rubber gasket. Which could be especially difficult as you may not know how to make the right choice. That is why, in order to ensure that you get the right gasket the first time, write down your garbage disposal’s model number. Take it with you to the store. Then, ask an employee there to match it up for you. They will know how to help you.

Replacing a Rubber Gasket

To replace a rubber gasket, your first step will be to unplug the cord to the garbage disposal and then disconnect the drain. You may have a dishwasher installed in your kitchen. In that case, the dishwasher drain hose will need to be disconnected from the disposer.

Then, with the cord and appropriate drain lines removed, you can now grasp the sides of the mounting nut. Then proceed to twist it in a counter clockwise motion, which unlocks the garbage disposal. The waste disposer should then drop right down. Just like that!

You are almost there. You will only have to place the garbage disposal on a wide, clean work surface. After that, you should locate the rubber gasket. The old gasket must be peeled off. Then, you can apply the new gasket. It should be mounted in the same spot, where the old one had been.

Take extra care to make sure that it sits flat and that it pops into the lip. Press it with your fingers around it to check it. Now you are ready to re-install your garbage disposal. Plug the cord back in reconnect each of the drains. In that way, you will test to make sure that there are no more leaks.

​Garbage Disposal Leaking from the Side

​Dishwasher Connection

Modern food waste disposers are often connected to your dishwasher’s drain pipe. It is important to be like that. This connection enables your dishwasher to rid itself of any leftover food scraps or residue that it might accumulate while washing your dishes. It is easier.

But, because of this assemblage, often enough it can happen to appear a leakage problem at the crossroad of the pipes. Where the dishwasher hose and the garbage disposal connect is a common source for leaks. The leaks most often occur when the hose’s clamp is not secure enough. Leaks also develop when the dishwasher hose cracks. In order to fix this type of leak, you should either replace the cracked section of hose or tighten the clamp down. After you have done make sure to check from time to time if any leakage spot appears anymore.

​Garbage Disposal Leaking from the Bottom

In that case, this is what you should look for:

​Cracks In the Disposal Body

Last, but not least, as your garbage disposal system begins to age, it grows susceptible to cracking along its interior lining. When this shell develops cracks, water will begin to appear at its seams. At times, the leak can be observed from the bottom of the unit, particularly from the reset button.

Unfortunately, if this is the cause of your garbage disposal’s leaks, then there is no method of repairing other than replacing the whole unit.

​Leaking Garbage Disposal Prevention

Although your garbage disposal will eventually succumb to wear after a few years of use, it’s always better to keep it in its best condition for as long as possible. That is why take as a first solution the fixing and not the replacing. Proper usage and preventive measures will help make that happen.

Make sure that you only grind food scraps that your unit is designed for because no matter how powerful your disposer is, it still has its limits. Another thing you can do before and after using your disposer is to run cold water through your sink drain. This process will help keep the solid fats from coagulating into gunk.

Thanks for reading – I would love to hear your comments below.

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Last update on 2022-10-02 at 20:59 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API