A garbage disposal is a handy device to have when it comes to a kitchen cleanup, but there is always the possibility that it may develop a leak. This is an inconvenience, but it’s also unsanitary, and it’s a great idea to get the leak fixed quickly. In this article, we will show three reasons why your garbage disposal may be leaking.
- A Loose Sink Flange
The sink flange is the part that connects the garbage disposal unit to the sink drain. If the sink flange becomes loose, a leak will form, and this is a common problem. There are two things that you need to check to fix this leak and prevent it from recurring. There are mounting bolts that secure the flange where it attaches to the drain, and these need to be tightly fastened to prevent movement. Then take a look at the putty used to hold the flange to the sink drain, and if it’s compromised, it needs to be replaced. To replace the plumber’s putty, loosen the bolts, remove the old putty, add new putty and tighten everything up again.
- Dishwasher Connection Issues
In many homes, the dishwasher drain pipe is connected to the same drain and the garbage disposal. The dishwasher drain pipe carries away food waste and wastewater into the drain. If the clamp that attaches the drain pipe hose is loose or the hose is cracked, a water leak can form. Make sure the hose is in good shape, replace it if necessary, and ensure that the clamp is secure.
- The Garbage Disposal Unit
The garbage disposal unit is located under the kitchen sink in the vast majority of homes. This makes perfects sense, but this area is also commonplace to store a wide variety of cleaning products and other items. As a busier storage area, it’s common for the garbage disposal unit or the connected lines to be bumped from time to time. In most cases, this will not be a problem, but this kind of contact could damage the unit or knock it out of position. This can easily lead to a leak, and it needs to be fixed quickly before things get worse. Take a look at the garbage disposal, it should be upright, and if it looks out of alignment, it needs to be adjusted. Place the unit back into position and inspect the plumber’s putty seals to ensure they are intact. Reseal the seals if they are compromised and check that the connections and clamps are tight.
In some cases, the water leak may have been caused by an older garbage disposal unit failing. A garbage disposal has a hard life, and the lifespan is shortened if items, such as bones, eggshells, and other hard items are routinely placed in the unit. If you look at the surface of the unit and you can see any wet spots or cracks, it may need to be replaced.
If you notice a water leak and you’re not confident dealing with the problem, contact your
local certified plumber for expert help and advice.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
