If you find your garbage disposal leaking from the bottom, there are a number of possibilities to consider. Unfortunately, the fact that the leak appears to be coming from the bottom does not inherently mean that this is the actual source of the leak. In many cases, this can be true, but it isn’t always going to be the case.
Thankfully, the process of figuring out where the leak is ultimately coming from is fairly straightforward. It is entirely possible that the leak is coming from the bottom of the disposal, but there are several other possibilities that you will want to explore beforehand.
Where Is The Leak Coming From?
A leaky garbage disposal can cause all kinds of problems. More often than not, you’re talking about a pretty easy fix. Nonetheless, there are going to be certain situations in which various factors can serve to make the experience a little more difficult.
Leaks can occur at any given time. Considering how many inlets, outlets, seals, rings, and connections make up your garbage disposal, it certainly isn’t surprising. If you find yourself dealing with this problem, you are going to want to act quickly.
How To Fix Your Leaky Garbage Disposal
When it comes to a leaky garbage disposal, there are four key areas that you will need to be aware of:
• Sink Flange: This is where your sink and disposal unit directly connect to one another.
• Dishwasher Hose: This is where your hose and your disposal are connected to one another.
• Drains: Drainage pipes and your disposal connects at this particular point.
• Bottom: This refers to the water that is actually draining from the bottom of the disposal.
In the end, a disposal that is actually leaking from the bottom likely means the need for an entirely new disposal. Of course, if you are under warranty, this isn’t going to be a big deal. Still, if you do have to purchase a new garbage disposal, you will find that they aren’t too terribly expensive. Furthermore, a new garbage disposal will last you anywhere from five to ten full years.
However, you don’t have to go to that solution straight away. There are other possibilities that you can explore, in addition to simple repairs you can make on your own.
Leaky Garbage Disposal Solutions
The sink flange is one of the most popular culprits for a leaky sink. This is even true when the leak appears to be coming from the bottom of your disposal. The disposal is connected to your sink through a flange. Sometimes, plumber’s putty is used instead, or it is used in conjunction with the flange. Over time, the seal can become corroded, loosening to a significant degree. Sometimes, you can cause the seal to become loosened by hitting the garbage disposal while performing some other task.
Resealing your garbage disposal is the smart solution in this situation. After detaching you’re your garbage disposal, you’ll want to start cleaning off the old putty. You will then reseal. If you have a disposal that only uses the flange with some screws, this may need to be replaced. You will need to remove and replace the drain pipes for this project. It can get a little complicated, so you may want to call in a professional.
Drain lines are another notable culprit to watch out for. This common leak area can occur where these drain lines are connected to each other. The smaller hose represents the part of your disposal that drains water from your dishwasher. That larger pipe you will notice lower down is the drain that goes from your disposal to the sewer. As you can imagine, it isn’t hard for this area to become problematic.
The solution represents an easy-enough fix. You can simply tighten your connections, or have them resealed entirely. Your dishwasher should be connected to your disposal via a metal clamp. Simply tightening the clamp with a screwdriver can alleviate the problem. Barring that, you may need to tighten the screws that connect your main drain line. There is also a rubber gasket on the inside. It may be necessary to replace this item. In some cases, you may need to not only tighten the screws but replace the rubber gasket, as well.
You can also try to find the source of the leak with the following steps:
• Unplug the disposal, making sure to remove any potentials for a shock hazard.
• After getting everything away from the sink, place something under the disposal to catch the leak.
• Place the plug for your sink in your drain.
• After filling the sink to just below halfway, add a few drops of food coloring.
• You can now observe any potential leaks.
• If the leaks are not visible, then you will need to get a flashlight, in order to figure out where the leak is actually coming from.