Having a garbage disposal unit in your Maryville, IL home allows you to get rid of select food waste easily into your sink. This does add some convenience to your kitchen cleanup, there is a chance of it possibly leaking. Garbage disposals can leak for many reasons, but here we have the most common causes of these leaks and where they stem from.
Leaking From the Top
Your sink flange is the piece of sink that connects the garbage disposal to the sink drain Garbage disposals are typically connected to your sink via the flange and with plumber’s putty. Leaks can commonly occur here when the connection between the flange and drain are not tight enough or the connection has corroded over time. Here’s what to do if you think your connection is failing:
- Check the plumber’s putty: If the plumber’s putty that helped seal your garbage disposal in place has been compromised there is a simple solution. Simply loosen the bolts, add new plumber’s putty, and then retighten the mounting bolts.
- Check the mounting bolts: The mounting bolts connect your flange to the drain, so double check to make sure they are fastened tightly.
Leaking From the Side
In many instances, the drainpipe from the dishwasher is connected to the garbage disposal. This drainpipe will remove all of the excess food debris and water from the dishwasher into the garbage disposal. Things to check to see if they are the cause of possible leaking include:
- Inspect the hose: Look for any dried-out areas or cracks in the hose connecting your garbage disposal to your dishwasher. If this hose is compromised, we suggest replacing it before you run your dishwasher again.
- Double-check the clamp: The main drain line is connected by screws and a rubber gasket on the inside. Sometimes the screws become loose, so to ensure the clamp is connected properly, we suggest tightening the screws.
Leaking From the Bottom
Depending on the use and age of your garbage disposal, it could be worn out. This can lead to internal damage, which can lead to leaks. If your garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom (not just dripping from a higher area) the cause is most likely the disposal itself. There are some internal seals that can wear down over time, which leads to leaks and disposal failure. Some things to check for in case of bottom leaks include:
- Checking for shifts in your disposal’s position: Garbage disposals like underneath the skink alongside storage space for cleaning supplies. If the disposal has been bumped or knocked it could cause it to be shifted out of place. Make sure that your garbage disposal is upright and is properly realigned. Double-check that the seals and plumber’s putty are properly sealed and if not reseal them.
- Inspect your disposal unit: Look for any wet spots or cracks on the body of the unit. If there is a crack, you will, unfortunately, need to get the entire unit replaced.
We know that fixing a garbage disposal leak isn’t always a difficult task. However, if you are unsure, make sure to contact the professionals. When your garbage disposal or sink needs to be repaired, contact us at Darwyn’s Plumbing to make sure the job gets done the first time.
