Having a garbage disposal allows you to dispose of (select) food waste conveniently in your sink. Even with this extra convenience, though, there is the possibility of it leaking. So, you may find yourself asking, why is my garbage disposal leaking? At Five Star Plumbing, your local plumbers in Harford County, we have dealt with garbage disposal issues of all kinds. Today we’ll look at the most common culprits as to why this may be happening.
My garbage disposal is leaking from the top
Likely cause: A loose sink flange
Your sink flange is the piece that connects the garbage disposal to the sink drain. Garbage disposals are typically connected to your sink via the flange and plumber’s putty. Leaks commonly occur here when the connection between the sink flange and the sing drain isn’t tight enough or the connection has corroded over time. There are steps you can take though if you suspect your connection is failing.
- Check the mounting bolts. Your mounting bolts connect the flange to the drain. Make sure they are tight.
- Check the plumber’s putty. If the plumber’s putty that helps seal your disposal in place has been compromised, simply loosen the bolts, add new plumber’s putty, and then re-tighten the bolts.
My garbage disposal is leaking from the side
Likely cause: Drain line connection
Most times, the drain pipe from the dishwasher is connected to the garbage disposal. This will remove any excess food debris and water from the dishwasher into the garbage disposal.
- Check the clamp. Your main drain line is connected by screws and a rubber gasket on the inside. If the metal clamp connecting your dishwasher to your garbage disposal is loose, you can try to tighten it with a screwdriver.
- Inspect the hose. Look for any cracks or hard, dried out areas in the hose connecting your dishwasher to your garbage disposal. If your hose is compromised, replace it before running your dishwasher again.
My garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom
Likely cause: A busted internal seal
Depending on the age and use of your disposal, it could be worn out, leading to internal damage. If your disposal is leaking from the bottom (and not simply dripping from an area higher up), the cause is usually the garbage disposal itself. There are internal seals that can wear out over time, leading to leaks and disposal failure.
- Inspect the body of your garbage disposal. Look for any cracks or wet spots on the body of the unit. Unfortunately, if the disposal is cracked, the entire unit likely needs to be replaced.
- Check for shifts in your garbage disposal’s position. Garbage disposals live underneath the sink alongside most of the cleaning supplies in your home. If the disposal has been knocked or bumped, it could have shifted out of place. Ensure that the disposal is sitting upright, and if it has shifted, realign it. Then inspect the seals and plumber’s putty, resealing it if necessary.
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Five Star Plumbing has been locally owned and operated since 1991. We commit to honesty, responsiveness, and integrity to every job we take on. We’re available 7 days a week, with no overtime charges. We service both Baltimore County and Harford County residents.