Whether your garbage disposal is leaking from the top, the side, or the bottom, it needs to be an immediate priority to resolve the issue, before any permanent or costly damages can occur. Continue below to learn why your garbage disposal is leaking, and what you can do to fix the problem, correctly and cost-effectively.
Top Causes of Garbage Disposal Leaks
There are many reasons why garbage disposals leak, from incompatible plumbing fittings to improper installation. But the top causes of a leaking garbage disposal are generally loose sink flanges, damaged or detached drain line connections, and damaged internal seals. Be sure to routinely clean and service your garbage disposal by a licensed and certified and trusted plumber to prevent major issues such as these. More importantly, if you notice garbage disposal leakage, act fast, immediately in fact, because small water leak can quickly turn into a disaster.
Garbage Disposals That Leak from the Top
The most common cause for a garbage disposal that leaks from the top is a loose sink flange. Fortunately, this is a minor and quick fix, so long as you know what you are doing, or you hire a professional to do it for you. A sink flange is a component that connects the garbage disposal to the sink. Sometimes, the plumbers’ putty can wear away, causing the flange to become loose. To fix, loosen the bolts, add some more plumbers’ putty around the seal of the sink flange, and then tighten the bolts back up. If you see that there is plenty of putty, simply check that the bolts are tight enough, as this could be the overall cause of the loose flange.
Garbage Disposals That Leak from the Bottom
A damaged, cracked, or worn out internal seal is the common cause of a bottom-leaking garbage disposal. In this case, it means that the garbage disposal is the component that needs repaired. If the water is leaking from a crack on the outside of the garbage disposal, it cannot be repaired, and instead, the entire unit must be replaced. Sometimes, the disposal unit gets shifted around as a result of storing items underneath the sink. Check that is it properly aligned, and make any necessary adjustments to put it back into its place.
Garbage Disposals That Leak from the Sides
A side leak on a garbage disposal unit typically indications a poor or lost drain line connection. In many residential kitchen systems, it is common for a dishwasher to be connected to the garbage disposal via a drainpipe, which directs all the collected debris and dirty water out of the house after the dish washing cycle. In some cases, the metal clamp that keeps the drainpipe in place can come loose or detach if the screws and rubber gasket sealing the pipe loses adhesiveness. Check this metal clamp to see if this is what’s causing your garbage disposal to leak. Tighten them back up with a screwdriver, and then check to see that the actual hose to ensure it has not been torn or compromised in any way.
Where to Get Trusted Plumbing Service and Garbage Disposal Repair in Indianapolis
Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional garbage disposal repair and water leak repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to provide free estimates, free advice, and a wide range of affordable plumbing services for residential and commercial properties, including full-service plumbing inspections to ensure you are protected against water leaks and do not have any current or impending water damage. Request a free estimate, today.
