A garbage disposal is one of the most convenient tools in your kitchen — until you start noticing water dripping under your sink. Even small leaks can cause unpleasant odors and moisture damage in your cabinets, so it’s important to fix the problem quickly. When you know what to look for, finding and repairing a leaking garbage disposal is a manageable DIY job. And if you’re located in the metro Detroit area, the team at Great Dane is always on hand to help.
Why Is My Sink Disposal Leaking?
Garbage disposals are complex pieces of machinery, which means that leaks can originate in multiple places. Let’s take a look at some common causes.
Damaged Seals
Cracks or holes in your disposal’s seals can create leaks. This is a common issue where the disposal is mounted to the sink and where the pipes and hoses enter the unit. Flanges, gaskets, mounting rings and silicone seals can all fail. In Michigan, this isn’t uncommon after your pipes freeze in the winter.
If the damaged seals are located on the outside of the disposal, they’re usually repairable or replaceable. However, when a seal breaks inside the garbage disposal, you might need a full replacement.
Aging Components
As your garbage disposal gets older, its parts can start to degrade. Rust, vibrations and general wear and tear can break down the components, allowing water to leak out.
Loose Connections
A garbage disposal typically mounts to your sink, plumbing and possibly your dishwasher. If any of those connections are loose, it can cause leaks. Loose or damaged connection points can happen with age, improper installation and the garbage disposal’s vibrations. To prevent this issue in the future, consider adding a tune-up to your home maintenance checklist.
How to Find a Leak in a Garbage Disposal
Before you learn how to repair your leaking garbage disposal, it’s helpful to figure out where the leak is coming from — and why it’s happening. Different types of leaks require different fixes, so by finding the source, you can determine what tools, parts and supplies you need.
Follow these steps to find a leak in a sink disposal:
- Prepare the disposal: Turn off the power to the garbage disposal. Then, dry the garbage disposal, sink, plumbing and the inside of your cabinet.
- Test the top of the garbage disposal: Plug the sink and run water into it. Inspect the garbage disposal for dripping water. If you find any, it probably means the leak is located where the disposal connects to the sink.
- Test the disposal connections: If you don’t see any leaks on the top of the disposal, allow the sink to drain. Inspect the drain pipe running from the sink to the disposal, focusing on the seal between the pipe and the unit. Do the same with the drain hose that runs to the dishwasher.
- Look for other leaks: When you find water leaking from the housing or the bottom of the garbage disposal — or dripping from the bottom of the unit — it could indicate an internal leak. In this situation, you’ll likely need to replace the garbage disposal.
Having trouble finding the leak? Try adding food coloring to the water before you pour it down the drain. Then pat the unit and connections with a paper towel; the color will show up on the paper.
How to Fix a Leaking Garbage Disposal
Once you’ve located the leak in your garbage disposal, you can take steps to fix it.
The exact process will vary based on the type and location of the leak, but you can try this process to start:
- Tighten components: Sometimes, fixing a leaking garbage disposal is as simple as dealing with loose components. Tighten loose bolts, screws, flanges and pipe fittings. You can also tighten the clamp on the dishwasher hose.
- Replace worn or broken parts: If your leak is coming from a gasket, hose or other component, swap the broken item for a new one. Whenever you’re fixing plumbing leaks, make sure all components are tight.
- Fix seals: When your garbage disposal leaks from the top where it’s mounted to the sink, check the sealant. If it’s worn, you can scrape it away and reseal the connection between the flange and the sink.
Each time you make a fix, test it by running water into the sink. If the leak persists, move on to the next step.
Deciding Whether to Replace or Repair a Garbage Disposal
If you’re unable to fix your leaking garbage disposal or you can’t find the source of the leak, it might be time to recruit a professional. A plumber who specializes in water leakage repair can determine why the leak is happening and determine the next steps.
At Great Dane, our experienced team can help you manage a small leak before it turns into a bigger problem. Whether you need water leak repair services or a plumber for a kitchen sink clog, our experienced technicians are ready to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.
