What Causes a Leaking Garbage Disposal and How to Fix?
As it plays a very vital role in most households by making the act of getting rid of food waste easier, the garbage disposal is formed as one of the essential kitchen appliances. Like any device, though, it may have its problems, one of which is leaking, and this can be quite frustrating.
If your garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom or maybe leaking at the top or side, fixing it fast is quite important before it causes other problems. This article will discuss why garbage disposals leak and it will walk you through the steps of how to repair them.
Fighting Food Waste: Strategies to Use Food Properly
What is a Garbage Disposal?
The garbage disposal is a setup installed under any kitchen sink. It grinds up the food leftovers into very small pieces that can now flow unhampered down your pipes without creating any blockages. In this respect, it comes in quite handy since it handles a great portion of organic waste that would normally go into the landfills and it makes your kitchen-cleaning task easy.
What does it do?
The garbage disposer's primary function is to chop up food wastes so that it can be flushed down the drain without clogging up your pipes. This device has blades or impellers that spin at very high speed, breaking down the waste into small bits, which are then washed away with running water. When working correctly, it is quite an effective and eco-friendly way of waste management.
Possible Causes of Water Leakage in a Garbage Disposal
If you have come to realise that water is leaking out from the bottom or most areas of your disposal, several factors might be at play. Knowing these will therefore give you a chance to identify the issue faster.
Clogging or loose connection due to incorrect installation
One of the most frequent issues that lead to a leaking garbage disposal is due to improper installation. If the disposal wasn't mounted properly, you could see leakage from not only the connections that connect the plumbing and power but also the unit itself. That could cause leakage out the sides or even at the seals if the unit vibrates enough while running to gradually loosen the fittings.
Internal Damage
There are a few internal components of a garbage disposal, which includes blades, seals, and motors that are subject to wear out or even damaging. Over time, these can degrade and eventually cause a garbage disposal to leak from the bottom or elsewhere. If water finds its way in due to the damage caused by these blades inside the unit or a crack in the internal chamber, it will look for its way out, most often appearing as a leak at the bottom.
Mould and wear
If the mould grows inside the disposal or plumbing it may also lead to leak. As moisture builds up, seals and other components are weakened, causing the unit to fail. Leaks may also result from wear and tear of units from normal usage, especially in older units in which materials have started to degrade.
Worn or Damaged Seals
The seals in your garbage disposal are what keep the water to escape at bay. With time, such seals wear out, develop cracks, or even get loose—particularly in areas where the disposal is mated to the sink or the drain pipe. If your garbage disposal sink is leaking, it's probably due to worn or damaged seals.
Signs of a Garbage Disposal Leak
Early identification of the leak can prevent more serious issues down the line. Common signs will include pooling water under the sink, a musty smell indicating mould or mildew, or dripping water from the bottom or sides of your disposal unit. If you see any of these signs, then it may be time to inspect your garbage disposal for potential leaks.
How to fix garbage disposal leaking
Fixing your garbage disposal depends mostly on where the leak is coming from. Below are the necessary steps you can take to fix leaks that are coming from different parts of the unit:
Water Leaking From the Bottom
If your garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom, it might mean that it has internal damage like cracked casing or worn-out seals. Here's how you fix it:
Turn Off Power: Be sure to unplug the unit to prevent electrical shock.
Check for Cracks: Check the very bottom of disposal for visible cracks or other damage.
Replace Unit: If your disposal's casing is cracked, then it is probably better to replace the unit since internal parts can be very difficult to repair.
Check the Motor Seal: Sometimes, the leak can be caused only by a worn out seal, in this case you can simply replace the motor seal. This, however, is a little more intensive type of repair.
Leaking from Bottom
If you find that your unit leaks from the bottom, this might also be caused by a loose or worn seal where disposal connects to the sink or the plumbing:
Check Flanges and Gaskets: Tighten any loose flanges or replace worn gaskets.
Seal the Unit: Apply plumber's putty around the sink flange to seal it watertight.
Check for Leaks: Once parts have been tightened or replaced, run water through the unit to check that the leak has been repaired.
Side Leak
Most side leaks are due to loose connections in the plumbing or at the dishwasher drain connection to the garbage disposal. To repair a side leak:
Inspect connections: Take a minute to tighten the hose clamp and screws around the dishwasher connection or other plumbing connected to your disposal.
Replace damaged hoses: In case the hose or pipe is cracked or otherwise damaged, then it is time to replace it with a new one.
Use Teflon tape: Follow the threads of the connections with some Teflon tape; this will make sure the seal is tight.
Tips for Preventing Future Garbage Disposal Leaks
"Prevention is always better than cure"—the same adage that holds true for maintaining your garbage disposal unit. Here are a few more tips to prevent these leaks from happening in the first place:
Regular Maintenance: Check on your disposal regularly to clean it out and to prevent build-up and wear.
Proper Installation: Ensure correct installation of the disposal unit with secure connections.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Avoid strong drain cleaners, for they might damage the components in your disposal unit.
Watch for Early Warning Signs: Some early warning signs to look out for are unusual noises or slight drips, and then the action is to correct accordingly.
Understanding why your garbage disposal is leaking and what you can do to correct and prevent these conditions will help extend the life of your unit and keep your kitchen running smoothly.
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