5 Causes of a Garbage Disposal Leak

A garbage disposal leak is something that can be fixed rather easily. One of the problems associated with a garbage disposal leak is determining where the actual leak is coming from. There are several areas on a garbage disposal where leaks occur. Because there are multiple inlets, and outlets, there are different reasons for a leak to occur. Several of the different connections, seals, and rings can have a leak at any given time. Here are some causes of a garbage disposal leak to help you troubleshoot your own disposal unit. 

Leaks at Sink Flange

The uppermost portion of the garbage disposal is a sink flange. This is the part where the disposal meets the sink drain. It can have a leak from a few different reasons. The first is because of the mounting bolts not being tight enough. There are three of them and they should all be tightened securely. Another reason is that the plumber's putty has failed. In order to replace the putty you will need to loosen up the retaining bolts and force some putty in between the flange and the pipe. 

Leaks at Dishwasher Connection

Some garbage disposals are also connected to the drain pipe of the dishwasher. This is to get rid of any of the left over food that is removed from the plates and pans. The leak can be caused by a leak in the hose where the disposal connects to the unit. It can also be caused by the clamp not being secure enough. In order to fix this you should tighten the clamp down on the hose or replace the section of cracked hose. 

Leaks at Discharge Pipe

On the bottom of the garbage disposal is the discharge pipe that goes into the drain of the sink. It is connected through a flange and a seal. Both of these may have failed or become loose. Tighten the flange with a plumber's wrench to make sure that is not the problem. If the bottom unit still leak then you will need to replace the seal that is located between the pipe and the retaining nut. 

Crack in Body of Disposal

As the garbage disposal gets older it is susceptible to cracking in the interior shell. When the shell cracks then water will begin to come out of different areas where there is a seam. If the inner shell of the garbage disposal is cracked then the disposal unit will need to be replaced. 

Not Properly Seated

Since the garbage disposal is under the sink there is a tendency to hit the unit when reaching in for other items. If the disposal is hit hard enough it can move it in such a way that the disposal unit is not sitting right. The pipes can be moved, the seals can be pressed in an awkward position, or the retaining bolts can loosen. Check to see where the water is coming from and tighten up the bolts. If this does not fix the leak, then you will need to replace the putty or the sealing ring.