Call This Friday to Get $35 Off

Sunshine Plumbers Offers Emergency Residential & Commercial Plumbing Services. Hire a Plumber Now.

How to Fix a Garbage Disposal Leak

Mar 13, 2023

How to Fix a Garbage Disposal Leak

If you have noticed a puddle of foul-smelling water under your kitchen sink, there are chances that your garbage disposal is leaking. A leaking garbage disposal can cause a big mess in a short period of time. If left unaddressed for long, it can cause severe water damage in your kitchen and create a thriving environment for mold.

Knowing how to deal with a garbage disposal leak will help you act quickly before the leak causes a huge mess in your kitchen. If you’re inexperienced at handling DIY plumbing tasks, dealing with a garbage disposal leak may seem like quite a challenge. Luckily, most garbage disposal leaks are relatively easy to fix, though some can get a bit more complex. Here at Sunshine Plumbers, we take great pride in providing professional garbage disposal repair and replacement, so we understand how to fix a garbage disposal leak.

Let’s look at the three areas your garbage disposal can be leaking from and how to fix the leaks.

Garbage Disposal Leaking From the Bottom

If your garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom, the possible culprits could be worn-out internal seals or a cracked shell. Installing a new garbage disposal is usually the best option if the leak is at the bottom.

Garbage Disposal Leaking From the Top

A leak at the point where the garbage disposal connects with the sink drain usually points to a loose sink flange. As time goes by, the sink flange can become loose, corrode, and eventually leak water. If the top of your garbage disposal is leaking, detach the appliance and re-seal and tighten the flange. Scrape off the deteriorating plumber’s putty around the top of the flange and reapply new plumber’s putty to the flange. Put the flange back in place and tighten the mounting bolts. If the flange is worn out or bent, you’ll have to replace it with a new one.

Garbage Disposal Leaking From the Side

A leak from the side of a garbage disposal often comes from the drain lines. There are two drain lines connected to your garbage disposal: one connects the unit to the dishwasher, and the other line connects to the sewer disposal line. These drain lines may become worn over time and begin leaking. The simple solution to a leak from the side of a garbage disposal is to tighten the metal clamp that connects the drain lines from the unit to the dishwasher or sewer disposal.

Need Garbage Disposal Repair Or Replacement? Call the Experts at Sunshine Plumbers

A leaking garbage disposal is one of those plumbing problems you can’t afford to ignore because the consequences can be costly. If your garbage disposal is in disrepair and you’re looking for a professional plumber to fix the appliance, get in touch with Sunshine Plumbers. Here at Sunshine Plumbers, we are equipped with advanced tools to perform an accurate diagnosis and make the necessary repairs. Apart from garbage disposal repair, we offer drain cleaning, faucet installation, kitchen plumbing repair, bathroom plumbing repair, leak detection, and more.