Wondering why your garbage disposal is leaking? You’ve come to the right place. A leaky garbage disposal can happen for many reasons—and most of them are common and nothing to worry about.
However, before deciding whether to tackle it on your own or call a plumber, it’s important to know what caused the leak.
Keep reading to understand common causes of leaky garbage disposals and how to fix it!
Understand What Your Disposal Can Handle
A garbage disposal is a convenient appliance for quick discarding of food scraps. However, there’s a limit to what a disposal can handle.
The following items should never be put into a garbage disposal:
- Coffee grounds
- Bread
- Bones
- Egg and nut shells
- Fruit pits
- Stringy/fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as bananas
- Grease and fat
These items, among others, can overwork your disposal and lead to plumbing problems, like a leak. Avoid discarding these items in order to prevent damage to your disposal.
If The Leak is Coming From The Top
If your disposal is leaking from the top, it’s possible that the seal is weak or the flange is loose. Check to ensure that all the bolts are tight. If the issue isn’t loose bolts, try adding some plumber’s putty to secure the flange.
If the leak continues, it may be because the rubber gasket is tattered or cracked and needs to be replaced. A plumbing professional can help with that.
If The Leak is Coming From The Side
A leak from the side of a disposal is typically a sign of loose drain lines.
There are two drain lines connected to your disposal system—one allows the dishwasher to drain into the disposal, and the other drains waste from your disposal into your sewer. These pipes are connected by a metal clamp.
To fix this issue, tighten the screws of your metal clamp or replace the rubber gasket. This is typically pretty simple, but if you’re unsure how to do this properly, it’s best to call a professional.
If the Leak is Coming From the Bottom
If the source of the leak is at the bottom, the cause is likely a deteriorated seal within the unit or a crack in the shell. Typically, a leak at the bottom occurs around a disposal’s reset button.
A disposal leaking from the bottom should be fully replaced, since the disposal itself is the issue as opposed to just the connections. That’s why you should call a professional as soon as possible to get this problem taken care of.
Still Can’t Find Our Why Your Garbage Disposal is Leaking? Call Supreme
Leaky garbage disposals can wreak havoc if the issue goes unresolved for too long. To prevent damage to your system, count on a skilled plumber to handle it; count on Supreme.
Call us today for help with a faulty garbage disposal!
