Garbage disposal leaking from bottom. It is very frustrating to see the garbage disposal leaking from the bottom when you open the cabinet under the sink flange to pull out something.
Obviously, you can not ignore this trouble because soon it will pool in the kitchen. It happens to many people their garbage disposal unit starts leaking.
Many reasons are responsible for leaking garbage disposal, but it mostly depends upon the maintenance and care of the kitchen sink, dishwasher, and garbage disposals.
I will explain all my research on this issue that I collected from my experience and the internet, so you can follow this article to troubleshoot this problem by yourself.
If you can not fix the issue, you can hire a plumbing professional to fix the leaking garbage disposal unit.
Garbage disposal leaking from bottom
Garbage disposal is suitable for in-home because you can quickly dispose of your extra wastes in the disposal unit and get rid of the garbage.
However, it’s necessary to maintain your unit because if you put large food items and glass pieces in the new unit, they will hit hard the sides of the garbage disposal and leaks the internal seals, and water starts dripping.
If you see the water leaking from only the bottom, the rubber gasket inside is damaged, and you will have to repair or replace it.
Drain lines are also the main area to check because drain hoses and lines are attached to each other.
Drain pipes also start leaking when they are worn out or there is a clog in the main drain hose, and water starts wandering in reverse order.
Let’s check all the possible reasons for garbage disposal leaking from the bottom and how you can troubleshoot them.
Cracks on the unit
If you inspect the garbage disposal leaking from the bottom, place a bucket underneath the unit to collect dripping water and keep the dry surface.
The cracks came on the unit over time or sometimes due to a crash of big glass that damaged the internal seal.
First, check the wet spots or visible cracks on the sides and bottom of the unit.
If you don’t see any visible damage or broken unit, switch off the garbage disposal and pull out its power cord from the wall outlet to save yourself from electrical shock.
Half-fill the sink by turning on the water and putting a few drops of food coloring or colored water in the water. Now inspect the bottom of your unit and check for any leakage.
You can stop the leaking point with the plumber’s putty. If the water is still leaking, contact a plumbing professional immediately because if you take this trouble lightly, things can go even were for you.
Damaged internal seal
Damaged seals inside the unit are also one of the leading causes of the water leaking from the garbage disposal.
Disposal units use internal seals to secure the motor and stop the appliance from leaking water. With time, these internal seals are broken, making it impossible for them to perform their task.
You can reseal the internal seal with a plumber’s putty. Still, it is better to repair the broken seal from a professional because it’s a big job.
If you are not a professional, you don’t know how to deal with different plumbing problems like how to detach the mounting ring and mounting assembly.
Leaking garbage disposal from drain lines
If the new garbage disposal leaks, this issue is related to the main drain line. You also need to check the dishwasher drain pipe.
If you open the kitchen cabinet under the sink disposal, you will see two drain lines.
The smaller hose attaches the disposal’s dishwasher hose to the dishwasher drain line, and the larger pipe passes through the kitchen wall and attaches the unit to the main drain line or sewerage pipe.
If you have not installed a dishwasher in the kitchen to wash the dishes, then don’t worry about this issue because you can just concentrate on the main drain pipe.
If you see water dripping from the garbage disposal sides, you can repair it by yourself with a screwdriver which can save labor costs.
The water starts leaking when the metal clamp is not tight, and water flows down the garbage disposal side.
Tighten the metal clamp screw with the help of a screwdriver. The water will ultimately stop dripping after tightening the pipe.
Sink flange garbage disposals
A sink flange or plumber putty is used to connect the garbage disposal with the sink.
Over time water starts dripping from it due to corrosion, or it also becomes loose, and in this case, the seal flange is likely the culprit.
Firstly, switch off the unit and pull out the cord of your garbage disposal.
Detach your disposal from beneath your sink drain. You will need a wrench and screwdriver for this purpose.
Disconnect any old plumber’s putty and re-seal with new putty. You can also use a sink flange. A sink flange will secure and squeeze the seal with bolts.
After resealing the damaged area, you can now attach your garbage disposal to its original place.
Reset button
Sometimes, the water starts leaking from the garbage disposal bottom from the reset button.
It happens when one of the internal shell seals that secure the disposal motor has failed, or the shell is broken.
These exposures can make the water from the sink flow into the disposal shell and leak from the appliance bottom.
The leakage from the button can also occur when dust and debris go into it. So, it is suggested to you to avoid coffee grinds and eggshells disposing into the unit because they make a blockage in various parts.
In the same way, don’t try to grind heavy things in the appliance, for the unit has to apply much force.
You can repair the broken shell with putty or change it. You might have to buy a new disposal unit which is terribly expensive if you do not immediately replace or repair the internal shell.
Garbage disposal lasts for five to ten years, and your unit is too old for more than five to seven years.
In that case, it might be time to buy new garbage disposal, but if you have a new garbage disposal, check your warranty card to contact the manufacturer for replacement.
Run cold water in garbage disposal unit
If you are grinding anything in the garbage disposal and you listen to odd noises and see water dripping, run cool water so the garbage flows down to the main drain pipe.
If you have a new garbage disposal, then carefully read the user manual to get information about what type of things are not to dispose of in the unit.
Busted seal
The busted seal is also one of the likely culprits if your garbage disposal leaks from the bottom. The most likely reason is the main disposal itself.
Inner seals are fixed inside the unit to protect it, but they are worn out with time. You can repair the damaged busted seal, but changing the entire disposal unit is better.
Prevent future leaks
If you want to prevent future leaks, use your appliance carefully.
Always grids soft foods waste in the disposal.
Do not put hard food, eggshells, bones, glass items, raw potatoes, caffeine grinds, etc., because these things break the inner seals of the unit.
Always pure cold water before and after disposing of things in the unit.
Inspect your garbage disposal regularly after one month for any leakage.
Conclusion
The bottom line of the article is leaking garbage disposal is a big headache, and you can not ignore it because if your garbage disposal is dripping from the bottom soon, it makes a puddle and pool on the kitchen floor.
It is not easy to buy new garbage disposal, so before you go and purchase new disposal, check the visible cracks on the bottom and replace old putty with a new plumber’s putty on the leaking area.
If you are not skillful, it’s best to hire a plumbing professional to repair the leaking garbage unit; it will be slightly expensive but very effective.
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