WHAT ARE SOME CAUSES OF A GARBAGE DISPOSAL LEAKING?

What Are Some Causes Of A Garbage Disposal Leaking?

If you were unfortunate enough to discover that there is a leak coming from your garbage disposal unit, then you are too late to stop the leak before it started. Once you figure out the cause of the leak, you can be sure to use this information to help you stop leaks in the future and to prevent them.

If you find a leak before it gets worse, then you can at least repair the problem, especially if you want to salvage your garbage disposal unit. Leaks are generally caused by the following:

• The sink flange has a problem

• Too much wear and tear

• The bottom of the garbage disposal

• There is a crack present

• The dishwasher connection

• The discharge drainpipe

Sink Flange- As long as the connection between the garbage disposal and the sink flange is secure, then no leak will be present, but a loosened connection can be the result of worn down plumber’s putty, which can cause a leak. It’s also possible that the mounting bolts that are keeping the garbage disposal tightened to the sink have come loose, which is also causing a leak. Check everything around the sink flange to determine where the leak is coming from before fixing it and reinstalling the unit.

Wear And Tear- You can always expect that they’ll be wear and tear on a garbage disposal when it’s used so often, especially after years of usage. If the unit has worn out so much to where the bolts are loosened or the connections have worn out, then you may find that you’re getting a leak from your garbage disposal.

The Bottom- At the bottom of the garbage disposal is where a lot of people are getting leaks, and this particular leak is the result of the flywheel seal. This seal can deteriorate over time and needs to be replaced if it’s worn enough to where it’s allowing the unit to leak.

If you choose to replace this part on your own, that’s fine, just make sure that the garbage disposal is turned off completely and removed before you do any work to it. Your plumber can also replace the flywheel seal if you don’t feel confident that you can do it on your own.

A Crack- Anything that’s metal can a crack at one point or another, especially if it’s made of metal that rusts. If the garbage disposal is rusted, then more than one crack may be present, which may be the reason why there is a leak coming from your garbage disposal unit.

Dishwasher Connection- The hose used for the dishwasher connection should have a clamp on it that should be very tight, and if it’s loose, that can contribute to the leak, especially if the hose itself has damage and is leaking. Make sure the clamp on the dishwasher hose is tightened, and if necessary, replace the entire hose if it’s leaking.

Discharge Drainpipe- The bolts that keep the garbage disposal and discharge drainpipe together should be tight, and loose bolts may mean that a gasket needs to be replaced to stop the leaking.

The Connections Should Always Be Checked

A garbage disposal unit will have one connection after another to make sure that the unit can take in food and push the food down the drain, and the garbage disposal unit is also connected to the sink as well. All the connections that help the garbage disposal to function and work should be checked when there is a leak, even though a leak may not be coming from the connections themselves.

Although the garbage disposal unit itself can have a leak as opposed to the links, all of the connections should be your first concern because that’s generally where a leak originates from.

Once the connections are examined to determine if they are leaking or not, fix the connection that has a leak, or replace the link if it’s necessary. In some cases, no connection replacements will help, but a complete replacement of the garbage disposal is required.

Taking Precautions Can Eliminate Future Problems

If you use your garbage disposal appropriately, then the likeliness of getting a leak is less likely, especially since many leaks can be caused by misuse of the product. Wear and tear is something that is inevitable with any product, particularly in something like a garbage disposal unit.

When the garbage disposal is turned on, vibrations will shake the unit continuously, making it susceptible to leaks, especially when the vibrations can eventually loosen the plumber’s putty as well as the bolts that are connected to the unit.

If the unit is not used in excess and does not receive foreign objects that should not go into it, then it’s likely that you’ll be able to keep your unit working properly for years.

Once you discover a leak, make it your priority to fix it, especially since it can result in a lot of water ending up on your floor and possibly damaging your wood flooring or other types of flooring you may have in your kitchen.

You know what to put into the garbage disposal as well as what to avoid putting in there, so as long as you avoid putting certain kinds of objects into the garbage disposal, those precautions should be enough to keep the unit from malfunctioning as well as leaking.

Looking For Any Cracks In The Unit

If you know that you have rust inside of your garbage disposal unit, then check for cracks, even if you don’t currently see any leaking. Cracks can be present anywhere in the garbage disposal, and having a crack may require that you replace the unit or send it away for repair. If you’re not certain how to check your garbage disposal unit, then hire a plumber to do so.

Your garbage disposal can work great again by calling Fix it Fast Plumbing in Los Angeles at (805) 623-4417.