How to Fix a Leaking Garbage Disposal

Do you have a leaky garbage disposal? Wondering how you can DIY a solution? In this blog post, we’ll explain how to locate common leaks and detail how to fix them. Read on to find out more about water leak detection for your garbage disposal.

Find the Leak

Before you begin in your quest for water leak detection, turn off your garbage disposal unit at the wall and also turn off the power from the mains control box so you don’t get an electrical shock. The easiest way to find a leak is to put a sink stopper in your skin, then wipe the area dry. Next, mix up some water with some food colouring which will help clearly show up any leaks in the garbage disposal. There are usually three places where a garbage disposal will leak from – the top, the side or the bottom. Using a clean rag will also help show up the food colouring hued water. If you can’t see the leak source, put more coloured water down the drain. Some leaks show when the drain is closed, while some will show more clearly when the drain is open via your sink stopper.

If the Leak is At the Top

In this case, you may need to reseal and tighten the flange. The flange is located inside the sink drain, sealed with putty and kept in place under the sink with bolts. If the putty comes away or the bolts loosen, the watertight seal can be lost. This means that water can escape between the sink drain and the disposal. If you have this problem, you can either solve the problem yourself if you’re handy or call in experts for plumbing leak detection in Berwick.

If the Leak is At the Side

If your garbage disposal is leaking at the side, you might need to tighten all connections and add new gaskets. Make sure you check all drain lines for leaks, especially where the hose meets the dishwasher inlet. It’s possible the metal clamp between them is to blame. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws of the clamp up nicely. Where the disposal intersects with the waste drain pipe, the rubber gasket inside could need replacing. If this sounds too complicated for you, simply call a leak detection plumber in Berwick.

If the Leak is At the Bottom

If the bottom of your garbage disposal is leaking, it might be time to get it replaced. This is because it likely means that one or more seals on the inside of the unit that are meant to be protecting the motor have broken down. Usually if one seal is a problem, there will be others that are not functional either, so it’s best to simply get a new garbage disposal installed. You may wish to call a leak detection plumber in Berwick to help with this process, including replacing your garbage disposal.

Let Us Help You with Plumbing Leak Detection in Berwick

Are you looking for a leak detection plumber in Berwick? Better Plumbing Solutions can help you with a wide range of plumbing issues, including water leak detection. Call us first next time you need assistance with plumbing leak detection in Berwick and other plumbing services.