The Ever-Persisting Problem of Garbage Disposal Leaking: All Sorted
If you are one of the thousands of homeowners who have a garbage disposal and it is leaking, then there are a couple of things that you can do about it.
WHY IS MY GARBAGE DISPOSAL LEAKING?
Figure Out the Problem
The first of the things that you require to do is figure out exactly what the problem is. There are a number of various attributes that you can check for when you know what the problem is, but if you are not sure, then you will need to call in a professional to assist you fix the problem.
One of the first things that you need to do is take out the old disposal and look at the inside of it.
There are several attributes that you should be checking on the inside of your garbage disposal leaking, but we will just look at a couple of the main things.
Check the Valve Properly
One of the prior things that you will want to check on is the valve that is on the bottom of your garbage disposal. If you notice that the valve has been cracked or damaged, you will need to replace it.
Another thing that you require to check on the inside of the disposal is if there are any loose wires.
You will probably be able to find these types of loose wires by looking around inside the garbage disposal. If you do notice anything like this, you should make sure that you take care of it immediately.
Take the Further Steps
Another of the things that you will intend to check on when you are trying to figure out what to do about garbage disposal leaking is to make sure that the drainage system is working properly.
If you do notice that the drainage system is not working correctly, then you may have to replace some of the pipes or drain pipes inside the disposal.
You will need to take out all of the plumbing that is inside your garbage disposal as well as checking the floor drain and other drains inside the kitchen. If you are not sure that the drainage is working properly, you will need to call a plumber so that they can come in and figure it out for you.
WHAT CAUSES A GARBAGE DISPOSAL TO LEAK?
A lot of people who use the garbage disposal at home wonder what causes garbage disposal to leak. It is imperative to know the main reasons for such a problem in order to prevent it from getting worse.
To assist you out in your quest to know what causes garbage disposal to leak, here are some factors that can cause garbage disposal to leak.
Worn Out/Broken Gaskets
The main thing that causes garbage disposal to leak is broken or worn out gaskets. If your garbage disposal leaks from any point, then you need to check its gaskets closely. If you find any leaking, you probably have a worn-out gasket.
If you seldom use your disposal, the gaskets tend to loosen up and eventually leak. There are two main reasons for gaskets to wear out. First, they may be damaged by excessive or prolonged use.
Second, they may become loose and start to leak. If you notice either of these problems, it is a sure bet that the gaskets are already wearing out.
Broken/Damaged Seals & Pipes
Broken seals & pipes are other factors that cause gaskets to wear out. Most commonly, they occur due to a broken pipe or leaky valve. As you may expect, this is the most common reason for a garbage disposal to leak.
If the pipes and valves are not properly sealed, moisture can easily accumulate and create pressure, which eventually leaks. Seals & pipes can also get damaged due to water leakage.
It is not uncommon to see leaky gutters when you are dealing with excess rainwater. This is a very usual reason why the pipes of garbage disposal are worn out.
Split/Cracked/Clogged Body
Now that you know the main reasons for a garbage disposal to leak, it is time to identify the factors that can cause a buildup of dirt and grease inside the disposal.
This is when most of the people get into trouble. They may think that the dirt and grease build-up is harmless. But you should know that such types of build-up are extremely dangerous to the machine. Once dirt & grease build up accumulate, they will gradually wear out the grease seal over time.
The grease and dirt inside the system will begin to block the pipes and cause the machine to leak. The solution to this is to take proper maintenance. It is recommended that you clean the machine on a regular basis in order to make sure that the dirt and grease do not accumulate.
Unnecessary Debris Collection
Another common cause of garbage disposal to leak is if the filters or pumps get clogged with debris. In this case, you will need to perform regular cleaning in order to keep the clot from forming and prevent the garbage disposal from leaking.
If you do not want to have to spend time on the job, there are many professional services available that can do the job for you. They can remove the clog and replace it with a new one, which will solve the problem.
It is important to remember that a clogged garbage disposal can cause serious problems for your household. If the machine does not release the right amount of water, you can end up with a clogged drain.
If you do not drain the machine often, you can run the risk of causing the drain line to clog permanently. This will be a major inconvenience and may require the replacement of your machine. There are also issues that will develop that cause a gasket to get blocked, such as rusting.
If you have an established clog and want to avoid any problems, it is best to hire a professional service to get the problem fixed. It may cost you more money than you expected, but it is worth it.
HOW TO FIX LEAKING GARBAGE DISPOSAL?
What happens if you have a garbage disposal leaking? It can be quite a hassle because the waste can clog up the pipes of your garbage disposal and can cause a lot of trouble.
Check the Filter & Clean the Dirt
The first thing you need to do when you have a garbage disposal leak is to check the filter. If it is seen damaged, you will need to replace it. The last of the things you want to do is to risk the health of your family and the environment because of your garbage disposal.
To repair clogged waste disposal, you should first do a thorough cleaning of the area where the waste is stored.
Remove the Residue Properly
After you have cleared all the dirt and debris from the surface of the drains, you should clean it thoroughly using a detergent.
You also need to remove all the food residue, grease, and other particles that have accumulated in the drain.
Check If the Drain is Blocked
Now that you are capable of tackling the problem, you need to make sure that there is no water or any liquid on the area where you are working. If there is any water, then you need to make sure that it is drained properly.
If the drain is blocked, then you need to get rid of the blockage by using a plumber’s hose.
Check Any Broken Parts
After that, you need to take apart your trash disposal. You need to check for any broken parts. In case there are any broken parts, then you need to replace them. Also, you need to check the safety mechanism to see if it is working properly.
You need to check if garbage disposal leaking from bottom, top, or middle. Also, you should know the basics about maintaining garbage disposal leaking from bottom screw. Implement the tips that you have learned regarding how to fix the leaking garbage disposal from bottom, top, or middle.
Try to Dislodge the Clog (If Any)
You can perform a simple repair job for fixing a clogged garbage disposal. You just need to remove the trap door and remove the old trap.
You should then slide out the trap with the help of a trap wrench a few times until you are able to dislodge the clog.
Check the Associated Connections
When this is done, you need to remove the drain and the trap and check to see if it is connected properly.
You should then reinstall the trap and slide it back in the trap opening so that it is perfectly positioned to avoid any problem.
Use a Screw Driver to Sort the Issue
To do a repair job on your garbage disposal, you can use the screwdriver in order to pry open the drain cover and remove the trap. With the help of the screwdriver, you can then slide the tray back into its hole and reconnect the drain to its proper place.
For fixing a clogged drain, you should always use the same tool to open the trap door before you close the trap to prevent any damage. If the clog isn’t too big, you may need to fix the clog yourself. However, if the clog is quite big, then you may need to hire a professional to repair the problem.
Collect All the Tools Before Getting to Begin
Before you start repairing your garbage disposal, you should, first of all, prepare the tools that you need in doing the repair job. You require to get sure that you have all the tools and materials that you will need for performing the repair job.
These tools include a screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screwdriver, and screwdriver extension, screwdriver tip, and a socket wrench.
Before you begin the repair job, you should turn the power off on your garbage disposal. And then remove the trap cover so that you can get a good view of the trap to find out if the clog is too big to be fixed yourself.
To fix a clogged garbage disposal, you should use the same tools that you used when you removed the trap to take the drain off.
If the clog is big, you should then insert the screws so that you can loosen the clog. Once the clog is loosened, you need to remove all the screws from the trap.
PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID GARBAGE DISPOSAL LEAKING
You do not have to be a very smart individual to know what precautions to take when cleaning out your garbage disposal.
In order to saving yourself some money, it is highly recommended that you first check for any obvious signs of a serious malfunction or problem with your unit before calling a service technician.
This is not to be said that you must always ignore these signs or call the technician if you find anything odd in the garbage disposal. The point here is to provide you with a simple list of precautions that will help you identify potential problems.
Don’t Be Suspicious, Just Check
The first of the things that you can do when you suspect that your garbage disposal may be leaking is to open the trash can and make sure that there are no leaks.
Remove the Valve and Check Signs or Wear & Tear
If you do find that the leak is in the system itself, you are in luck as there are some of the simple steps that you can take to get your garbage disposal working right again.
One of the first attributes you need to do is get a can opener to take apart the can itself. You will then require to remove the valve covers and check for signs of wear and tear.
Don’t Avoid Early Signs Shown by Disposal
Some units may need to be serviced more often than others, so you need to determine this before calling a service technician. If you notice signs of rust or signs of corrosion on the parts, you may want to get your garbage disposal serviced by a professional repair technician.
A professional service technician will have the appropriate equipment and tools that will allow them to inspect your unit & determine if there is any damage to the motor or control panel.
If your garbage disposal is leaking due to a broken control valve or a clogged trap, the next of the steps that you require to take is to shut down the garbage disposal off. Make sure that the disposal is off and not running before calling a service technician.
Most units require you to turn off the water and gas and remove the control box. You also need to ensure that your garbage disposal drain plug is closed and that the trash container is empty.
