A leak can happen for many reasons when it comes to your garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are connected to your sink with either plumbers putty or a flange. This seal can erode and loosen over time. The garbage disposal can also leak if it was hit hard enough. A Lot of times we store things under our sink and over time if we accidently hit the garbage disposal, that too can cause it to leak from loosening it on accident.
The Flange on the Sink
If the sink flange is leaking, this can be a simple fix for a professional plumber. They will need to take down the garbage disposal, clean off the old plumber's putty, and then reseal it. Some garbage disposals only use a flange that is tightened and compressed with screws. You may have replaced this as well. No matter what, this can be a rather big job if you are not familiar with what you are doing. This involves removing and in some cases replacing the drain pipes. We recommend contacting your local, licensed and insured plumbers. Contact Us now. All of our technicians at 1-800-Plumber +Air of Northwest Houston hold all of the proper insurance and licenses so you can rest assured that the job will get done right the first time.
The Sides of the Garbage Disposal are Leaking
The other common place that we see a lot of leaks coming from when it comes to garbage disposals is the side where the drain lines connect to the unit. If you look under your sink at your garbage disposal you will probably see two connection hoses on the side. The smaller of the two hoses is for your dishwasher. That is where your dishwasher drains into your garbage disposal. The larger hose coming out near the bottom is the drain pipe that drains everything out of your garbage disposal into your sewer.
If you have a dishwasher, it is connected to your garbage disposal with a metal clamp. You can always try tightening this with a screwdriver to see if it stops the leak (be careful not to over tighten it). The main drain line is connected with screws as well as a rubber gasket, again you may try to tighten the screws to see if that stops the leaking, you may also have to replace the rubber gasket on the seal. These can break down over time.
The Garbage Disposal is Leaking From the Bottom
Unfortunately if your garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom of your unit, that probably means the seal on the inside of your unit has worn out.
So if your unit is leaking from the bottom, that is probably a sign you will need to replace your unit. If your garbage disposal is still under warranty you can check with the company brand first. On average, garbage disposals last about 5 to 10 years. So if it is older than that, again you will probably have to replace your unit. It usually does not make sense to take apart your unit and try to fix the seal, garbage disposals are not terribly expensive and do not take long to diagnose or replace. Contact Us now if you have any questions or would like to get a quote.
What can I put in my garbage disposal?
First, the name can be deceiving, it is not a trash can. And as such, should not be treated like one. Here we have compiled a list of some do's and don't for your garbage disposal.
Don't put this in your garbage disposal
Fats, Oils, and Grease. Commonly referred to as FOGs. Fats, oils, and grease may start out in liquid form, but they will slowly congeal over time and cause clogs in the water system.
Any type of shells, including eggshells and clam or oyster shells
A large amount of vegetable peels
Corn husks
Artichokes
And many other fibrous foods that can clog your garbage disposal
Some Safe Items That are Okay to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
Small bits of fruit scraps
The little bit of food left on plates
A small amount of vegetable scraps
A small bit of leftovers
Even some ice is okay
Just be wary of overloading your unit.
Need a Garbage Disposal? Call Us 1-800-Plumber + Air of Northwest Houston
Prevention is the best medicine, so take care of your garbage disposal and it will take care of you. Regular maintenance, proper use, and inspecting it often for leaks will help keep your garbage disposal in tip top shape. If you do experience any water leaks or a burst pipe Contact Us today!
A garbage disposal leak is an unfortunate experience, but it doesn't need to be. We at 1-800-Plumber +Air of Northwest Houston can fix your leak or replace your unit. Contact us today if you have any further questions, or call us right now for emergency plumbing services.
Apart from the services we offer, there's a lot that makes us stand out from the rest of the pack. First, we listen! We strive to give our customers exceptional service, which includes listening to your needs. Our technicians will listen and come up with a practical and lasting solution. We encourage our clients to ask questions whenever they need clarification. We also ensure we explain our proposals thoroughly and keep you informed every step of the way. So give us a call today!
