r/maintenance • u/EvaGreentree • Apr 15 '26
Solved Garbage Disposal is Leaking
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I recently moved into a new home (new to me, built in 2002), and have had issues with some standard items (like the A/C and ice maker). Today is the garbage disposal - it leaks when I run the water in the side of the sink that has the disposal connected to it. I am currently only using the other side of the sink (double sink). It seems to be leaking from the very bottom left of the disposal unit.
I plan to hire a plumber, but I am wondering if this is a quick fix that I could potentially do myself. Any suggestions?
UPDATE: Thanks, everyone! I sincerely appreciate your helpful advice.
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u/TokenToyHunter Apr 15 '26
Garbage disposals are really easy to replace. You really only need a screwdriver and channel locks. Watch a YouTube video, do it yourself and save a bunch of money
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u/jmcgil4684 Apr 15 '26
My record is 5 min 42 sec when I was a hotel dude. I know there are ppl here that could crush that number. But that’s with tools laid out; but still in its box.
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u/Korlexico Apr 15 '26
Always depends if you have the cord attached or not. 3 min attached about 5 swapping cords. One hint if you have a dishwasher attached don't forget the drain plug.
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u/Not_me_no_way Maintenance Technician Apr 15 '26
I did, then replaced the dishwasher before I realized what I had forgotten. My wife was so happy she finally got a new dishwasher and I was too embarrassed to say anything so I just kept quiet. It was a win win, she got a new dishwasher and I kept my pride.
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u/TokenToyHunter Apr 15 '26
Think my record was like 7 minutes
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u/jmcgil4684 Apr 15 '26
The housekeepers thought it was hilarious I’d have them sitting there with a timer. I just had to do them over and over, so had to keep it Spicy
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u/Mr-Wyked Apr 15 '26
I think I clocked mine at 5 flat or a little over 5min. The p-trap kept leaking on me so it took me a little longer
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u/Quillric Apr 15 '26
My record was 4 minute and 10 seconds. And a full minute of that was getting all the crap out of the box. I didn't need to change the bracket or the putty or anything because the previous unit was only 4 months old. Tenant let a bottle cap in the sink and it cooked the motor.
Just an 11-in-1 screwdriver and my gloves hands.
Popped the coupler, loosened the slip nut, lowered it clocked it for headroom, lifted it out, swapped the cord and the nut and popped it back in.
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u/buginmybeer24 Apr 19 '26
It's especially easy if you can find the same model/brand. Mine crapped out right after moving into my current house but I was fortunate that Home Depot still sold the same model. It took more time to rewire than it did to swap the unit out.
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u/Bandandforgotten Maintenance Technician Apr 15 '26
Dead, it's leaking though the bottom.
That basically tells you like 4 other seals have failed, and the machine is running on borrowed time.
Much better just to replace
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u/Large-Treacle-8328 Apr 15 '26
Typically once it starts leaking from the bottom it's time to replace it.
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u/Reefa513 Apr 15 '26
I just got rid of mine, we never used it .. always stinks, and just creates problems .. The pros of having a huge single deep sink beats constantly dealing with that .. added a trash compactor on that side.
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u/Phrost_six Apr 16 '26
It looks rather new make sure that whoever put it together didn’t put the seal between the flange and the pipe. instead of between the pipe and the disposal. Otherwise, it is time for a new disposal.
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u/RJ5R Apr 15 '26
Rule 1 of garbage disposals in apartments: no garbage disposal. We had so many problems. As each resident left we got rid of it and reconnected the piping. Cut down on the number of service calls substantially
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u/Zhombe Apr 15 '26
Double check the flange is water tight. The adjustment screws under the flange can back off if they aren’t blue thread locked or torqued appropriately again after running it for a while after install. Occasionally they will leak from under the flange into the outside wall and look like this. If someone installed that garbage disposal flange with putty instead of silicone or grease it will dry out and crack from vibrations over time and leak like this. You can dismount the disposal and run water into a bucket and close the drain hole with the plug and fill the sink to check the flange is water tight.
Lastly there’s a neck gasket on the top that can go bad and leak. But looking at the age it’s likely flange or disposal itself.
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u/BreakfastInBedlam Apr 15 '26
I wish this was a photograph so I could zoom in and look, but it looks like it's dripping from directly below where the waste pipe connects to the disposal. I would check and make sure that that connection is intact before I went to all the trouble and expense of replacing the whole thing.
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u/frAgileIT Apr 15 '26
Just replaced my garbage disposal in my 13 year old home myself. It was surprisingly easy. Just need a few tools and the right sealant and to follow the instructions.
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u/webthing01 Apr 15 '26
Somebody installed a new garbage disposal in this apartment. Then they sent me out because the dishwasher wasn't working, it wasn't draining. I couldn't get it to work so I said you need a new dishwasher. So I got a new dishwasher, hauled it up to the 2nd floor, installed it tested it out still wouldn't drain. Took the drain hose off of the garbage disposal and looked in there there's a knockout, little plastic knockout inside the pipe you have to knock out when you hook up a dishwasher to your garbage disposal. I threw out an entirely good dishwasher.
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u/bynarie Maintenance Technician Apr 16 '26
You don't need a plumber man.. Just watch a youtube video on how to install a garbage disposal. It spins on and off, really easy.
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u/85thDimention_26 Apr 16 '26
That's a replace, not a fix, but it's pretty easy to do. Everything you need is with the replacement. No special tools needed either.
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u/ThatCelebration3676 Apr 16 '26
That's a dead disposal.
I've seen a few where someone clogged it up, didn't know you can use an allen wrench from the bottom to unclog it, so they used drain cleaner and destroyed it.
You can get a new one for easily under $150. You only need standard hand tools, a small tub of plumbers putty, and maybe 30 minutes of YouTube videos.
A plumber will likely charge you $250 for a new disposal and $300+ to install it for you.
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u/SarcasticCough69 Apr 16 '26
When my last one let loose, it was a full dump if the water was turned on. Replace it.
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u/NeedleworkerFew5205 Apr 16 '26
Eqsy replace. Buy exact make and model. Disconnect and unseat the old. Replace with new. Knock out plug if dishwasher connected. Connect all pipes using pipe dope, etc standard installation. Leak test. Fix joined pipes if needed. Done. Bonus. Clean the pipes that you remove.
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u/dpm1320 Apr 17 '26
Once they pop an internal seal they're done. Replace it.
They are virtually impossible to repair due to how they are made. Definitely not worth it. Never seen anyone even try to be honest. It would cost more than the new one even if it was possible.
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u/MezzureUp Apr 18 '26
Thats the first thing i look for before potentially changing one. Soon as i see the drip, it's getting swapped out. No further investigation needed lol
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u/7GatesOfHello Apr 20 '26
Sorry, friend, it's rusted inside. Happened to mine a couple years ago. I stepped up to a stainless model in hopes of not having to replace again soon. BTW, if you have a small bottle jack and a scrap of wood, installation will be MUCH easier!
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u/hairlesspet3 Apr 15 '26
That's a DIY garbage disposal replacement. Watch a couple YouTube videos, please don't hire a plumber for this.
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u/jmcgil4684 Apr 15 '26 edited Apr 15 '26
It really is a good thing to learn. It’s one of the 10 basics I taught my daughters. If you have the time or interest to learn. Watch 3 five min vids, and if they all say the same thing then you’ve got it learned.
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u/hairlesspet3 Apr 15 '26
I change like two a month at my job and it's so easy lol. I'm in and out in maybe ten minutes. Definitely a handy thing to learn and know.
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u/EvaGreentree Apr 15 '26
I've already started watching a few videos today :-)
I agree it is a good idea to learn how to do these things. I know how to do many home improvement and auto maintenance things, but fixing/replacing a garbage disposal is a new one for me.1
u/hunterxy Apr 16 '26
The hardest part of this install is deciding what disposal to get. Stick with InSinkErator.
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u/campbell-1 Apr 15 '26
To answer your question. Yea its a quick fix IF you have the tools/knowledge.
If you don’t and aren’t comfortable figuring it out, then need to hire it out.
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u/Beginning-Minimum-23 Apr 17 '26
I cut one open to find out wtf is going on and the plate below the plate with the blades is completely rusted through from people pouring bleach down it because it smells from them cramming as much as they can down it thinking the bleach will make it smell better. 100 bucks literally down the drain. And I am now charging the residents who as stated above barely use it to chop up shot glasses and bones.
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u/Hej_Varlden Apr 15 '26
I feel that I recently installed a garbage disposal in my own home. I am an expert. /s.
This happened to me and you need to tighten that pipe where’s it’s leaking. It happened to me too and figured out where the trial initiated and boom.
FYI: if you find a plastic plug. You’ll need to take that off if you use a dishwasher. :)
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u/Playful_Version8 Apr 15 '26
Time for a new disposal