Garbage disposal leaks can be considered to be a small problem to fix. But some factors can make the process complicated at times. Garbage disposals do spring leaks from a countless number of places. It is habitually difficult to locate the part that is causing the leak. Garbage disposals have many inlets and outlets, seals and connections; thus, all these parts could have the potential to spring a leak.
Purchasing a garbage disposal is not a difficult task, but it is important to be on the lookout for the best in the market. There aren’t many garbage disposals to choose from.
Garbage disposal are two types; the batch feed type which automatically turns on when you push a stopper in the drain. The other type of Garbage disposal is the continuous feed and has a button that you can switch on when you run water.
Garbage disposals are also risky, and if not handled and maintained properly can cause you lots of problems. There are simple maintenance tasks that everyone can learn to guarantee your garbage disposal is running well and leak free.
A garbage disposal unit is usually located under the sink. Most people use this space to store extra belongings. Nevertheless, the location of your garbage disposal sometimes makes it difficult to even notice a leak.
How to Maintain a Garbage Disposal
It is important not to put anything hard in your garbage disposal. This is because the blade usually becomes blunt, less efficient or could possibly jam the motor. You should always know the limit of your disposal and at many times, this depends on the price of your disposal.
It is important to have a separate bin to use for items such as hard shells, hard bones, corns and hard fiber. It is also important you avoid putting, glass, metals, cigarettes butt, plastic, paper or rubber inside of your garbage disposal.
It is also important to always cut large items down before putting them into your garbage disposal. In addition, running cold water through the disposal before and after shredding helps to clear the drain of your disposal. You should never use hot water as it can melt the fat and later clog further down the drainage.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly to avoid unwanted smells. You can use ice cubes to clean, as it sharpens the blades and unclogs any debris stuck in your garbage disposal. You can also use vinegar or lemon to clean your garbage disposal. Bleachers and other cleaning chemicals should not be used as they can destroy the pipes and damage the blades.
How to Fix a Leak
Check for corroded or broken pipes. To find the problem you can run the water through the garbage disposal and see whether you can detect where the loose water is coming from.
You can also use colored water if it becomes difficult to locate the leak with clear water. After finding the part, your next step would be to check if the pipe is cracked. If damaged, water will leak from the pipe and not the joint. If you discover that the pipe is actually broken, it will save you a headache by just replacing the pipe instead of fixing it.
You may also check the alignment, it should be tight and straight. If its bent or the joint is angled, then this can be the reason your disposal is leaking. It is usually as a result of loose screws caused by the shaking and grinding of the garbage disposal. Align and straighten the pipes and also re-tighten the screws and bolts.
The washers should also be clean and tight enough. If the washers are not clean, they could be the cause of the leak. The washers should be perfect without any cracks.
Lastly, it is important to check the rubber gaskets where the pipes connect to the garbage disposal. Check to see if the screws are tight, loose, or broken. If they are cracked, replace them with new ones. But if they are loose clean and simply tighten the screws and connect it back to the disposal.
Parts That Can Cause the Leakage
Sink Flange: The sink flange is located in the upper part of your garbage disposal. It connects the disposal to the sink; the flange can cause a leak if properly screwed.
Similarly, if the plumber’s putty fails, the flange will leak as well. To fix this problem disassemble the part where the flange meets with the sink, clean the putty and replace it with a new putty.
Dishwasher Connection: It is connected to the drain pipe from the dishwasher and can also cause a leak. This can be easily fixed just by tightening the clamp or replacing it if need be.
Cracked Body: Your garbage disposal could crack if old or if it’s knocked hard enough. If the body is cracked, you will have to replace your entire garbage disposal.
It is important to check regularly if your garbage disposal is leaking. This you can do by using dry paper towels to see if there is loose water dripping anywhere from your garbage disposal.
Fixing a garbage disposal leak can be difficult to repair by yourself.
To have this problem fixed by a profession that will guarantee your garbage disposal is working properly, call Performance Plumbing Inc., at (636) 334 3999, located in the Wentzville, MO area.