Help! My Garbage Disposal is Leaking from the Reset Button

Leakage from the reset button of the garbage disposal generally indicates an internal damage that is beyond repair. Although it is possible to seal the defective part, this is a short-term solution. This is because internal seals of the appliance will keep busting and you will have to keep repairing. Therefore, it’s best to change the entire unit to avoid all the hassle.

You can watch the following video to fix garbage disposal when the reset button is not working.

Why is it NOT Possible to Repair this Damage?

If a garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom, it’s highly likely that its metal plate is damaged. This plate is located under the blades and is positioned there to prevent the moisture from reaching the electrical parts. The reason why we can’t repair any damage to this plate is its design. Therefore, you have to replace the entire garbage disposal if this part of the unit is damaged.

Galvanized Plate of Garbage Disposal

Generally, this specialized plate is made from galvanized steel and is kept quite thin for maximum efficiency. One of the things that can cause some serious damage to this plate is a highly acidic cleaner. A lot of people use such products for cleaning purposes. The acid in these cleaners corrodes away the zinc layer that exposes steel to the moisture.

Consequently, the steel starts to corrode and this weakened material can be damaged easily, by a hard object. Because this plate shields electrical components (like rotor), any damage to it means that water can reach those parts. Therefore, replacing the disposal unit will also prevent you from an electrical hazard.  

How to Detect the Source of the Leakage?

More often than not, it seems that the water is leaking from the bottom of the garbage disposal. This is NOT true in all the cases because the disposal unit can leak from other places as well. Therefore, we need to identify the exact location of the leakage before beginning the repairing process. You can use the following instructions to safely detect the source of the leak.  

• Turn off the garbage disposal and unplug the unit.
• Remove everything from beneath the sink and place a bucket there to collect water and bits of food.
• Stop-up the sink drain, turn on the tap, and fill the sink with a few inches of water.
• Place a few drops of bright food coloring in the water. This will help you to locate the leak.
• Remove the stopper and examine all parts of the drain (including garbage disposal and dishwasher hose) for the leak.

How to Prevent Garbage Disposal Leaks?

Precaution is always better than cure and you must follow this golden principle to save your garbage disposal from leaking. You need to ensure regular maintenance of the disposal unit to avoid problems in the first place. It’s not a time-consuming process and can offer you a lot of benefits. In addition to timely clean ups, you can also use the following guidelines to save your garbage disposal from leaking.

Flush with Cold Water

Once the waste has been disposed of, run the faucet for around 60 seconds. This will help the garbage disposal to work smoothly.

Don’t Use the Disposal Unit for Fibrous Foods

Items, like onion skins and banana peels, shouldn’t go into the garbage disposal because they can cause a blockage. Similarly, the starch in them can damage the blades as it becomes hard with time.

Avoid Hard Items

You should NEVER toss hard waste, such as fruit pits and bones, into the disposal unit. It is important because these things can prove destructive for the kitchen appliance. Ideally, you should read the manual to see what can be put inside your grinder and stick to the instructions.

Click here to see a list of things that shouldn’t be put into the garbage disposal.