Insinkerator is Leaking from The Bottom (What to Do)

Getting Rid of Leftovers

This is a very simple task to do. You can either scrape the leftover food into the trash bin or you can scrape the plates into the sink, flip the switch and let the Insinkerator do the job. Either way, you get rid of unwanted food scraps in a hurry.

The only problem in this process is if your Insinkerator gets a leak. When it does you will have to do some work to seal that problem. To learn how to do this, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about to have a leak-free leftover food disposal process.

Sources of Garbage Disposal Leaks

There are basically only four locations where the garbage disposal or Insinkerator will leak. These disposals are very simple appliances even though they do a messy job. Here are those four sources you need to check when you see water on your cabinet floor:

1. Sink flange – This part means that the seal has been broken in some way. The seal may not be tight, or the putty dried up and was broken.
2. The dishwasher line seal – The washer in the connection may have worn out or like the flange, the connection is not tight enough.
3. The drain – The same issues would apply to this location as well. Or there may be a hole in the drain which can also be a source for the dishwasher line.
4. The bottom of the disposal – The seals inside the device may have worn out and that is a big problem.

What to Do When the Leak is at the Bottom

This is actually a major fix because fixing the interior seals may not do the trick. When you replace the seals, you are only temporarily fixing the leak. After some time, these seals will wear out and you are back to square one.

The best way to solve this issue is to replace the old disposal with a new one. This will solve the problem for many years. The way to replace the old disposal or Insinkerator is as follows:

1. Disconnect the Power

This is a must move before you do anything else. Always make sure you are protected from harm.

2. Disconnect Hoses

If you have a dishwasher you will need to disconnect that hose as well as the drain hose. Both need to come off before you remove the disposal so that they do not get any damage.

3. Remove the Old Disposal

Usually, all this takes is a little twist at the flange and the old disposal should drop down into your waiting hands. Some models may need a screw loosened, etc., but those are minor tasks that only take seconds to do.

4. Put the New Disposal On

Simply repeat the process in reverse order and you should not have a problem. Make sure to scrape off any old putty or sealant prior to putting the new disposal in place. Then add the new putty first.

Once the putty has been properly applied, put your new disposal in place. Double-check all connections and then run a test to make sure there are no leaks.

If there are repeat the process until you get the leaks stopped.

Some Garbage Disposal Care Tips

Some people say that you should run cold water when you run your disposal to keep the grease in solid form. That helps prevent the grease from solidifying later on down the pipe and in a position that blocks your drain.

You can do this as the cold water will also help keep your disposal’s motor cool. That cool temperature seems to extend the life of the disposal. However, there is no harm in running hot water when you have grease in your sink. This keeps the grease in liquid form and helps it drain through your system a lot faster and easier.

You can always run cold water after the grease is gone to cool the motor down. Another tip will be to avoid putting bones inside the disposal. All bones do is damage the blades of the disposal and ruin the device. When that happens you need to go out and buy a new disposal.

Then, once or twice a month, check for leaks. Leaks cause mold, pest infestations, and other health issues that you should avoid at all times. Making sure there are no leaks helps you keep your home healthy for everyone.

Some Final Words

When you have leaking disposal or Insinkerator and the leak is coming from the bottom, there is really only one thing to do. You will have to replace the Insinkerator. If you do not want to do it, then hire a handyman or get a professional plumber to do the job.

This will cost more but at least you know the task will be done right.