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How To Repair a Leaking Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is an extremely useful kitchen appliance.

It can also cause a lot of damage to your undersink cabinet when it decides to leak.

The good news is that most leaks are very easy to fix and you may not even need any tools to get the job done.

Here’s how to repair a leaking garbage disposal.

1. Check For a Secure Fit.

Garbage disposals tend to vibrate as they operate.

This can help them shake loose a bit and break the drainage seal.

A simple turn of the appliance can quickly fix this type of leak.

Just get underneath the sink, unplug the unit, tighten it, and then plug it back in and the repair will be done.

2. There’s Something Stuck In The Rotators.

Most garbage disposals slice up food products with a high speed rotation mechanism.

It floats above the mechanisms that spin the rotors, so sometimes food particles can get stuck in there.

Bone chips, dried rice, and mashed potatoes tend to be the worst offenders for this.

You’ll need to remove the food that has gotten stuck.

If you can see it, then a table knife can often do the trick.

If not, you’ll need to remove the unit and unscrew the rotor to complete the repair.

3. The Emergency Reset Needs To Be Pushed.

Sometimes the reason why the garbage disposal is leaking is because it has stopped working.

There’s an emergency reset button to push somewhere underneath the unit.

Press it and this should solve the problem.

4. There’s a Plumbing Issue.

Sticky foods and cooking oils can clog up the plumbing underneath the sink, but after the garbage disposal.

This makes it seem like the appliance is leaking.

You’ll need to unscrew the PVC trap and physically remove the clog.

Remember: never send down drain cleaner through your garbage disposal.

Knowing how to repair a leaking garbage disposal can help you stop more water damage from happening.

Follow these steps and you’ll be able to complete most repairs in under 60 minutes.

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