What to Do If Your Garbage Disposal Is Leaking from the Bottom

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Troubleshoot and repair a leaky garbage disposal
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A garbage disposal leaking from the bottom is usually caused by rust, worn out seals, or disconnected hoses. In this article, we'll cover all of the most common reasons for this type of leak and help you troubleshoot to determine what you're dealing with. We'll also explain how to fix each issue (including when a pro is necessary) and walk you through how to replace a garbage disposal if yours can't be salvaged. Read on for more!

Reasons Your Garbage Disposal is Leaking

The inside of your garbage disposal may be rusted or corroded from age, which can cause leaks from the bottom. Damaged seals, cracked housing, and rust are other common culprits. The only permanent solution for most of these issues is to replace your garbage disposal.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Troubleshoot & Fix Common Causes

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  1. A worn or damaged seal is often the most likely culprit of a leaking garbage disposal. The seals are designed to keep water from leaking, but they degrade over time due to repeated use. As the seals degrade, your garbage disposal may become susceptible to leaking, especially if you’ve had it for a long time. [1]
    • How to diagnose it: Look for any visible damage to the seals around the flange and bottom of the disposal.
    • How to fix it: If your seal has degraded, you need to replace the garbage disposal with a new one. In most cases, seals cannot be replaced.
    • When to call a pro: If you don’t have any experience disassembling or installing garbage disposals, call a pro for this.
  2. Garbage disposals have tough interior shells that house all of the internal equipment, like wires and the motor. As your garbage disposal ages, the shell becomes vulnerable to cracking. When the shell cracks, water can seep through and cause leaking at the bottom of your disposal. [2]
    • How to diagnose it: Disconnect your disposal, remove the top, and look for any cracks or holes around the housing.
    • How to fix it: Use liquid weld epoxy to seal any cracks and add a bit of extra life to your disposal
    • When to call a pro: If you don’t have any experience disassembling a garbage disposal or your housing is cracked beyond repair, call a professional to replace it.
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  3. As your disposal ages, it will show signs of that age through corrosion and rust, especially if you don’t use it. [3] Corrosion and rust can gradually break down the structure of your disposal, leading to leaks. If your disposal is showing signs of significant rust or corrosion, you may have to replace it. Consult a plumber to decide what to do.
    • How to diagnose it: Disassemble your disposal and inspect the inside for any signs of rust or corrosion, like red-orange flaking or rusted holes.
    • How to fix it: Use a wire brush to clean away any rust or corrosion debris. Apply liquid epoxy weld to any rust holes and let it dry. Then, reassemble your disposal. This is a temporary solution. If your disposal continues to leak, it’s best to get a replacement.
    • When to call a pro: If you don’t have any experience disassembling your disposal or using liquid weld epoxy, call a pro to replace your disposal.
  4. If the cords, pipes or wires of your garbage disposal were installed incorrectly, that may be the reason for your leak. For example, a dishwasher pipe that isn’t properly connected can lead to leaks underneath the sink. [4]
    • How to diagnose it: Inspect the connections around the sink flange for loose mounting bolts.
    • How to fix it: If you find any loose mounting bolts, unplug the garbage disposal and turn off the circuit breaker. Then, tighten the loose bolts with a wrench.
    • When to call a pro: If you suspect the disposal was improperly installed, it’s best to call a pro unless you feel comfortable or have experience with disassembly and removal .
  5. Your impeller is a spinning object with sharp blades that is responsible for breaking down the food that you put into your dishwasher. The centrifugal force of the impeller attracts the food, while the blades break them down. [5]
    • How to diagnose it: If the impeller or its blades are damaged, your disposal may hum without starting.
    • How to fix it: If you hear a humming sound, contact a professional for the repair.
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Temporarily Repair Your Garbage Disposal with Epoxy

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  1. If your garbage disposal is plugged in, unplug it and turn off the power at the circuit breaker. If your garbage disposal is powered by a switch, flip the switch into the off-position and turn off the power at the circuit breaker. [6]
    • If your power is on while you work on your garbage disposal, you’ll risk electrocuting yourself.
    • Double check that the garbage disposal and its wires aren’t electrified using a non-contact voltage tester . [7]
  2. Use a flathead screwdriver and untwist the bolt beneath the clamp on the hose to loosen the clamp. Once it’s loose, wiggle the hose off. Then, twist the top ring of the P-trap (the curved pipe underneath the drain pipe) counterclockwise. Twist the lower ring counterclockwise to loosen the P-trap. Then, gently pull the trap to remove it. [8]
    • Place a bucket underneath before you remove the hose to catch any water that leaks when you remove it.
  3. Locate the metal ring with three insertable slots at the top of your disposal. Insert double-sided allen wrenches into two of them and turn counterclockwise to loosen the ring. Use one hand to hold the bottom of your disposal and the other to twist the ring away from the disposal. Then, gently remove your disposal. [9]
    • Be careful when disconnecting the ring, as your disposal can fall and damage you or the baseboard underneath the sink.
  4. Turn your disposal on its side. Make sure the power is turned off, then turn the screw on the cover plate counterclockwise with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the screw and open the plate. Then, unscrew the green bolt in the center to remove the ground wire. Use a screwdriver to pry out the inner wires. Twist the wire nuts off to disconnect the two sets of black and white wires, then remove the outer set of wires from the housing. [10]
  5. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the four bolts on the sides of the disposal. Remove them from the machine, then insert a flathead screwdriver into the gaps underneath where they were located. Use the flathead to raise the top of the fixture, then gently remove it. [11]
  6. Use a wire brush to clean away any gunk or debris from your disposal. As you clean the disposal, keep your eye out for any holes that may have formed from rust or corrosion. If you spot any, squeeze the liquid weld epoxy into a bowl or cylindrical surface, then mix it together until it has a grey consistency. Coat the tip of a craft stick with the epoxy and apply enough to cover the hole. Spread any excess around your disposal, then let it dry. [12]
    • Be careful not to apply too much epoxy to the sides, as it will be difficult to put the top of your disposal back on.
    • If you do accidentally apply too much epoxy and it hardens, take a blade or similar metal object and chip it from your disposal.
  7. Place the top of your disposal back on and align the four holes with those on the bottom. Re-insert the four side bolts and screw them in. Reattach your disposal at the mounting ring, insert a double-sided allen wrench or screwdriver into the two holes, and turn clockwise to tighten the disposal back into the ring. [13]
  8. Connect the hose to the garbage disposal, then retighten the clamp by turning your flathead screwdriver clockwise. Align the inserts of the P-trap with the inserts of the pipe and disposal, then insert the P-trap and tighten it by turning the rings clockwise. [14]
  9. Electrician James Hornof says remove the bottom cover, put a two-screw connector in for your cable, then bring the cable into the box where the switch is. Tighten the ground around the green bolt to ground the disposal. Bring two wire nuts together to attach your white wires together and your black wires together. Then inside of the switch, take the black wire to one of your switches, your whites are going to be made up together. Put the black wires into each terminal on your switch.
  10. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker, plug your disposal back in if it has a power cord, then run the water at your sink and turn your disposal on. Check underneath the sink for any leaks from the disposal. If everything’s dry, you’re good to go! [15]
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Replace Your Leaking Garbage Disposal

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  1. If your garbage disposal is powered by a power cord, unplug it and turn off the power at the circuit breaker. If your garbage disposal is powered by a switch, flip the switch into the off-position and turn off the power at the circuit breaker. [16]
    • Remember, having the power on while you work on your garbage disposal is a safety hazard.
  2. Use a flathead screwdriver to untwist the bolt beneath the clamp on the hose. This will loosen the clamp. Once it’s loose, wiggle the hose off. Twist the top ring of the P-trap (the curved pipe underneath the drain pipe) counterclockwise. Then, twist the lower ring counterclockwise. This will loosen the P-trap. Once it’s loose, gently pull the trap to remove it. [17]
    • Have a bucket underneath to catch any water leaks.
  3. Locate the metal ring with three insertable slots near the top of your disposal. Insert double-sided allen wrenches into two slots and turn counterclockwise to loosen the ring. Hold the bottom of your disposal with one hand and twist the ring loose with the other. Then, gently remove your disposal. [18]
    • Be careful when disconnecting the ring. Your disposal can fall and damage you or the sink’s baseboard.
  4. Loosen the bolts holding the piece together with a flathead screwdriver. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the side gap in between your drain flange and disposal ring. Then, use the flathead to pop your drain flange out. Disassemble the new flange by using a flathead to unscrew the three bolts. Flatten out some plumber’s putty, place it around the edge of the flange, then firmly push the flange into the insert. [19]
    • Use a heavy object to hold your flange down.
  5. Reassemble the ring by placing the thin cardboard ring up top, and the lower ring with the bolt inserts underneath. Insert the new ring back into the flange and tighten the screws to secure it in place. [20]
  6. Turn your disposal on its side and use a Phillips screwdriver to turn the screw on the cover plate counterclockwise. Remove the screw and open the plate. Remove the ground wire by unscrewing the green bolt in the center under the plate. Use a screwdriver to pry out the inner wires. Twist the wire nuts off to disconnect the two sets of black and white wires, then remove the outer set of wires from the housing. [21]
    • Make sure the power is off when you disconnect the wires.
  7. Take your new garbage disposal and insert a screwdriver into the upper hole where the dishwasher hose goes. Take a hammer and hit the back of the screwdriver to knock the dishwasher plug out. This will prevent water from backing up into your dishwasher. [22]
    • If you don’t have a dishwasher, leave this plug in.
  8. Remove the wire plate on your new garbage disposal by using a Phillips screwdriver and turning the screw on the cover counterclockwise. Locate the white wires and pair them using a wire nut. Locate the black wires and do the same. Unscrew the green screw, wrap the ground wire around it, and screw it back to secure the wire. Push the wires back in, then reattach the plate. [23]
  9. Align the three open tabs with the mounting ring, then use the included allen wrench to turn the tabs clockwise and tighten them in place. Connect the dishwasher hose by aligning it with the hole on the garbage disposal, then retightening the clamp by inserting your flathead into the screw and turning it clockwise. Attach the P-trap to the drain hose by aligning the two holes together, then turning the rings clockwise to tighten them in place. [24]
  10. Plug your new garbage disposal back in if it’s powered by a power cord. Head to the circuit breaker and turn the power to your garbage disposal back on. Then, turn on the water and power your garbage disposal back on. Check for any leaks or loose connections. If you don’t notice anything, you’re good to go! [25]
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Prevent Future Leaks

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  1. It’s recommended to use your garbage disposal at least once every couple of days to keep the impeller blades from rusting. This rust can create holes and cause leaks. [26]
    • If you wait a long time to use your garbage disposal, it may simply hum without breaking any food down.
  2. Running cold or warm water will help move the food that’s breaking down from the disposal to the drain pipe. This can prevent any food build-up or waste from breaking down the inners of your garbage disposal and causing leaks. [27]
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Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. If your garbage disposal is leaking from the reset button, the inside is likely rusted through. If this is the case, you will have to get a new disposal.
    • Once the inside rusts through, water begins to interact with the wires in the housing, which is extremely dangerous.
  2. No. In fact, your garbage disposal may have a hard time with breaking down tough objects. Putting hard objects into your garbage disposal can even damage your blades.
    • Handyman Jacob Pischer says that garbage disposals usually jam because of orange peels, apple peels, bones, or other things getting stuck between the disposal’s teeth and sidewall, which stops the motor from turning.
  3. Insert ice cubes into the disposal, start it and let the water run, and let it break them down. [28]
  4. Take oranges or lemons, chop them up or use their peels, and insert them into the disposal. Run some cold water into the disposal, then start it. This will break down the object causing the odor and replace it with a citrusy smell. [29]
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