A garbage disposal is supposed to work right every time you use it. So, if something goes wrong, like a garbage disposal leak, you wonder where it is coming from and why it is happening. Garbage disposals do not have a lot of different parts compared to some other kitchen appliances. However, there are still a few things that can go wrong. It is important to understand the basics of a garbage disposal, how these components work together, and how to troubleshoot your garbage disposal should a problem occur.
Garbage Disposal: Anatomy, Problems, & More
Contents
In this article, we discuss some of the basic components of a garbage disposal. Likewise, we discuss causes for garbage disposal leaks, and what can be done to remedy the issue, such as when to call for garbage disposal repair.
The Basics Anatomy Of A Garbage Disposal
Before you try to figure out why your garbage disposal is leaking, it’s helpful to understand its different parts.
- Rubber Shield: Most garbage disposals have a rubber drain shield. This allows food to go through to the disposal but stops food from flying or spraying back out.
- Flange: The sink flange is what holds the garbage disposal to the sink and it is most likely a metal bracket.
- Blades: The metal impeller blades rotate at a high speed to chop up food into small enough pieces that they can drain freely. Do not ever stick your hand into a garbage disposal.
- Motor: The electric motor sits in the housing or body of the disposal and is responsible for turning the blades. The power cord supplies the electricity.
- Reset Button: Garbage disposals contain a reset button. This is usually found on the bottom of the unit. It will pop out when its internal circuit breakers are tripped.
- Crank Socket: The crank socket is found at the bottom of the garbage disposal body. It can be used to manually turn the impeller blades if they become impeded by food or other objects. This should only be done with the power off.
- Drain Pipe: The garbage disposal is hooked up directly to the drainpipe. After the food has been chopped up into small pieces, the drain pipe washes it away.
Common Garbage Disposal Leaks
A leak can happen anywhere along your garbage disposal or its parts. However, there are a few common garbage disposal leaks you can check.
First, always unplug your garbage disposal before you begin any maintenance or work on it. Turn off the breaker when the area around the garbage disposal or electrical socket is wet. This will prevent you from getting shocked.
Then, try to find out where the leak is coming from. The easiest way to do this is by filling up your sink about one-third of the way and adding a bright food coloring. The color doesn’t matter as long as you can easily see it against the color of your garbage disposal.
With the drain stopper still in place, check to see if there are any leaks. If you have a leak, the sink flange needs to be replaced. In the event that there is no leak, release the drain stopper and see if you can pinpoint where the water is coming from. If you are unsure where the leak is coming from or you feel uncomfortable with any of the above steps, it is best to call a plumber and get a professional opinion.
Garbage Disposal Repair Easton PA
Garbage disposal leaks are a common problem, but with a simple phone call to a qualified plumber, your disposal can soon be working as well as it did when it was first installed.
Robinson Plumbing, a garbage disposal repair company, is a qualified plumbing company in the Lehigh Valley. We offer all different kinds of plumbing services, including plumbing system maintenance, toilet repair, clog removals, and much more. You can trust one of our certified and experienced plumbers to get the job done quickly and accurately. Give us a call today so that we may answer any questions that you have.
We service Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Easton PA 18040, Martins Creek PA 18063, Nazareth PA 18064, Riegelsville PA 18077, Stockertown PA 18083, Tatamy PA 18085, and surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or click here to contact us for any questions that you might have!