A leaking commercial garbage disposal will create a mess whenever you try to use it. It can be a minor issue or a major one that requires replacing the unit, so you should call a commercial appliances repair expert. Here are common reasons a commercial garbage disposal can leak.

Reasons Your Commercial Garbage Disposal Is Leaking

When looking for the causes of a leaking commercial garbage disposal, spotting where it’s leaking from can save you from a lot of trouble because a leak from certain parts hints at specific problems. There are three parts from which a commercial garbage disposal can leak: the top, the side, or the bottom.

Therefore, turn off the disposal at the breaker, dry the sink and the garbage disposal completely, wrap separate paper towels on various connected parts (sink flange, discharge outlet pipe, drain pipe (P-trap), dishwasher hose, and the bottom of the unit), and then run water slightly to see which paper towel gets wet first. Afterward, run the disposal and check the paper towels again.

Worn Sink Flange’s Seal (Leak From The Top)

The place where the sink flange connects with the top of the garbage disposal requires a seal. The seal is either a plumber’s putty or a rubber gasket. They are used between these two parts to keep the area water-tight. Over time (5-10 years), the plumber’s putty or the rubber gasket wears away. They may become hard, shrink, or get cracked, allowing water to leak.

This is one of the most common causes of a leaking commercial garbage disposal and it’s also easy to fix. You only need to replace the plumber’s putty or rubber gasket. You can replace it yourself by watching a few videos, but remember to remove all the old plumber’s putty and roll a new one in its place. Don’t put more of it on an old one. And it’s better to use more plumber’s putty than using less.

Loose Mounting Bolts (Leak From The Top)

A commercial garbage disposal is mounted to the sink using mounting bolts so that it doesn’t move during its operation. Over time, with a lot of vibrating and shaking during operation, the mounting bolts can become loose.

At this point, the garbage disposal vibrates and shakes even more when working, but this time, it’s not inside the safe limit and this can slightly move the unit. This can put stress on the connection between the sink flange and the top of the disposal that’s sealed using a plumber’s putty or a rubber gasket.

When this happens, the seal (plumber’s putty or gasket) gets damaged, which leads to a leakage from that area (the top of the disposal).

To spot whether a sink flange’s seal issue occurred due to wear or loose mounting bolts is to notice rattling or clanking noises during operation. Your garbage disposal will be noisier if the mounting bolts are loose. It will also slightly move as well, apart from vibrating and shaking when operating.

So, whenever there is damaged plumber’s putty or rubber gasket, during or after its replacement, make sure to check and fasten the mounting bolts as well.

Discharge Outlet Pipe (Leaks From The Side)

At the side, a commercial garbage disposal is connected to a discharge outlet pipe or discharge elbow. If the disposal is leaking from the side and there is no dishwasher hose, then the leak has to do with the waste discharge outlet pipe.

• If the discharge outlet pipe is loose, you may just need to fasten its clamps.
• Other times, it can be a damaged gasket that creates a seal where the discharge outlet pipe is connected to the garbage disposal. You can adjust the gasket if it’s fine, but if it’s too hard or cracked, consider a replacement.
• Sometimes, the outlet pipe is damaged and leaking even when the gasket is fine and the pipe is firmly attached to the disposal.

Moreover, if a dishwasher hose is also connected to the side of the garbage disposal, you will need to inspect it as well for a leakage. An easy sign of this problem is that the garbage disposal leaks only when the dishwasher drains. You can fasten the hose’s clamps, but if the hose is damaged, the pipe is misaligned, or if you need someone to replace the gasket, consult a commercial kitchen appliance repair Alexandria expert.

Drain Pipe Problems (Leaks From The Side)

The discharge outlet pipe or discharge elbow is connected to the drain pipe. A leak can occur in that area as well. Moreover, you have a damaged drain pipe, it can leak from anywhere along its length.

If you see leakage from the side but not from the discharge outlet pipe. Instead, it’s slightly away from it. It’s the drain pipe or its connection, that’s usually a slip-joint connection. So, check the connection and fasten any loose nut or replace a worn washer or fix any other problem. However, this can be difficult because some problems can be detected by an expert more easily than a layman, so consulting a professional is a better option.

An expert will also look for a damaged drain pipe, a clogged drain, and any installation errors, and fix the problem properly so that it never arises again for a long time.

Poor Installation (Leaks From The Top Or The Side)

Poor installation is also a common cause of commercial garbage disposal leakages and the leakage is always either from the top or the side. Its sign is also easy to spot: If the leak has been occurring since the installation of the unit, it’s due to a poor installation.

Rarely, it can be an issue with the new unit. So, contact the manufacturer if needed.

Leaks from The Bottom

Bottom leaks are the most expensive leaks because this is the sign of a failing garbage disposal. The disposal can no longer operate without leaking, and you must replace the unit. However, as the bottom part is, well, at the bottom, leaks from the top or the side can also look like a bottom leak.

A true bottom leak is when the side and the top of the disposal are completely dry. Still, you must call in an expert to make sure that there is a bottom leak before replacing the disposal.

A bottom leak is not fixable, but here are the two common reasons for this leakage:

Worn Internal Seal

A commercial garbage disposal has an internal seal that keeps the motor and grinding chamber separate. This can wear out over time, so the water will start dripping inside the chamber and will also leak from the bottom.

Corroded Housing

The bottom part you see can corrode due to constant exposure to moisture, impact, chemicals, and others, which can lead to a leakage.

Conclusion

A commercial garbage disposal can leak from the top, the side, or the bottom. Leakages from the top and the side are fixable, while a leaking bottom of a garbage disposal means you must replace the unit. Hire a commercial garbage disposal repair Springfield expert for an inspection and advice.