What to Do If Your Garbage Disposal Is Leaking

Ricky Pattillo • January 13, 2022
garbage disposal

When your garbage disposal is leaking, the signs will be clear. You may notice a huge  mess underneath the kitchen sink where water is collecting. Even worse, you may smell a foul odor, or find that bugs or rodents are attracted to the area. For these reasons, leaking garbage disposals should be taken care of as soon as possible. 


Though there are many potential causes for leaks, you may be able to find and solve the problem at home without the help of a
plumber. We are going to explain what you yourself can do when the garbage disposal starts leaking to help mitigate the damage it could cause.

Why is my garbage disposal leaking?

Overtime, your garbage disposal will age and can eventually become misaligned. It’s normal for garbage disposals to start wearing down or maybe even cracking after many years of use. It’s also easy to accidentally nudge it out of position, especially as the seals which connect the garbage disposal naturally loosen over time. All these circumstances can contribute to the occasional leak. Many of these issues can be taken care of at home and without a lot of money involved.


How to Fix Your Garbage Disposal

The leak in your garbage disposal could have many different causes. The best way to find the proper solution is by first discovering where on the garbage disposal that the leak is coming from. 


Spot the Leak

There are a few similar methods for locating the site of the leak on the garbage disposal, but all of them involve running the water and watching. The spot where the leak comes from will allow you to determine the appropriate actions for stopping it. You’ll first need to dry off the outside of the garbage disposal underneath the sink with a rag or towel. The next step is to run the sink water and watch the disposal carefully. Shining a flashlight directly at the disposal will help you to see any escaping glimmers of water. You want to spot the exact area of the disposal that the water is coming from. It may be the top, bottom, or from somewhere on the sides. Each indicates a different cause, which may require a different solution.


Fix the Leak Accordingly

Each of these leak locations have common causes that you may be able to fix on your own. If the leak is coming from the top, the sink flange is likely loose. Leaks coming from the side might indicate an issue where the dishwasher hose connects, while leaks at the bottom of the unit likely means that an internal seal has been broken. After determining the source of your leak, follow the corresponding advice to try and remedy it:


Leaking from the Top

Most commonly, leaking water from the top of the garbage disposal is caused by a loose flange.The sink flange connects the garbage disposal to the drain using bolts and plumber’s putty for a tight seal. First, check that the bolts are securely tightened. If that doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to add more plumber’s putty around the rim of the flange. Luckily, plumber’s putty can be found in most hardware stores. You will have to loosen the bolts to add new plumber’s putty, or you can detach the disposal before adding it. Everything should be secure and tightened after the putty is in place.


Leaking from the Side

The side of the garbage disposal is where the dishwasher connects. The main drain line is attached by screws and a rubber gasket. Try tightening the clamp’s screws for the main drain line with a screwdriver. Something else that may fix the leak is replacing the rubber gasket with a new one. If you notice cracking or wear on the hose which connects the dishwasher and garbage disposal, then it may need to be replaced.


Leaking from Bottom

Oftentimes, leaks from the bottom of a disposal can be caused by internal damage and wear. In this case, you’ll need to replace the entire garbage disposal. If you feel comfortable doing this at home, you will be able to save money by not hiring a plumber to help with installation.


Need professional help with your garbage disposal? 

Sometimes, leaks aren’t easy to handle at home, especially for homeowners with limited plumbing experience. The experts at Plumb Works are experienced with a multitude of garbage disposal problems like breaks, leaks, and clogs. Whatever is happening under your sink, we will be glad to help out. Even if that means installing an entirely new garbage disposal. To ask about our garbage disposal services or schedule an appointment, simply call 404-524-1825.


December 18, 2025
Recently, Plumb Works had the opportunity to partner on a successful grease trap replacement project for an Atlanta-area Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant
Handyman and toolbox
December 12, 2025
Business owners and operators can consider the following commercial plumbing calendar to help bypass any issues that might clog your project pipeline.
By Lizzi Skipper November 25, 2025
Nothing puts the cold chill on the festive holiday season like a frozen or burst pipe. Frozen pipes are bad enough, but when they burst, the problem worsens and can easily lead to flood damage requiring costly repairs. This all-too-common occurrence affects an estimated 250,000 homes in America each year. And Georgia may be a hot bed for frozen pipes. According to a State Farm report released in 2023, Georgia topped the list of frozen pipe-related losses at $100 million (from August 2002-August 2023.) Plumb Works remains your go-to source for frozen or burst pipe calls in our service area. However, there are some simple tips you can apply to protect pipes in cold weather and help avoid a house call. Before the thermometer dips below freezing – that’s 32 degrees Fahrenheit – do the following:
Lenz building
October 21, 2025
When Lenz, Plumb Works’s marketing agency of record, moved into its new home, an historic building on the Decatur Square, it didn’t have to look far.
Water heater inspection
October 2, 2025
October is the perfect time for seasonal plumbing maintenance to make sure your water heater is ready to bring the warmth when you need it most.
Thank you, Eric Ponder for 20 years of service!
October 2, 2025
Eric, thank you—for your 20 years of service, for the integrity you bring to your work, and for being a core part of the Plumb Works family.
September 16, 2025
The arrival of football season often inspires many to create a backyard retreat custom made for game day celebration. Sure, our imaginations can run wild when it comes to adding an outdoor kitchen or gas lines for that dream fire pit or grill. However, before kicking off the big play, the experts at Plumb Works are here to remind you of some key elements.
August 1, 2025
If your home is 30, 40, or even 50 years old, there’s a good chance your gas piping system hasn’t been updated since it was installed. Unfortunately, aging gas pipes can put your home and family at serious risk. Gas lines naturally degrade over time, and older materials are much more likely to develop leaks, corrosion, or even sudden failures. In metro Atlanta, soil conditions and humid weather can speed up deterioration, making it even more important to have your system inspected if your home is decades old. At Plumb Works, we’ve seen firsthand the dangers of outdated gas lines in Atlanta-area homes. Here’s why you shouldn’t wait to have yours evaluated. Why Old Gas Pipes Are a Serious Hazard Gas lines may last for decades, but they don’t last forever. Many Atlanta homes built between 1975-1995 used black iron or galvanized steel gas piping. These older materials are prone to: Corrosion and rust: Atlanta’s humid summers and occasional flooding can accelerate corrosion, especially in crawl spaces or underground lines. Loose connections: Changes in temperature between the hot southern summers and colder winters can weaken threaded connections, leading to leaks. Outdated materials: Galvanized steel pipes used in the past can flake apart internally, causing dangerous blockages. Lack of protective coating: Modern gas lines are coated with fusion-bonded epoxie (FBEs) to resist corrosion, but older pipes generally don’t have that protection. Even small leaks are dangerous because there is no safe level of exposure to natural gas. Natural gas is highly flammable, and any exposure can also lead to serious health issues, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, or even suffocation at high levels. Warning Signs Your Gas Piping Needs Repair or Replacement Because most gas piping runs behind walls or underground, spotting problems isn’t always easy. Here are a few red flags to watch for: A rotten egg smell (the odorant added to natural gas) Hissing or whistling sounds near gas appliances or lines Dead patches of grass above buried gas lines Visible rust or corrosion on any exposed pipes A sudden or unexplained increase in your gas bill If you notice any of these, call a licensed plumber right away. Gas leaks are an emergency and should NEVER be handled as a DIY repair. What Atlanta Homeowners Should Do If Your Gas Piping Is 30-50 Years Old If your home’s gas lines are decades old, schedule a professional inspection even if you haven’t noticed issues. Licensed plumbers in Atlanta, like Plumb Works, can evaluate your system, locate leaks, and determine if repairs or a full replacement are necessary. Modern gas piping materials like CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing) or polyethylene piping last longer, resist corrosion, and are more flexible for installations around Georgia’s clay-heavy soil. Upgrading your system will not only make your home safer but also more efficient. Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late Delaying repairs or replacement of old gas pipes can have devastating consequences, including fires, explosions, or carbon monoxide exposure. Addressing the problem now can keep your family safe while protecting your property (and your wallet) from major damage. It’s also crucial to bring your home up to Georgia’s current safety codes. Call Atlanta’s Trusted Gas Line Repair Experts If your Atlanta home was built from 1975-1995 and you’ve never had the gas piping inspected, now is the time. Plumb Works, Inc. specializes in Atlanta gas line repair and gas line replacement . We understand the unique challenges of Georgia’s climate and soil conditions and follow all City of Atlanta and Georgia state codes for gas line safety. Don’t wait until a small leak turns into a dangerous emergency. Call us today or schedule an appointment online using our self-scheduler. Our licensed plumbers will perform a thorough inspection and give you peace of mind knowing your home’s gas piping is safe.
June 16, 2025
Plumbing can be intimidating. But not every plumbing fix requires a call to the pros. In fact, there are a handful of simple plumbing tasks that just about anyone can tackle with a little patience and the right guidance. Whether you’re a new homeowner, a renter, or just tired of paying for every minor leak or clog, this one’s for you.
May 1, 2025
Here’s a closer look at the most common summer sewer concerns and how to stay ahead of them before they become major (and messy) problems.
Show More