Garbage Disposal Leaking

Water dripping from the disposal unit or connections

55%

55% chance this is caused by:

Loose mounting bolts, failed plumbers putty, or cracked internal seal

🔧 The Exact Part You Need

Plumbers Putty

Buy on Amazon →

Sink Flange Gasket

$10

Buy on Amazon →

Total parts cost: $18. Same-day shipping available on most items.

🔨 Tools You'll Need

Adjustable Wrench

$15

Amazon →

Medium · 30-45 minutes

Parts: $18 vs $$100-300 to replace

📋 Step-by-Step Instructions

Turn off power and water

Identify where the leak is coming from

Top leak = bad plumbers putty at sink flange — remove and reseal

Side leak = loose dishwasher hose connection — tighten clamp

Bottom leak = internal seal failure — unit needs replacement

For top leaks: remove disposal, apply new plumbers putty, reinstall

Not comfortable with this repair?

This is rated as a medium repair. If you'd rather have a pro handle it, a service call typically costs $100-200 plus parts. For a major component, it may be worth the peace of mind.

Check what a professional would charge: See repair costs on FixrCost →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fix a garbage disposal that's leaking?

The part costs about $8. If you do it yourself, that's your total cost. A professional service call would add $100-200 in labor, bringing the total to $158.

How long does this garbage disposal repair take?

This repair is rated "medium" and typically takes 30-45 minutes. The most time-consuming part is usually accessing the component, not the actual swap.

What if this isn't the problem?

Our diagnosis is 55% likely based on the symptom you described. If replacing this part doesn't fix it, the next most common cause for "water dripping from the disposal unit or connections" would be related to the wiring harness or control board. In that case, consider calling a professional.

Should I just replace my garbage disposal instead?

A new garbage disposal costs $100-300. If yours is well under 8-15 years old, a $8 repair is far more cost-effective. If it's near end-of-life and has had multiple issues, replacement starts making more sense.