There are many problems that can occur from a leak in your garbage disposal or a garbage disposal malfunction. A leak from your garbage disposal can damage your kitchen a lot. It can turn into a huge mess and clog up the drains.
It can also cause mold to grow in your kitchen and cabinetry. You should fix it as soon as possible to prevent this from happening.
Water Damage
A leaky garbage disposal can cause a lot of damage to your kitchen. Water stains can form on cabinets and hardwood floors. Mold and mildew can develop, too.
The leaking water can even damage your sink. It’s important to fix this problem right away to avoid costly repairs and extensive water damage.
Before you begin, find out where the leak is coming from. This will give you an idea of what repairs are possible and what might need to be done by a professional plumber.
Generally, leaks are most common at the flange that connects the disposal to the sink drain. This flange often gets worn out over time, or the screws that secure it to the sink may be loose.
If the flange is damaged or warped, it may need to be replaced. You can do this by replacing the rubber gasket and using some plumber’s putty around the edges to create a better seal.
Mold Damage
A slow leak in a garbage disposal can cause mold damage to the base of your cabinets and your kitchen floor. This damage is difficult to repair, and it can also ruin your wood flooring.
Mold grows on damp or wet surfaces and reproduces by releasing tiny spores into the air. These spores can be carried indoors by people on clothes or shoes, or they can be blown into open windows and doors.
As a result, mold is very hazardous to human health. It can cause a wide variety of health problems, including respiratory issues.
Mold growth can be a serious problem in older homes, especially those with poor ventilation. It can be prevented by increasing ventilation (opening bathroom windows during showers and baths), cleaning more frequently, and replacing carpet or rugs if necessary.
Clogged Drains
A leak can eventually cause problems with your drains too. A clogged drain can cause a lot of damage to your kitchen. Depending on the extent of the clog and the type of water backup that occurs, it can damage your flooring, walls and even cabinets.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent your kitchen sink drain from clogging in the first place. By following these tips, you can help keep your pipes and drains working well and avoid a costly plumbing repair. Sometimes blocked drains in Geelong will require a professional plumber because they will have the expertise to repair any damages.
The most common clogs occur when food, hair and other substances get stuck in the drain pipe. These clogs can become worse and harder to clear over time, especially if you don’t clean them out.
Soap scum can also clog drains over time, and this can be especially problematic if you use soaps that contain oil or grease. It’s important to regularly use a drain cleaner that doesn’t include these ingredients. This will prevent soap scum from forming in your drain and causing a clog.
Damage to Your Kitchen Cabinets
When your garbage disposal leaks, it can cause a lot of damage to your kitchen cabinets. If left unchecked, the water damage could warp the wood in your cabinets and flooring.
It is important to fix your garbage disposal as soon as possible, because the longer it leaks, the worse it will be. If you don’t repair the leak right away, it could turn into a nasty mold problem that will ruin your cabinets and floors.
A garbage disposal grinds food waste into tiny bits of trash that go down the drain. There are two main types of disposals–continuous feed and batch feed.
To prevent your garbage disposal from leaking, avoid throwing things like fibrous scraps (celery), hard bones, fruit pits, grease, cooking fat, and coffee grounds in it. Also, run cold water before and after you use the disposal to keep solid fats from congealing into gunk that deteriorates the sink flange and can lead to a leak.