Vent, Valve & Volt
Garbage disposal hums but won't spin, or won't turn on

This one needs a licensed pro

Call a plumber: the unit itself is leaking

Water coming through the body or out of the bottom, with everything above it dry, usually means a failed internal seal or a cracked shell. Plan on a replacement.

Why this happens

Family Handyman's plumber says the most common cause of a leak from the bottom is failure of the seals around the internal bearings from old age, and that a unit with failed internal seals sometimes cannot be repaired. Lowe's says cracks or a broken seal inside mean it is best to get a new disposal, and Bob Vila says a cracked housing cannot be fixed. InSinkErator says to confirm first that the water is not coming from higher up and dripping down. Family Handyman also warns that leaks can lead to electrical risks, so leave it off.

What to do right now

  1. Switch the disposal off and unplug it, or turn its breaker off, with dry hands and a dry floor under you. If the outlet, the plug or the cord is wet, do not touch them. Use the breaker instead. Leave it off.
  2. Confirm the source the way InSinkErator suggests: tape a sheet of newspaper flat under the disposal, fill the sink, then let it drain, and see where the drips land. Check that the top and the side connections are dry.
  3. Before you plan on a replacement, look at the drain elbow on the side of the disposal. Moen says loose screws or a damaged gasket there can let water travel down inside the shell and drain out at the bottom plate. Snug any loose screws and run the test again. If that stops the leak, keep the power off until the disposal, the plug, the cord and the outlet are completely dry. CDC says electrical equipment must be completely dry before it goes back into service. Then plug it back in with dry hands and the wall switch off.
  4. Put a pan or bucket under the disposal and use the other side of the sink if you have one.
  5. Find the brand and model on the label and check the warranty. Bob Vila says to contact the manufacturer if the unit is fairly new, because a replacement could be covered.
  6. Call a plumber to replace the disposal.

When to stop. Do not plug it back in or run it while it leaks. Family Handyman warns that leaks can lead to electrical risks. If water has reached the outlet or the cord, leave the breaker off, and have a licensed electrician check the outlet before it is used again.

What to tell the plumber

  • Water comes from the bottom or through the body, and the top and side connections are dry.
  • Whether it drips all the time or only when water runs.
  • The brand, model and rough age of the disposal.
  • Whether the disposal plugs in or is wired directly.

Build the full list: what to tell the plumber.

Start this troubleshooter over

References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
  1. Family Handyman: Why is my garbage disposal leaking from the bottom?
  2. Lowe's: Garbage disposal not working? Tips and tricks to fix it
  3. Bob Vila: Garbage disposal not working?
  4. InSinkErator: Garbage disposal leaking
  5. ESFI: Flood electrical safety
  6. CDC: Protect yourself from electrical hazards
  7. Moen: Leak underneath, existing garbage disposal

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