How to Dismantle an Under the Sink Garbage Disposal

First, unplug the power cord to the "Sink aerator" disposal from under the sink storage area. Next, remove the black rubber strainer from the upper sink area leading down into the disposal. (It simply pulls upward to remove) This will allow you to put your hand down into the disposal area to physically clean out the disposal deposits by hand. Pull out whatever is plugging the disposal and throw the debris in the trash, not back into the disposal. Once everything is removed from inside the disposal, flush it out completely with water from the faucet until it drains freely. Reassemble the black rubber strainer and plug in the disposal once clean. Be sure not to put potatoe peelings and other non-disposable items which can't be ground up easily in the garbage disposal. Keep in mind, just because it says garbage disposal, it doesn't mean all "garbage." Also, always use plenty of water when using the disposal and allow the water to run for a minute or so afterwards to finish washing down the debris in the sink "P" trap drain out through the outer sewer line.

It would appear there is a blockage (a clog) in the disposal. You might try "FIRST" unplugging the disposal from under the sink. Put a piece of masking tape over the switch to secure it in the "OFF" position. Then remove the black rubber strainer from sink leading down into the disposal. (just pull it out by hand) Clean out all debris by hand. Put the removed debris in the trash can. Run hot water down into the disposal assuring it to drain properly. Do not put items into the disposal which cannot be ground up easily such as potato peelings and meat products.

Remove tubular pipes under sink and clean out disposal.
Copy following links for steps for clogged disposal:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-and-install-Garbage-disposal.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Sounds like the disposal drain is clogged.
Under the sink, put bucket under plumbing, take a photo of parts, remove 2 nuts on p-trap and trap falls loose.
Run water and disposal and see if disposal drains correctly.
If disposal is still clogged, remove tailpiece on side of disposal to access the disposal cutter chamber. The tailpiece is sealed against the disposal with rubber washer. Make sure washer is clean when putting tailpiece back.
If necessary, use coat hanger to reach into disposal.
Clean out trap and reassemble tubular drain using photos to help assist where each part goes.
I use white teflon joint compound on each joint and washer when reassembling tubular joints to make sure they seal first time.

Once disposal rusts out, it needs replacement.
Usually if sink basket seal is broken or if dishwasher attachment is leaking, you can feel water near top of disposal.
Use paper towel at top to see if that area is wet.
If top area is dry, then water is coming from inside disposal, and disposal is rusted out.

If sink seal is still good, we used to buy same brand disposal and re-attach to same sink basket. That's the quick fix.
If this is inside your home, you probably want to install new sink basket that comes with disposal.

To install new disposal, also buy container of plumber's putty to seal sink basket.
Remove disposal.
Clean off old putty on sink. It will chip off easily.
Apply finger-thick amount of plumbers putty to sink opening.
Set disposal sink basket into putty and push down.
Tighten screws on bottom of sink basket.
Wipe away excess plumber's putty from sink so it looks nice and smooth.

Before lifting disposal into place, attach electric wires and attach dishwasher hose to disposal.
Use hammer and screwdriver to remove steel blocker located inside dishwasher stem ... the blocker is left in place if no dishwasher hose is attached.
Disposals can be different: But here's the usual sequence:
Lift disposal with one hand and hold level. Push up strong while rotating attachment ring until ring grabs bottom of sink basket.
If you cannot lift disposal with one hand while rotating attachment ring with other hand, use small bottle jack from auto-parts store. And put piece of wood between bottle jack and aluminum disposal so disposal doesn't break.

Here's how to handle tubular pipes below sink:
Any tubular pipe joint that moved while removing or installing disposal, has to be taken apart, cleaned and re-attached.
If washers are plastic, then clean and re-use.
If washers are rubber, then replace each washer with new rubber washer.
When reattaching tubular pipes, apply generous amount of rectorseal over each plastic or rubber washer for first-time seal of tubular pipes.

If I understand correctly, your garbage disposal came loose from the sink basket.



The darker blue arrows point to the connector disc.
The connector disc rotates freely when garbage disposal is not connected to sink basket.
The trick is to lift the disposal into place with one hand.
Push up hard while keeping disposal lined up with sink basket.
Then use other hand to rotate connector until it catches on sink basket.

Before starting:
Disconnect the tubular drain pipes because these pipes will have to be re-sealed.
The electric wire and dishwasher hose can stay connected

If you are disabled or impaired, use a car jack or bottle jack to lift the disposal ... but go slow and don't lift the whole sink.

Now to reconnect the tubular drain pipes.
Disassemble these pipes.
Clean the pipes and washers.
If washers are rubber, buy new ones.
If washers are plastic, re-use old ones after they are cleaned.
I use rectoseal on all tubular washers when installing pipes under the sink.
Coat the washers with plenty of rectoseal and the tubular drain pipes will seal first-time with no leaks.

If I understand correctly, your garbage disposal came loose from the sink basket.


The darker blue arrows point to the connector disc.
The connector disc rotates freely when garbage disposal is not connected to sink basket.
The trick is to lift the disposal into place with one hand.
Push up hard while keeping disposal perfectly flat and aligned with sink basket.
Then use other hand to rotate connector until it catches on sink basket.

Before starting:
Disconnect the tubular drain pipes because these pipes will have to be re-sealed.
The electric wire and dishwasher hose can stay connected

If you are disabled or impaired, use a car jack or bottle jack to lift the disposal ... but go slow and don't lift the whole sink.

Now to reconnect the tubular drain pipes.
All drain pipes that were moved during the garbage disposal event should be taken apart.
Disassemble these pipes.
Clean the pipes and washers.
If washers are rubber, buy new ones.
If washers are plastic, re-use old ones after they are cleaned.
I use rectoseal on all tubular washers when installing pipes under the sink.
Coat the washers with plenty of rectoseal and the tubular drain pipes will seal first-time with no leaks.

The reset button is where the water is coming out, but the leak is probably somewhere above that.
The disposal may be rusted out and needs to be replaced.
There are ways to check for source of the leak.

Turn off switch before touching any wet electrical appliance.

Test1) Put stopper in disposal.
Fill sink with water.
If water starts dripping from disposal, then the putty seal at the sink strainer could be leaking.
Use dry tissue up at top of disposal to see if tissue gets wet.
To repair, remove garbage disposal and reset strainer using plumber's putty.

Test2)
Check if water only leaks when dishwasher runs.
Dishwasher drains into garbage disposal.
Use dry tissue around dishwasher connection when you hear dishwasher draining

Test3)
A lot of leaks start at the tailpiece.
This is where the disposal drains into the tubular pipes.
Your disposal may have a manufactured tailpiece that doesn't come off
If tailpiece is removable, then it is connected to disposal with a rubber washer.
When washer gets old, it doesn't seal perfectly.
Remove tailpiece, it usually has 2 hex bolts.

When putting the tailpiece back, you need to seal the rubber washer really well.
I use rectorseal on all tubular pipe joints under the sink.
Works on both plastic and rubber washers.
Brush it all over the washer, use plenty, then reinstall tailpiece.
The rectorseal assures that joint will not leak.

If the above repairs don't work, then the disposal is rusted-out and needs to be replaced.

The leak comes from above where water comes out.

Turn off power before touching wet electrical appliance.

Put stopper in disposal.
Fill sink with water.
Check if water is getting through the putty seal at sink connection.

Next, check if water leaks only when dishwasher runs. Dishwasher drains into garbage disposal.

Last, check tailpiece where it attaches to side of garbage disposal. The tailpiece is usually sealed with a rubber washer. When washer is old, it gets deformed, and then it doesn't seal perfectly when put back.

I use rectorseal on all tubular pipe joints under the sink.
Works on both plastic and rubber washers.
It is gooey and sticky.
Brush it all over the washer, use plenty, then assemble pipes.
The rectorseal assures that joint will not leak.

If the garbage disposal is rusted out, then it can't be fixed.

My first instinct is to check other sources of leaking water first.
Maybe you have checked, and the following information is not necessary.

Here's some things to do:
1) Fill the sink without letting any water down into the disposal.
Let the water stand in the sink for a while.
Do you see any water dripping?
If you see water, then that tells you the putty seal at the sink strainer is leaking.
Pull out disposal, remove old putty and replace with ample amount of plumber's putty.

2) Next suspect is where the tailpiece connects to side of disposal.
The tailpiece lets the water flow out of disposal
The tailpiece is usually sealed with a rubber gasket
This rubber gasket can leak
Take it apart. Is the rubber part wet on the outside?
You might be able to buy another rubber gasket... but not likely ...
Good news: you can also seal up this kind of gasket using Rectoseal
Rectoseal is a brand name for a gooey pipe joint compound.
I like it because it's so gooey, and you smear in on with a bush that comes with the can.
Cover the outside of rubber gasket with plenty of rectoseal and then reassemble and see if leak continues.
Use Rectoseal on the washers when putting together any tubular drain pipe under the sink

3) Last suspect is the rubber hose that feeds into the garbage disposal from the dishwasher.
Does your garbage disposal leak when the dishwasher is running?
Try running dishwasher without putting any water down the sink
The rubber dishwasher hose connects to disposal with a clamp.

4) If the water leak is small, I use klenex tissue as a tester.
Tissue shows the smallest amount of water
Put the tissue on a damp area and it shows on the tissue
Start at the top of disposal and work your way down until you find the origin of the water.

Hope we saved you a dollar.