This repair guide will help you fix your garbage disposal.
Need a Replacement Garbage Disposal?
Price: $114.00
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Common Symptoms & Causes
These signs typically point to a failing or improperly sealed sink flange on your garbage disposal.
🔨 Pro Tip from Dave
On the Badger 5, the snap ring that locks the lower mounting assembly tends to slip out of its groove during reinstallation — a mistake I see constantly that causes the unit to drop right back down and leak again. Always use a flathead screwdriver to firmly seat the snap ring into all three grooves of the flange before tightening the mounting screws. Also inspect part number 12001685 (the fiber gasket) for compression damage, as a worn gasket is often the silent culprit behind a persistent flange leak.
- Water pooling under the sink directly below the disposal unit
- Visible moisture or rust staining around the sink drain opening
- A slow drip that worsens when the disposal is running
- Plumber’s putty or old sealant visible and crumbling around the flange rim
This issue is most commonly caused by deteriorated plumber’s putty, a loose mounting assembly, or corrosion on the flange itself from years of normal use.
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How Much Does This Repair Cost?
Fixing a sink flange leak yourself typically costs between $5 and $20 for a new flange, plumber’s putty, and mounting hardware. Hiring a professional plumber or appliance technician usually runs $150 to $300 once you factor in the service call and labor fees. Tackling this repair as a DIY project can save you well over $100.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my garbage disposal leak is coming from the sink flange?
Look for water pooling directly beneath the sink flange where the disposal meets the sink basin. If the leak appears at the very top of the unit rather than the sides or bottom, a failed flange seal is almost certainly the cause.
Do I need to replace the entire garbage disposal to fix a flange leak?
No, you typically only need to reseal or replace the sink flange itself. This is a straightforward repair that leaves the disposal unit intact.
What type of plumber’s putty should I use when resealing the sink flange?
Use a standard, non-staining plumber’s putty for most kitchen sinks. If your sink is made of granite or composite material, choose a silicone-based sealant instead to avoid discoloration.
Recommended Products
These are the parts and tools we recommend for this repair, based on compatibility and customer reviews:
- InSinkErator Quick Lock Mounting Flange, Stainless Steel, QLM-00
- InSinkErator SMG-00 Standard Mounting Gasket, Black (Compatible only with InSinkErator Badger, 444, 60s, 80s, Contractor 333 and Evergrind disposer models)
- IN-SINK-ERATOR 05298 Flange Body
- 1470 Garbage Disposal Gasket for In-Sink Erator,fit for InSinkEerator Models 333,17 and 77 Garbage Disposer,Replacement for In Sink Erator Division (INSJU) 1470 Gasket
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