New Garbage Disposal Shot?

[NH]

A week ago my friend and I installed a new In-Sink-Erator 444 garbage disposal, along with a new dishwasher. Had no problems with either until last night. While the dishwasher was running, both sides of the sink started filling with water -- the kitchen drain had gotten clogged.

Here's the weird part: while the water sat backed-up in both sides of the sink (took hours to drain), the garbage disposal was leaking from several places on the BOTTOM of the disposal and had created a small lake under the sink before we noticed it. It was dripping from the screws, from the reset button...pretty much everywhere there was the smallest of openings.

The plumber came and fixed the clog in the drain today and now there's no more leaking from the garbage disposal, whether we fill the sink with water, run the dishwasher or run the disposal.

I have two questions:

Does it make sense that a clogged kitchen drain and a sink full of water could create enough pressure to force water out of the bottom of the garbage disposal?

And more importantly, even if it won't leak again, is it likely that the water caused some internal damage to the disposal? Should I have it replaced?

Thanks!

NH

[David Babcock]

Let me get this straight, you put a garbage disposal on your sink without checking the condition of the drain? That is one of the first things that comes to mind, and then you probably put all sorts of garbage down the disposal to see how it works. Maybe it's not your problem, because I realize the device is misnamed. It is NOT a garbage disposal, you are not supposed to see how much trash you can stuff down it. It should have been named "Small pieces that you didn't scrap off the plate grinder so it can wash it down the drain". Now about your questions. No both sinks filling with water shouldn't be enough to make your disposal swallow water. But a blocked drain, and two sinks backing up, and a dish washer pumping water out on a wash cycle obviously is. If it doesn't leak anymore, and the motor runs when you flip the switch, it's okay. Have it replaced if you want, but tell the salesman how you stuffed all the old rotting food from your refrigerator in 2 minutes down the drain first. Maybe then he'll replace it.

Dave

[Rob Mills]

The 444 has an unconditional 4 year warranty (I just went through this) and they also have a lower seal problem. All you have to do is call the 1-800 insinkerator number and they will send a local appliance service out. He will look at it and say "we can't fix it here but will bring out a new unit and replace it free of charge". You don't have to do anything but stay out of the service guy's way. All you need is a receipt showing when you purchased it. RM~

[NH]

The drain was fine as far as we knew, and we were just replacing an older disposal anyway.

Interesting assumption, but no.

You mean I shouldn't have stuffed our old silverware down there?

We turned the dishwasher off and the disposal kept leaking until all the water had drained from the sink.

Very humorous stuff, Dave. I know you'll find this hard to believe, but not everyone with a leaky garbage disposal is a complete idiot.

NH

[Rob Mills]

I'll try wording this differently this time. I was told by the service tech that Insinkerator sent out that Insinkerator was having problems with the seals in their 444 models. Mine (2 years old) was leaking out the bottom just like yours and it was only noticeable when it was used a lot. If you call Insinkerator and tell them that yours is leaking out the bottom they will send a local appliance repair service out to verify and replace it free including labor. All you need is a sales receipt showing that it is less than 4 years old. RM~

[Dan O.]

No.

If the leak was *through* the disposer, yes. A disposal in that condition is referred to as a "wet unit" and in most cases will be replaced by a factory service depot rather than repaired. Some cheaper models may only offer 'over the counter' exchanges in which case *you* have to remove and return it to the dealer.

If it was leaking from the drain connection and just dribbling down the side of the disposal housing to the bottom where it was noticed, no.

That is not up to you but whomever is warranting it, in your cases namely In-Sink-Erator. The selling dealer *may* have a replacement policy but it is rare for appliances. If you read the warranty it will usually say "repair or replace... at our (ISE's) discretion".

JFYI

Dan O.

- Appliance411.com

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