What would cause a ring of holes in a garbage disposal?

[Chaotic42]

I developed a leak under my sink (and it got funky). I thought I had it isolated, but it turns out that my garbage disposal has a ring of holes which are shooting out water (particularly that one on the left). Here's a pic:

Link

Does anyone have any idea what could have caused that? I'm assuming I need a new one, but I'm honestly just curious about this. I'm going to have to replace the bottom of the cupboard underneath it (which should be fun).

Any thoughts?

 

[Ichinisan]

I developed a leak under my sink (and it got funky). I thought I had it isolated, but it turns out that my garbage disposal has a ring of holes which are shooting out water (particularly that one on the left). Here's a pic:

Link

Does anyone have any idea what could have caused that? I'm assuming I need a new one, but I'm honestly just curious about this. I'm going to have to replace the bottom of the cupboard underneath it (which should be fun).

Any thoughts?

I've never looked at a garbage disposal. Maybe the coils in the motor are burning-up and they've melted through layers, inside and out.

 

[deadlyapp]

I've never looked at a garbage disposal. Maybe the coils in the motor are burning-up and they've melted through layers, inside and out.

That's part of the draining/grinding area, the motor portions don't go up that high.

Only thing I can think of is that you're getting some nasty shit in there and it's being pushed/banged up against the sides of the canister putting wear on it.

Do you clean it out regularly with drano or anything weird that could be corrosive?

 

[2timer]

Probably, there is a loose or broken fastener somewhere, and I'm guessing the blade is slapping against the side somehow?

 

[Chaotic42]

That's part of the draining/grinding area, the motor portions don't go up that high.

Only thing I can think of is that you're getting some nasty shit in there and it's being pushed/banged up against the sides of the canister putting wear on it.

Do you clean it out regularly with drano or anything weird that could be corrosive?

Nope. I rarely use the thing, other than as a path for water to go down as part of the normal drain.

 

[Chaotic42]

So what kind of person do I call to remove this thing, tear out the soggy wood, fix the cabinet, and put in a new disposal? I've never had any general home repair done, and I'd kill myself trying to do it.

 

[exdeath]

That's part of the draining/grinding area, the motor portions don't go up that high.

Only thing I can think of is that you're getting some nasty shit in there and it's being pushed/banged up against the sides of the canister putting wear on it.

This.

Hard items caught between the plastic housing and the impeller will be interference fit and cause stretching/cracking of the plastic.

If you want to solve the problem exdeath style once and for all /done, get a nicer $200+ unit with a steel housing.

 

[Chaotic42]

This.

Hard items caught between the plastic housing and the impeller will be interference fit and cause stretching/cracking of the plastic.

If you want to solve the problem exdeath style once and for all /done, get a nicer $200+ unit with a steel housing.

I want the new one to be bullet proof. I don't mind spending money on quality. I'm just concerned about who will tear out "The Blob" and replace all of that. I don't guess Lowes offers that kind of stuff, do they?

Would a plumber be able to remove and rebuild the cabinet?

 

[Bubbaleone]

So what kind of person do I call to remove this thing, tear out the soggy wood, fix the cabinet, and put in a new disposal? I've never had any general home repair done, and I'd kill myself trying to do it.

That outer housing is a die-casting, either pot-metal or aluminum, and because of the difference in the dielectric properties of the internal steel components ( i.e., inner basket, cutter, motor shaft, etc.) and the cast pot-metal or aluminum outer housing, the housing becomes a sacrificial anode and slowly corrodes over time.

The bubbled areas are where the corrosion has actually broken through and are probably adjacent to where the inner steel basket is in closest proximity to the cast outer housing. You''ll want a licensed plumber to replace the disposal (if you don't want more problems later on) and he will likely know several good cabinet/coumtertop guys to recommend.


.

 

[Paratus]

That outer housing is a die-casting, either pot-metal or aluminum, and because of the difference in the dielectric properties of the internal steel components ( i.e., inner basket, cutter, motor shaft, etc.) and the cast pot-metal or aluminum outer housing, the housing becomes a sacrificial anode and slowly corrodes over time.

The bubbled areas are where the corrosion has actually broken through and are probably adjacent to where the inner steel basket is in closest proximity to the cast outer housing. You''ll want a licensed plumber to replace the disposal (if you don't want more problems later on) and he will likely know several good cabinet/coumtertop guys to recommend.


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Meh, I've replaced mine and it went fairly well. That being said he had two jobs. Repair the cabinet and replace the disposal. Home Depot might be willing to do the whole thing for you.

 

[Lanyap]

That fly is eating it.

 

[exdeath]

That outer housing is a die-casting, either pot-metal or aluminum, and because of the difference in the dielectric properties of the internal steel components ( i.e., inner basket, cutter, motor shaft, etc.) and the cast pot-metal or aluminum outer housing, the housing becomes a sacrificial anode and slowly corrodes over time.

The bubbled areas are where the corrosion has actually broken through and are probably adjacent to where the inner steel basket is in closest proximity to the cast outer housing. You''ll want a licensed plumber to replace the disposal (if you don't want more problems later on) and he will likely know several good cabinet/coumtertop guys to recommend.


.

It's plastic. Most all but the highest end disposals use a plastic outer housing.

You don't need a licensed plumber. Quick disconnect ring and gasket turns 90 degrees to lock to the sink, two screws and an o-ring to the main drain out, hose clamp for the dish washer drain line going to the top, and plug it into the wall. There is no soldering or anything that might require a professional plumber. There's a 5 step installation diagram with pictures, anybody can do it. Especially anybody on AT who presumably can build a PC can do this in 5 minutes.

Wood on the other hand, better left to a carpenter/contractor if you aren't comfortable with a saw, and making a part of your home uglier before it gets better, shimming and leveling, etc. Most people have a hard time with the demolition aspect of repairing things like that. It's like dropping your car off at the body shop, if you have no idea what they have to do before it can look new again, you're better off not watching.

 

[Chaotic42]

It's plastic. Most all but the highest end disposals use a plastic outer housing.

My completely wild ass guess is that the corrosion occurred on the inside and finally ate its way out. Either way, I guess it's time to drop some cash tomorrow. I just ordered a new monitor too.

 

[John Connor]

I repaired a garbage disposal when I was 15!

 

[jaedaliu]

I repaired a garbage disposal when I was 15!

You're also the leader of the resistance. I don't think it's fair to compare yourself with normal humans.

To the OP: If you aren't handy around the house, you need to find a handyman that knows his limits and won't bullshit you. (and charges a reasonable amount for his work)

 

[boomerang]

Got a dishwasher? It discharges into the garbage disposal. Modern dishwashing detergents are highly corrosive and will eat through a garbage disposal like that. The spinning impeller inside flings the detergent onto the inner perimeter of the disposal and the results are what you see. I've gone through several because of this.

Your only hope is to drop big coin on an all stainless steel model which should last far longer but will still ultimately fail. Research carefully because you want an all SS grind chamber and manufacturers use tricky wording. Or, just buy a cheap one and replace it every so many years.

 

[DrPizza]

Replacing garbage disposal: simple job for the average homeowner. There are plenty of guides online, including youtube.

Replacing the cabinet floor under the disposal: simple job for the average homeowner. Again, plenty of how-to videos online. The most common method: cut out most of it, leaving an edge around the perimeter. Slide one piece of plywood (or two, if necessary) into the cabinet and lay it over. Depending on how the cabinet is built, and if you use one vs. two pieces, you may want more wood underneath it to support it in the center. Around here, there's a hardware store that sells 1" thick, (I think it's 11 plies?) cabinet grade plywood that was salvaged from apple juice crates. More than big enough, for $10. Can be finished very nicely with some stain & poly, or primed and painted.

 

[jupiter57]

That outer housing is a die-casting, either pot-metal or aluminum, and because of the difference in the dielectric properties of the internal steel components ( i.e., inner basket, cutter, motor shaft, etc.) and the cast pot-metal or aluminum outer housing, the housing becomes a sacrificial anode and slowly corrodes over time.

The bubbled areas are where the corrosion has actually broken through and are probably adjacent to where the inner steel basket is in closest proximity to the cast outer housing. You''ll want a licensed plumber to replace the disposal (if you don't want more problems later on) and he will likely know several good cabinet/coumtertop guys to recommend.


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^What he said.
It's corroded (ROTTEN!)

It's plastic. Most all but the highest end disposals use a plastic outer housing.

It's clearly NOT Plastic.
Plastic does not corrode.
This housing is clearly corroded.

 

[exdeath]

Why don't we just have OP tell us if it's plastic or not.

 

[OutHouse]

replace it with this.

http://www.costco.com/WasteKing®-1-HP-Universal-Mount-Garbage-Disposer.product.11289741.html

 

[Pulsar]

You can pull it out yourself. Do so.

Call a local carpenter for the interior of the cabinet. Check your local ace / hardware store for recommendations. They always know. Once it's replaced, buy a new garbage disposal and then call a plumber.

Plumbers are like $60-90 / hr. Tearing one out is easy. Putting them in and having all the sleeves / gaskets is the pain. Tear it out yourself.