Hello,

I need some advice before I call a plumber as I'd rather avoid paying for multiple trips. My kitchen sink is either leaking somewhere in the connection between the sink and the garbage disposal, or the garbage disposal itself is cracked/leaking somewhere. Unfortunately it's happening behind the disposal so it's very hard to see where exactly it's coming from. I can feel there's a wet spot on the top slanted part of the disposal, but can't tell if it's leaking there (seems unlikely?) or dripping down from above, although I can't tell from where.

I need to have a plumber come and take a look. But I'm wondering, though I realize this is hard to predict, is it more likely to be a connection somewhere or the disposal itself? I'm contemplating purchasing a new disposal and having it ready, so if it turns out to be that, the plumber can install it immediately rather than having to return.

Any advice? Thanks.

It's unlikely that the connection between the sink and disposal would just start leaking. It's much more likely that the disposal has rusted through and will need to be replaced. You might take a flashlight and mirror and observe the area around the wet spot to confirm.

It could also be the connection where the disposer is fastened to the sink. A new disposer is probably the best idea, although I do not like to have the customer buy it, because they often look for the cheapest one, and they can be more difficult to install.

usually when disposers leak the water comes out the bottom not out the top half..
if you do buy a new machine, get the exact same make/model.
if there is a gasket leaking it is just as much work to take everything apart to repair/replace a gasket as it is to haul the machine out and replace it with a new one.
in fact if the plumber has to take a trip to find/buy a new gasket... well, that's more work than just replacing..