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    B Martens's Avatar
    B Martens Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Oct 26, 2006, 06:00 AM
    Garbage disposal leaking water
    Hello,

    Please help.

    There was a child's plastic spoon jammed in the disposal at the grinding wheel. I got a socket wrench around the flywheel nut and twisted counterclockwise and was able to dislodge it. I hooked everything back up, ran water and turned on the disposal and water leaked out the bottom. Why? And what do I do to fix it?

    Thank you,
    Sink is beginning to stink
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Oct 26, 2006, 06:07 AM
    "I hooked everything back up,"
    What did you unhook? Why?
    Regards, Tom
    B Martens's Avatar
    B Martens Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Oct 26, 2006, 06:30 AM
    Hi, thanks for your reply

    I unhooked the power, the drain, the dishwasher intake. Why? So I had better grip to remove the spoon.

    What did I do wrong?
    B
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #4

    Oct 26, 2006, 10:33 AM
    What did I do wrong?

    When I find out you're going to be the first to know.

    I want you run water into and fire up the disposal. Now take a paper towel and rub it around the sides. Did the towel come away damp? Does the outside of the disposal have moisture on it? Back to you. Tom
    B Martens's Avatar
    B Martens Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Oct 27, 2006, 08:03 AM
    I did what you asked and water ran through the disposal to the catch basin on the floor. I had a hard time getting the socket unto the flywheel nut due to rust caking so I tapped it into place with a mallet. I was as gentle as I could be. Was I rougher than I thought and knocked something out of place?

    Thank you.

    Sorry about the delayed responses. Taking care of two three and under at the same time so it takes a while.

    B
    iamgrowler's Avatar
    iamgrowler Posts: 1,421, Reputation: 110
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    #6

    Oct 27, 2006, 08:27 AM
    It sounds like you may have damaged the seal between the motor housing and the macerator housing.
    B Martens's Avatar
    B Martens Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Oct 27, 2006, 10:00 AM
    Hmm.

    So does that mean that the disposal is shot? For future reference how do I confirm I damaged the seal between the motor housing and the macerator housing.

    Thanks iamgrowler
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #8

    Oct 27, 2006, 12:59 PM
    If the outside of the unit was dry and water ran out the bottom then Growler's correct and the seal has been ruptured. I never use the wrench to dislodge a item that's caught between the table and the wall. I carry a 20" broom handle in the van that I use to lever the table backward. I get better leverage that way. Sorry about your disposal. If you plan on replacing it try to get the same unit. That way you won't have to remove and reinstall a new drain assembly. You can just use the same one and save yourself some time and labor. Good luck, Tom
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