insinkerator leak! should i try fixing it?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › insinkerator leak! should i try fixing it?

Batman

Mad Scientist
29769 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#96990 8-Feb-2012 19:09

Just moved in to our house for 1 week, yup 1 week.

It came with an insinkertor, the first time we ever used one. My friend said chicken bones are ok, but not harder eg prok/beef bones.

After insinkerating for 3 days noticed leaking coming through the bottom of the housing, right where the motor is. Obviously it has been leaking for a while, and the owners didn't tell us! That's the most likely explanation, but it could well be a new fault.

Now the thing is - worth me attempting to open it and fixing it?

Buy new insinkerator - which brand is best - ?

1 | 2

210 posts

Master Geek

#578888 8-Feb-2012 19:21

I had a small leak in our insink irator mid last year, i look at where it was leaking and it was a small leak from where the waste pipe connects to the device. I rang my plumber, and he said to disassemble the unit, and clean all the rust/gunk that had formed around the outlet. I also saw that the rubber ring gasget was munted and looked up the unit online and found a part # for it. Replacement cost aprox, $5.00. Put it all back together and its been fine ever since.

The plumber said, that if that didn't work then just go and buy a new unit.

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#578924 8-Feb-2012 20:53

These things are a pain, and I wouldn't buy another. I have tried to fixed several of them taht have developed problems. Sometimes they leak in the top chamber due to corrosion and a hole has developed, as the top part appears to be made from aluminum. Alternatviely they can leak through the pipe , usually because of a crack. In my case they had disconintued the part I needed as they had gone to a new system, and it was cheaper to buy a new one, than to get a plumber to remove and repipe it as a normal sink. I would just buy the cheapest, bauce I had one of hte expensive ones with the stainless steel parts, and it didn't last any longer than the cheap ones. The only difference is the cheap ones are noisier. I still have one, but I don't use, it is basically to fill a hole in the sink, and the new house owner can have it it.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#579311 9-Feb-2012 15:39

I'm not sure why people use waste disposals and don't just throw their waste in the bin (if not composting etc). Doesn't it end up in the same place?

Batman

Mad Scientist
29769 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#579352 9-Feb-2012 16:35

Less work I guess. But let me reiterate as for me, it came with the house

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#579357 9-Feb-2012 16:54

joker97: Less work I guess. But let me reiterate as for me, it came with the house

Not when you have to deal with fixing or replacing them, or the damage caused by them leaking. I am a bit surprised the council allows them to used in a way, because it does create extra load on the sewage systems.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#579368 9-Feb-2012 17:33

joker97: Less work I guess. But let me reiterate as for me, it came with the house

It's less work than chucking it in the bin?!

Dingbatt

6757 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#579371 9-Feb-2012 17:36

bazzer: I'm not sure why people use waste disposals and don't just throw their waste in the bin (if not composting etc). Doesn't it end up in the same place?

The waste disposal should be connectd to the sewerage so I guess it will end up in the same place if the solids from the treatment plant are taken to the landfill where general rubbish is.

We are on our third waste disposal in 20 years. A previous one was leaking around the outlet like mentioned earlier. The drips were hidden initially as they went down the inside of the casing and eventually appeared out the bottom but not before doing some damage on the way. Sad but true it is now cheaper to replace rather than repair.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#579373 9-Feb-2012 17:37

I'd recommend removing the unit and not replacing it.
It is likely to kill all your teaspoons over time also.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29769 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#579385 9-Feb-2012 18:14

probably cost the same for a plumber to convert to nothingness vs to replace i reckon? what do you think? it looks complicated to remove and fill with normal pipes - hence plumber who charges more than the audi dealer per hour

Batman

Mad Scientist
29769 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#579386 9-Feb-2012 18:14

(note i do NOT own an audi)

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#579393 9-Feb-2012 18:30

joker97: probably cost the same for a plumber to convert to nothingness vs to replace i reckon? what do you think? it looks complicated to remove and fill with normal pipes - hence plumber who charges more than the audi dealer per hour

Yes that is the conclusion I came to. But the problem is the older ones are plumbed differently from the newer ones, so you have to watch out for that, as you may need to do some plumbing yourself. If it is a staight swap though, that is usually the cheapest option.

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#579440 9-Feb-2012 20:24

Dingbatt: The waste disposal should be connectd to the sewerage so I guess it will end up in the same place if the solids from the treatment plant are taken to the landfill where general rubbish is.

I have never seen a sink maceration unit connected this way.
Everyone I've either owned or rented has gone straight into the waste (grey) water drain from the sink.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29769 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#579441 9-Feb-2012 20:30

bazzer:
joker97: Less work I guess. But let me reiterate as for me, it came with the house

It's less work than chucking it in the bin?!

for some reason our family generate A LOT of food waste - bones, vege skin, fruit skin, baby can't finish their food - i assure you no wasted food coz i am the solution for leftovers haha

our city council have no 'green'(organic) bins unlike some other councils.

HENCE the work comes from me squishing the darn city council bags to fit all our rubbish in. our biggest rubbish is from disposable nappies. I guess we can pay another $1.60 to use a second bag but ... hmmm ... 1.6x52x3 = a half new waste master! (minus installation)

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#579449 9-Feb-2012 20:38

oxnsox:
Dingbatt:?The waste disposal should be connectd to the sewerage so I guess it will end up in the same place if the solids from the treatment plant are taken to the landfill where general rubbish is.

I have never seen a?sink?maceration unit connected this way.
Everyone I've either owned or rented has gone straight into the waste (grey) water drain from the sink.?

It does, but the wastewater then goes into the sewage. It defianlty wouldn't go into the stormwater, if you have that service.

floydbloke

3523 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#579619 10-Feb-2012 10:40

mattwnz: I am a bit surprised the council allows them to used in a way, because it does create extra load on the sewage systems.

I pay about $60 a week in rates, and that doesn't include rubbish collection. Like most taxes, I struggle to perceive good value for money from that. I have absolutely no qualms with shoving as much through the waste disposal as I possibly can to keep the wheelie bin, paid for separately, available for more real rubbish.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

1 | 2