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Water shows up under the sink only while the disposal runs
What clues help distinguish a leaking drain connection from a crack in the disposal housing or a leak at the sink flange? Water appearing beneath the disposal doesn’t necessarily mean the housing is where it starts, and I’m unsure how much the timing narrows it down.
How would you safely look for fresh drips while the disposal is running, without reaching into it? Would comparing what happens during ordinary sink draining with what happens during disposal use help locate the source? If the leak appears only when the disposal runs, is it best to stop using it until the source is clear?
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Compare dry-paper-towel checks with the disposer off, first after ordinary draining and then - only if safe and there’s no electrical hazard - after a brief run. Keep hands and tools out; use a flashlight from a clear distance and inspect only after switching it off. A damp spot starting at a drain joint suggests that connection; water beginning at the sink-to-disposer rim points toward the flange, while a wet spot on the housing may indicate a housing leak. Follow the highest fresh wet point: water can run down and mislead. Timing helps narrow it down but doesn’t prove the source; if it leaks during operation, stop using it until checked.
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