Whirlaway
Shared Drain Line Restriction / Improper Baffle Tee
Garbage disposal causes water to leak from adjacent sink basin when running
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Clogged common drain downstream of Whirlaway connection, Incorrectly installed baffle tee between double sinks, Partial blockage in cross-over pipe, High discharge from disposal forcing water into other basin
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn OFF the disposal and shut OFF power at the breaker before opening any plumbing.
- Step 1 – Observe behavior: Run water and operate the disposal while watching the other sink basin. If water rises there, the shared drain is restricted.
- Step 2 – Clean P-trap and baffle tee: Place a bucket under the sink, remove the P-trap and any baffle tee or cross-over pipes, and clear debris.
- Step 3 – Snake the drain: If the piping under the sink is clear, use a drain snake to clear the wall drain connection.
- Step 4 – Verify proper configuration: Ensure the disposal connects to the side of a baffle tee designed for disposals and that the tee is oriented correctly.
- Step 5 – Reassemble and test: Reinstall all components, tighten slip nuts, and test by running the disposal with water to confirm no backup into the other basin.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Baffle Tee and Shared Drain Piping
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