Zane the UN-plumber: How To Save $216.64

I know plumbers. And I'm no plumber. I am Zane the UN-plumber. In fact, I hate doing plumbing work so much I would rather go to the dentist, stand in line at the DMV, or have my fingers nails plucked off of my fingers one by one. But, I have to say, I'm pretty happy and proud of my latest plumbing victory.

I don't think it's a common problem. I had never seen it before. But, somehow, my garbage disposal developed a tiny pea-sized hole in the side of the canister, rendering the disposal, the sink, and dishwasher  incapacitated. I am thinking I am going to be dishing out at least $75 for a new disposal, and perhaps by the mercy of the plumbing gods be able to successfully install it myself. It's a task that should take about an hour to accomplish, but would most likely take me a week. And if not, I'm paying some professional plumber $150 or more for the install.

I laughed when my wife jokingly suggested duct tape. She wasn't so far off. Upon searching the internet I discovered a possible solution to my problem. A simple, inexpensive repair that could possibly  get me another year or two's use of the disposal and save myself a wad of cash. So simple, that even me, Zane, the UN-plumber could do it. If I can do it, so can you.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: duct tape, plumber's putty, sand paper,  your fingers

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:
1)  Be sure the disposal is good and dry inside and out. It's suggested you go 12 hours without using it before attempting the repair.
2)  I don't know if you HAVE to do this, but it's probably a good idea to take a little piece of sandpaper and sand a little bit around the hole. This should help the putty adhere to the canister surface.
3) Cut off  a piece of putty - maybe a half-inch- and knead it in your hands until it's soft and pliable and roll it into a wad like a piece of chewing gum.
4) Next, stick the putty in the hole and  begin to flatten it out with your fingers so the putty extends beyond the hole about an inch or so. Make sure the putty is pressed firmly against the canister and the edges of the putty pressed down tight along the edges.
5) Finally, take a piece or two of duct tape and cover the repaired area, wrapping the tape as far around the canister as possible. Take your finger and smooth out the duct tape, pressing it in as tightly as possible to the canister.
6) The directions on the putty say to wait three hours before exposing it to water, but I went the extra mile and let it set overnight. In the morning, I ran water in the sink, and turned on the disposal and checked for leaks. None. I proceeded to run the dishwasher, again double checking for a possible leak, but found none.

It may not look pretty, but for under 10 bucks and less than 10 minutes of my time, my garbage disposal was repaired and I have a new-found confidence in my plumbing ability. It could have cost me somewhere around $225 or more, but I only spent $8.36. Total savings - $216.64. I guess only time will tell how long my repair job will last, but for now, chalk one up for Zane - the UN-plumber.