Leaks what? Water? Air?

This is a really strange problem you're describing, there shouldn't be water near your switch, certainly not enough to leak. This is probably going to require photos to understand.

it’s just a tube. Replace it. Simple.

this is it on the counter. if I use the button mid dishwash with hands wet and water gets on it, it leaks under the counter. should I just get a new one?

It’s not seated properly/not installed properly, and not placed properly. Who chose that spot for the hole? It should have been farther away from the faucet handle. But also it looks like the hole in the counter was not drilled correctly. It’s supposed to look like these photos.

One thing you could do is turn your faucet handle to the front, or if it won’t do that, buy another faucet that has a handle that will. Here is a thread about that: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2442104/positioning-single-handle-kitchen-faucet

I am not a huge fan of air switches. They always get grimy and after a while they either get stuck or they leak. They also are hard to operate, as you need to push them hard. I also don't really like having the switch mounted on my countertop. There usually are nicer spots somewhere else in the kitchen. This is all frustrating, as there are perfectly nice capacitive touch switches that we use in other consumer products all over the place. But manufacturers only make air switches for this particular application.

I'd much rather have something like:

It is possible to build your own relay modules for this purpose. But it takes DIY skills. At the very least, you need to know how to solder. But if you do, then something like this would be a good starting point: https://github.com/gutschke/garbagedisposal

"I am not a huge fan of air switches. They always get grimy and after a while they either get stuck or they leak. They also are hard to operate, as you need to push them hard."

Which would you rather do with wet/messy hands:

1. Open a sink cabinet door to access the disposal switch. (Common here in Florida.)

2. Reach across your countertop to a wall switch.

3. Delicately tap one finger onto a disposal switch mounted on a stainless steel sink deck?

I''ve had air switches on disposals in two homes, since 2003. Never had anything get grimy. Never had one get stuck. Never had a leak.

so I'm having my personal plumber install a new one. not the contractors sub. I find it hard to believe it's the actual button versus the installation.

No issues with any air switches over the last 20 years either.

so maybe it's the switch? if I use wet hands and drops get on it. bam ...drips under the sink.

You don’t need a new one. You need that one installed correctly. It’s a really simple device. The tubing may not be seated correctly. The switch certainly isn’t seated correctly. If you get water in your sink cabinet from the air switch hole, something isn’t right. Also take a look at the silicone seal between your sink and counter.

I don’t deal with any of this stuff, or anything that Joe Corlett listed. My disposal is a batch feed style. There is no switch needed at all (versus a continuous feed style that needs a switch) It is operated by pushing down the cover to start it, and pulling up the cover to stop it. Safer with children around too. No rubbery flange either. I will never have any other kind of disposal than a batch feed, so I don’t have to deal with a switch or a flange.

I've had batch feed disposals too, but prefer one with an air switch. If other people put stuff into the sink, but they didn't run the disposal, the next person can start to do stuff and find that the water isn't draining ... you then have to stick your hand with the cover into the dirty backed up water to push the cover in and run the disposal. Yuck!

I'll stick to my air switch!

Chispa - I’ve not had that happen.

so it's been fixed. the contractors plumber can and reinstalled it flush on the counter and no issues since. wish it was done right the first time though.

Yay! Glad it was a good fix!

Hi @caprice Moore I know this has been 2 years ago but I got a similar problem. What is it that worked out for u in the end? Just reinstalling a new one? Thanks!

Hi Jieming, we just had a the plumber reinstall it. We did not replace it. It was not flush with the counter so probably leaking around/under it