Badger 1/2 hp in sink erator (garbage disposal) steady stream leaks from the bottom near the reset button. It appears to be coming from a drain outlet (a small hole, dia. approx size of smallest screw ), approx 10 years old. Can I stick something in the hole? So to stop this leak with some sort of plug or perhaps a small screw? Would plugging this small dia..hole with a plug or putty, would a self repair plug potential additional damage as oppose to fixing the system?

You might be able to buy time filling hole with epoxy or silicone caulk and let dry for 2 days.
10-year old garbage disposal had a good run.
Disposal will need to be replaced at some point.

When I worked apartment maintenance, we replaced disposal with same brand disposal.
That way we didn't have to change out sink basket.
How to: Disconnect p-trap and tailpiece going into disposal.
Rotate connector disk clockwise that holds disposal to sink basket.
Before installing new disposal.
Attach electric wire to new disposal.
Attach dishwasher tube to new disposal. Knock out plug inside dishwasher opening.
Push new disposal up into place, and attach to old sink basket with new connector disk.
Use new connector washer.
Re-assemble tubular pipe.

If this is your home, you want new sink basket that comes with new disposal because it looks shiny and new.
Buy a tub of plumbers putty also.
Remove old sink basket and clean opening.
Put finger-size roll of plumbers putty around sink opening, and then push new strainer basket into plumbers putty.
Tighten basket from below, wipe away excess putty around sink opening.
Install new disposal as described above.


Tips for tubular pipes:
When taking apart tubular pipes, start at p-trap and take apart as few pieces as needed to do job.
On image below, loosen both upper and lower nuts, trap falls loose, and then work on disposal.
Any tubular drain pipe that gets moved while working under sink needs to be disassembled, cleaned and re-assembled.
Metal pipes have rubber washer >> always use new rubber washers.
Plastic pipes have plastic washers > plastic washers can be cleaned and re-used.
Plastic washers have flat side that goes toward nut, tapered side away from nut.



When reassembling tubular pipe, we use rectorseal on washers and joints.
Apply good amount on washer just before pushing washer in place and attaching nut.
Rectorseal will ensure tubular drain pipes won't leak.