How To Install A Garbage Disposal?
Table of Contents
A garbage disposal is a must-needed appliance in the modern kitchen. It helps break down the food waste, making it easy to flush down to avoid clogs in the pipe.
However, the efficiency of the food waste disposal (the other name of this unit) significantly hinges on proper installation. Knowing how to install a garbage disposal ensures optimal performance of the unit.
Here are some benefits of a properly installed garbage disposal:
- Help you avoid leaks and electric shock hazards
- Improve the functionality and shredding capacity of the unit
- Minimize the risk of jams and prolong the lifespan of your kitchen plumbing
In this guide, I will walk you through step-by-step procedures to install the garbage disposal like a pro. Additionally, I will describe how you can use and maintain food waste disposal properly to extend the lifespan of the garbage disposal.
Without further delay, let’s jump in.
Note: This installation procedure will help you connect your dishwasher to the disposal machine.
What Are The Essential Tools You Need To Install A Garbage Disposal?
Here are the list of essential tools typically needed to install a garbage disposal:
- Hammer
- Screwdriver (both flathead and Phillips head)
- Channel-type pliers
- Hacksaw
- Putty knife
- Allen wrench
- Bucket
- Rag
- A new garbage disposal unit
- Wire nuts
- Cable connector
- Electrical cord
- Plumber putty
- Safety gloves and goggles
How To Install A Garbage Disposal?
Here are the steps involved in installing a garbage disposal:
1. Removal of Old Food Waste Disposal
- Turn off the electric power supply at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Then, detach the drain trap from the waste discharge tube and disconnect the dishwasher if connected to the disposer.
- Support the disposer, insert the end of the wrenchette into the right side of the mounting lug, and turn. The disposal will fall free.
- Flip the disposal over, use a screwdriver to unscrew the cover plate, and remove it. Save the cable connector if applicable.
- Disconnect the disposal wires from the electric supply.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the three screws on the mounting assembly and remove the snap ring using a screwdriver.
2. Install the Flange Into the Sink Hole
- Remove flange from the sink and scrape off the old plumber’s putty with a putty knife.
- Apply ½” thick rope of plumber’s putty evenly around the sink flange.
- Install the sink flange into the sink drain by pressing it firmly. Don’t forget to remove the excess putty.
3. Attach the Upper Mounting Assembly
- Place a weight like the waste disposal on the sink flange to hold it in place. To avoid scratching the sink, put a towel under the disposal.
- Insert the fiber gasket, backup flange, and the mounting ring. Hold in place while inserting the snap ring. Pull the snap ring open and press firmly until it snaps into place.
- Use a screwdriver to tighten three mounting screws evenly and firmly against the backup flange.
- If you connect a dishwasher, remove the drain plug. Regarding this, turn the disposal onto the side and knock out the drain plug with a screwdriver by hammering it. Then, take out the plug from inside of the disposal using the pliers.
4. Connect the Disposal to Electric Supply
- Turn the disposal over, unscrew the electric cover plate, and remove it. Then, pull out wires.
- Insert the cable connector and run the electric cable through the access hole on the bottom of the disposal. Secure the cable connector by tightening it.
- This disposal (InSinkErator Badger 5) requires a switch with a marked ‘Off’ position installed within sight of the disposal sink opening.
- Connect the white wire from the disposal to the neutral (white) wire from the power source. Next, attach the disposal’s black wire to the hot (black or red) wire from the power source.
- Attach the ground wire to the green grounding screw. You should ground the unit for safe and proper installation.
- Push wires into the disposal, reinstall the electric cover plate, and secure it with nuts.
- Trim the discharge tube (if required) with a hacksaw to ensure proper fit.
- Slide flange over the discharge tube and insert gasket into the discharge outlet. Secure the flange and the discharge tube to the disposal with two bolts. Although the supplied discharge tube is preferable, you can use a straight discharge tube.
5. Connect the Disposal to the Mounting Assembly
- Hang the disposal by aligning 3 mounting tabs with slide-up ramps on the mounting ring.
- Keep turning the mounting ring with an allen wrench until all the three mounting tabs lock over the ridges on the slide-up ramps.
- Detach the removable portion of the spec label and place it on a visible location.
- Reconnect the plumbing
- Insert the stopper into the sink opening. Fill the sink with water and test for leaks. Finally, restore the power to the unit at the circuit breaker or the fuse box.
How Do You Use And Maintain Garbage Disposal?
A proper use of the garbage disposal can make the kitchen cleaning task convenient. Following the steps mentioned below help you ensure that the food waste goes down the disposal instead of sticking in the disposal.
- Remove the stopper from the sink opening and turn on cold water for a few seconds.
- Turn on your disposer by flipping the switch to the On position to start grinding the food. You can find the disposer switch on the right side of the sink.
- Slowly put the food waste in the disposal. You can place the stopper in the sink opening to avoid possible ejection of material while grinding.
- Once grinding is complete, turn off the disposal and run cold water for a few seconds to flush the drain.
Maintenance Tips:
Over time, food particles can build up in the grind chamber and baffle. An unpleasant smell from the disposal is a sign of food buildup. To clean the buildup, follow these cleaning procedures:
- Place the stopper in the sink opening. Fill the sink halfway with water.
- Pour ¼ baking soda and mix it with water.
- Turn on your disposal unit and remove the stopper at once to wash away loose particles.
FAQs
Can I install a garbage disposal, or do I need a professional?
Yes, you can install a garbage disposal with basic DIY skills and having the right tools at your fingertips. However, if you are uncomfortable with plumbing or electrical work, it will be best to call a certified plumber to install the garbage disposal professionally.
What safety precautions should I take before starting the installation?
Verify that you turn off the electric supply at the circuit breaker. Please wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself from debris and sharp edges.
How do I choose the right garbage disposal unit for my sink?
Consider the types of garbage disposal, the size of your household, and how much space there is underneath the cabinet before choosing a garbage disposal. Lastly, take the horsepower of the garbage disposal into account. A garbage disposal with higher horsepower will be the best bait for larger households and heavy use.
What is the average time required to install a garbage disposal?
Typically, it requires up to 2-4 hours to install garbage disposal successfully, depending on your skills and the complexity of the plumbing & electric setup.
Do I need any special plumbing or electrical skills to install a garbage disposal?
Installing a garbage disposal requires basic plumbing and electrical skills. Garbage disposal installation requires connecting the disposal to the sink drain and wiring the unit to an electric power source. You may even need to modify the plumbing to install a garbage disposal.
What type of sink is compatible with a garbage disposal?
Most standard kitchen sinks are compatible with garbage disposal. What you need to consider is the available space under the sink cabinet.
How do I disconnect and remove the old garbage disposal?
Unplug the garbage disposal from the electric outlet. Then, detach the electrical connections and plumbing. Unscrew the mounting assembly using a wrench and remove the old garbage disposal.
What steps are involved in preparing the sink for the new garbage disposal?
Clean the sink flange and the drain opening. Then, apply the plumber’s putty around the flange. Use a putty knife to scrape excess putty to keep the surface even. Now, press the sink flange into the drain opening. Finally, attach the mounting assembly to the flange.
How do I properly mount the new garbage disposal to the sink?
Attach the mounting ring to the disposal by securing it with nuts to mount the new garbage disposal to the sink. After installing the flange, align the disposal tab with the mounting ring. Finally, insert the wrench into the loop and rotate the tabs until the disposal locks into place.
What is the correct way to connect the garbage disposal to the plumbing?
Connect the disposal’s discharge tube to the drain pipes. Ensure the connections are secure and properly sealed to prevent leaks.
What should I do if the garbage disposal doesn't turn on after installation?
Verify that you plug the garbage disposal into an electric outlet and that the circuit breaker for the disposal is in the On position. If the garbage disposal doesn’t come on, check out this article on InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting to discover other troubleshooting steps.
What should I do if the garbage disposal leaks after installation?
Inspect all the connections & fittings and tighten the connections if required. Afterward, check the sink flange and ensure it’s sealed properly with the plumber’s putty. Don’t hesitate to call a professional if the leak persists.
Conclusion
I described how to install a garbage disposal like a professional. Here is a quick recap of the installation procedure:
- Remove old disposal
- Install flange into sink hole
- Attach mounting assembly
- Connect disposal to electrical supply
- Connect disposal to the mounting assembly
- Reconnect plumbing and test for leaks
Following the instructions, homeowners like you can save up to $250 on installation costs.
Once you install the garbage disposal, follow the garbage disposal maintenance tips to prolong the lifespan of the unit.
Related: How To Install A Moen Garbage Disposal
Sohel Rana is the founder of FixTheDisposal.Com. He is a plumbing expert with 7+ years of hands-on repairing garbage disposals, water heaters, space heaters, and other appliances used in a home. Before the launch of Fix The Disposal, he wrote and provided advice on water heaters, sump pumps, and space heater repairing & troubleshooting tips for LilDutchUncle.Com.
