Most people put off installing a garbage disposal because they think it is going to be a big job. It is not. If you can follow a few basic steps you can get this done on your own without calling anyone. Food scraps go in, get broken down, and wash out through the drain. The kitchen stays cleaner and the trash does not fill up as fast.
Before jumping into how to install a garbage disposal there are a few things worth knowing first. What to look for in your current unit, when to replace it, and what habits keep a new one running strong.
It sits under the kitchen sink and connects to the drain. When you flip the switch the plate inside spins and grinds food waste into small pieces. Water carries it all out through the pipe. Here is what you get out of it:
For Colorado Springs homeowners who cook regularly through the cold winter months it makes a real difference in how the kitchen feels day to day.
Before putting in something new it helps to know what went wrong with the old one. Watch for these warning signs:
Switch goes on, hum from under the sink, water just sits there. That is garbage disposal humming but not working. The motor has power but the plate is stuck and will not move.
Here is what to do:
Plate still not spinning? Motor is burned out. That unit needs to go.
Sink filling up and water not moving? That is almost always a clogged garbage disposal. Common causes when you need to Call for a Garbage Disposal Repair Service:
Turn the unit off. Look inside with a flashlight never put your hand in. See something? Use tongs. Nothing visible but still draining slow? The blockage is sitting further down the pipe past the unit.
Run cold water before turning the unit on and keep it going a few seconds after shutting off. Grease stays solid in cold water and moves out through the pipe instead of sticking to the walls.
Water pooling right under the base of the unit? Garbage disposal leaking from bottom means the internal seals gave out. Water gets into the motor every time the tap runs. No repair fixes this. The whole unit has to come out and a new one goes in.
Drip coming from the side? That is a loose pipe connection or a dried out gasket. Find the exact spot before touching anything. Tightening the wrong fitting just wastes time.
Every unit has a small garbage disposal button on the underside of the housing. It cuts the motor off when things get too hot or a jam hits the plate. Unit goes silent and the wall switch does nothing? Push that button first before assuming anything is broken.
A lot of Colorado Springs homeowners think their unit is done when the garbage disposal button just needs a firm push.
Reset button in. Outlet working. Unit still does nothing. That is a motor or wiring problem. Get someone to take a look and give you a straight answer. If the unit has already been repaired more than once put that money toward a new one instead.
How long do garbage disposals last comes down to daily use and what goes into it. A unit that always runs with cold water and stays away from grease and fibrous scraps holds up for a long time without much trouble.
Signs a unit is wearing out faster than it should:
Build quality plays a big role too. A better built unit holds up longer and causes far fewer problems down the road.
Before buying anything, open the cabinet under the sink and check for an outlet. No outlet means calling an electrician first. Once power is ready, install a garbage disposal takes about two hours.
Step 1: Breaker Off
Shut the kitchen circuit off at the breaker box. Nothing under the sink gets touched before this is done. No exceptions.
Step 2: Remove the Old Unit
Step 3: Install the Flange
Step 4: Prep the New Unit
Step 5: Mount and Connect
That is how to install a garbage disposal from start to finish.
Keeping the wrong things out is just as important as the installation itself. Avoid putting these in completely:
These are behind most of the problems people run into after a new unit goes in.
Now that you know how to install a garbage disposal the job is a lot less intimidating. Catch problems early, keep the wrong things out, and run cold water every cycle. Do that and your new unit will hold up for a long time without giving you much trouble. If something feels off after the install, go back through the warning signs in this guide. Catching a small issue early is always cheaper than dealing with it later.
How do I know when a disposal needs replacing?
Jams every week, water leaking from the base, motor humming with the plate not moving, smell that cleaning will not fix.
Why does my disposal hum but not work?
Plate seized up inside. Work the small L-shaped wrench in the bottom socket until it moves then push the reset button. Still humming? The motor is burned out.
Why is water coming from the bottom of my disposal?
Internal seals failed and water is getting into the motor. Cannot be repaired — needs a full replacement.
How long do garbage disposals last with regular care?
Cold water every cycle and keeping grease and fibrous food out goes a long way toward keeping it running strong.
What does the reset button do?
Cuts the motor off when it overheats or jams. Push it back in after clearing a jam and the unit starts right back up.
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