article

Replacing Your Garbage Disposal

By Bluehammer Admin

Your garbage disposal eats a lot of food and then one day it stops! The following are some helpful tips when it comes time to replace your Garbage Disposal.

It's broken.. or is it?

There are a few things you can do before you start heading to the local home improvement store or looking up plumbers. Important! Never put your hand down a garbage disposal while it's running!

  • Could it be jammed?Sometimes a hard piece that doesn't grind can fall into the drain and jam the unit making it seem like it is dead. Turn off your power, unplug your unit and remove the rubber part in the drain. Shine a light and make sure there is nothing stuck, if there is use pliers to fish it out.
  • Did you try the reset button?Garbage disposals work hard, sometimes too hard triggering their safety breaker. If you have been using your disposal before it shut off, wait ten minutes for it to cool down, and then press the reset button usually located on the bottom of the appliance.
  • Try and manually move the motorUnder the garbage disposal is a place for you to insert a hex wrench and manually move the motor. Doing this can loosen any jam and could get it working. Make sure your unit is off when you do this. After manually turning the motor back and forth try to turn on the garbage disposal.

Horsepower Options, Which One?

The most common household horsepower (hp) options for garbage disposals are 1/3hp, 1/2hp, 3/4hp and 1hp. For limited household use (1 -2 people) and grinding of soft foods a 1/3hp or 1/2hp unit will work although they will jam easier than the more powerful appliances. If you cook more and have a larger family it is suggested to lean more towards the larger 1hp appliances.

Cost Factors of Replacing Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage Disposals come in different types (continuous feed vs batch feed) and motor sizes. Below are the main cost factors in the project of replacing your garbage disposal.

  • Removal of the old garbage disposal
  • Purchase and installation of the new garbage disposal
  • Replacing drain lines (if applicable) and the material costs

Removing Your Garbage Disposal

Follow the steps below to remove your existing garbage disposal. It's a good idea to have a few bath towels on hand when disconnecting drain lines.

  • Turn off your powerTurning off your power is a good idea although you can also unplug the unit if it is plugged into the wall socket. Make sure your water is turned off.
  • Disconnect the drain linesYou will need to remove both the drain line from your dishwasher and the main drain tube from the garbage disposal.
  • Remove the unit from the mounting ringTo unhook the unit, twist the mounting ring until it dislodges. Be careful, garbage disposals can be heavy and once they dislodge they can surprise you.
  • Disconnect the electricalNow that your disposal is free, you can turn it over and remove the plate that holds the electrical wires. Disconnect the wires.
  • Remove remaining assembly parts (if needed)If you have purchased the same model of garbage disposal as before you can re-use the mounting hardware. If not, remove the mounting hardware and follow the directions that come with the new unit.

Installing Your New Garbage Disposal

Follow the steps below to install your new garbage disposal. Always refer to your appliance's installation directions

  • Install your new mounting hardware and mounting ring (if new)Clean where the old hardware was and refer to your appliance's instructions.
  • Prepare the connection to the dishwasher (if needed)If your dishwasher drained into your old garbage disposal you will need to prepare your new one. You will need to pop out the knockout plug for that connection. This can be done with a hammer and a screwdriver. Make sure to retrieve the plug from the unit before use.
  • Re-connect your electrical wiresSecurely re-connect your wires. Remove the electrical plate and take extra caution to connect the right wires to each other.
  • Re-attach the new unitYour new unit should twist into the mounting ring. Make sure it is tight and secure.
  • Re-connect drain linesRe-connect the drain lines from the dishwasher and the main line. If you purchased a different sized unit you might need new lines for a different configuration. Once finished, turn back on the water and power.
  • Test the applianceRun your water first to check for leaks. Once there are no leaks, turn on your garbage disposal to make sure it is functioning properly.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Backyard DIY Projects

You don't have to pay through the nose to have the best backyard on the block. If you have a few simple DIY skills and know how to use a tape measure and level, you can easily upgrade and update your backyard all on your own.

5 Home Upgrades For Your Vacation Rental Space

Vacation rentals are experiencing a surge of popularity as websites like VRBO and Airbnb make them more accessible. Guests can find a place that fits their budget, location and accommodation needs. Hosts can easily list their property.

Clever Tips To Make Painting Your Home Easier

Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform a space. But it can also be a hassle, what with all that taping and prepping and cleaning up. These clever tips can make it easier. Fun, even. (That might be a stretch.)

How To Create A Great Accent Wall

Bringing color into your space doesn't require you to splash paint up everywhere. Sometimes, focusing on just one wall can have even greater impact, or at least allow you to slowly get used to the idea of color before you take the four-wall plunge.

Things to Consider When Replacing Your Front Door

Your front door is one of the most functional, visible, and important elements in your home. If you're looking for a home improvement project that can boost curb appeal, improve security, and add style to your space, replacing your front door delivers an impressive return on investment.

7 Reasons Quartz Counters Are The Answer For Your Kitchen

Has the tide finally turned on granite? In the last few years, granite has continued to be a popular choice for kitchen counters, but has lost ground to quartz, which is now the go-to for homebuyers and renovators, not to mention design shows and flippers. If you're getting ready to redo your kitchen or are building a new home, here are all the reasons to swaddle your counters in quartz.

How To Score A Deal On Home Appliances

Who doesn't dream of a kitchen full of shiny, new appliances. Raise your hand if you want a new refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, microwave - and, hey, let's throw in a washer and dryer, too - but don't want to pay top dollar for them. The expense is definitely a bummer when it comes to buying new, but you don't have to go broke to get what you want. Use a few tips and tricks to get a great deal.

Tips For Selecting An Interior Door

Take a minute to count the number of doors in your house. Surprising, right? Consider then, the impact that a little attention to the doors can have on the overall style and design of your home. Whether you're just moving in or staging for a sale, new doors are a simple way to dramatically update the space. The good news is that there are as many styles of doors as there are doors in your home. Making the decision is the toughest part.

How to Let Go of Unwanted Things You've Inherited

Whether you've inherited a large collection of items or a single bulky piece of furniture, it's OK to let it go if you don't need or want it.

Keeping Your Heating and Cooling Systems (HVAC) Running Great

Having your HVAC system checked yearly by a professional is good practice. You can also perform regular maintenance to help keep your heating and cooling system running its best.

See More Articles