Disassembling a household garbage disposal can be quite expensive if you decide to call a plumber. You can do this yourself to save money, as it is also quite a simple process. Using a few tools and following a few steps, you are able to remove a garbage disposal with minimal expense.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Disassemble the Garbage Disposal
Step 1. Shut off the power supply to the garbage disposal
To do this, close the circuit breaker or that of the main electrical panel. Flip down the switch on the panel that allows electricity to reach the device.
Make sure the power supply has been interrupted by trying to run the garbage disposal before proceeding with the job
Step 2. Remove the plug from the wall socket
Disconnect the appliance from the power supply; if it is wired directly to the electrical system, you must disconnect the cables.
- If the garbage disposal is connected to the electrical system of the house, you must use a screwdriver to detach the plate covering the device's wiring. Disconnect the exposed wires and then remove the plaque covering the junction box on the wall. Unscrew the caps that secure the cables of the garbage disposal to those of the electrical system and put the device wiring aside. Screw the caps onto the exposed wires inside the junction box and refit the plate.
- Use a voltmeter to make sure there is no voltage before putting the wires back into the junction box.
Step 3. Loosen the clamp securing the dishwasher hose to the notched nipple and detach the hose
Remove the hose that connects the dishwasher to the garbage disposal. Not all models are attached to this appliance, so follow this step only if necessary.
Step 4. Place a bucket under the drain hose
There may be residual liquid in the pipes that you need to disassemble; by placing a bucket under them, you can collect any waste.
Step 5. Use an adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, or parrot pliers to unscrew the siphon connectors
The latter is a U-shaped tube connected to the waste disposal unit and which allows the dirty water to flow out of the device.
Step 6. Let the water in the siphon fall into the bucket
Drain any traces of residual liquid inside the container.
Step 7. Remove the garbage disposal
Some models simply unscrew from the sink, while others may be equipped with a retaining ring. To remove it, insert a flat screwdriver under the ring itself to pry and open the flange.
- Remember to hold the base of the garbage disposal with one hand as you take it apart and don't overlook the fact that it is a very heavy device!
- It is worth protecting the bottom of the kitchen cabinet with rags; in this way the surface is not damaged if the garbage disposal falls.
Step 8. Remove the assembly structure
Proceed by loosening the three retaining screws that separate the top and bottom rings. Pull out the ring located in the groove of the sink sheath and then detach it along with the flange and fiber gasket.
- Clean up any remaining gaskets, plumbing putty residue, or debris that is on the sink opening.
- If you are replacing the garbage disposal with an identical model, you can avoid removing the mounting frame.
Part 2 of 4: Refit the Sink Drain and Install New Hoses
Step 1. Use this method if you have taken apart the garbage disposal and do not want to replace it with a new one
This way you install a new siphon and connect the hose to the drain system, allowing the water to flow perfectly from the sink to the sewer system.
Step 2. Remove the nut securing the drain flange and remove the sink drain
Use a pipe wrench to loosen it and unscrew it completely; afterwards, you can push the drain up to take it out of the sink.
Step 3. Remove the plumbing putty residue around the hole using a metal putty knife
Scrape off the silicone and, if it's very stubborn, you can use a razor blade. After you get rid of the pieces of putty, use an abrasive sponge and water to clean the surface.
If the material offers a lot of resistance, try to intervene with denatured alcohol or white spirit
Step 4. Flatten some 3mm wide plumbing putty and place it around the drain
The material should be long enough to cover the circumference of the drain. Place it around the bottom edge of the drain and insert the drain into the sink hole. Apply firm pressure and eliminate the excess Teflon that escapes.
Step 5. Secure the flat gasket to the underside of the drain
This element is sold together with a gasket that you have to place on the bottom, above the thread, and secure with the large nut supplied. Tighten the nut as much as you can using parrot pliers.
- It may be useful to have a person present to support the discharge from above, so that it does not move.
- Eliminate excess plumbing putty after installing the drain.
Step 6. Take the final PVC element for the drain
This piece connects the drain to the elbow pipe. It should be long enough that you can place it at the same level as the pipe to which it is to be connected. Tighten it manually to the sink drain to hold it in place.
Step 7. Connect the elbow hose to the end point of the drain
Join the two to create a bend in the duct that flows into the adjacent sink.
Step 8. Secure the joint to the elbow pipe and sink
Use this element to join the elbow piece with the "T" joint found on the nearby sink. The joint should be cut to the appropriate length, based on the sink model. Use the nuts and gaskets that are included in the tubing package, to firmly join the various elements, and tighten them with parrot pliers.
Part 3 of 4: Replace the Garbage Disposal with a New Model
Step 1. Follow these instructions if you have removed the garbage disposal and want to replace it with a new model
If you have decided to install a device of the same brand as the previous one, you can take advantage of the same mounting brackets present on the sink and avoid removing them.
Step 2. Put the rubber gasket on the underside of the exhaust flange
This is usually sold together with the new garbage disposal; you can simply wrap the gasket around the flange and then insert the flange into the drain hole.
You will need to use Teflon or plumbing putty if the appliance does not have a gasket
Step 3. Place another rubber gasket over the flange, on the underside of the sink, and lock the metal retaining ring
Use an additional gasket included in the package and place it on the underside of the sink. Connect the metal fixing ring, taking care to face the flat part upwards, and push it onto the lower flange of the drain.
Step 4. Secure the mounting ring
First, connect it loosely using the three screws; then lock it with the snap ring which should snap into place. Finally, tighten the three screws making sure the whole element is firm and level.
The support brackets are now mounted and ready to hold the new garbage disposal in place
Step 5. Prepare the new appliance
Turn it over and shake it to get out whatever is left inside. Screw the strain relief sheath into its housing and insert the electrical cables to the garbage disposal.
To connect the appliance to the dishwasher, you need to remove the locking cap using a hammer and a screwdriver
Step 6. Connect the harnesses
For almost all models of garbage disposal it is necessary to connect the grounding cable to the green screw of the appliance; then, you have to join the white threads with the white ones and the black ones with the blacks. Secure each union with plugs and tighten the strain relief sheath; finally, mount the protective plate on the garbage disposal again.
Step 7. Lift the device onto the mounting bracket and lock it into place
As you lift it, you must push it into the bracket and then rotate the retaining ring until all three hooks are in their respective slots. Try to tighten the ring as tight as possible, using variable fulcrum pliers to finish the job. You should hear a clicking sound as the latches snap into place.
Step 8. Connect the pipes
You need to attach the 90 ° elbow drain hose to the garbage disposal and the end piece to the other sink drain. There should be a siphon both on the appliance and on the drain terminal; both elements should be on the same level. Use straight pipes and "T" joints to connect the two drains to a single pipe and direct them to the main drain.
- At the beginning it couples the various elements dry.
- Join the pipes by applying PVC glue, both on the inside of the joint and on the outside of the pipe. The glue melts the material slightly creating a strong weld.
Step 9. Connect the dishwasher to the drain
To connect the dishwasher drain to the garbage disposal, you need to insert the hose into the housing where the block plug was located.
Step 10. Open the faucet and let the water run down the drain
Wait several minutes to make sure there are no leaks. This way you can prevent future problems, so don't neglect this test.
Step 11. Turn on the power
Turn up the switch on the electrical panel to allow electricity to reach the garbage disposal. If everything works fine, the installation is complete.
Part 4 of 4: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Troubleshoot any problems if the garbage disposal has stopped working
Inspect it to see if it needs to be replaced. If the device does not emit a soft hum, the malfunction may be electrical only and can be inspected.
If you hear a noise, but the device is not working, it may be stuck or a switch reset may be required
Step 2. Make sure the garbage disposal is connected to the mains
Although it may seem obvious, check that the appliance is correctly connected to the system.
Step 3. Press the reset button located at the base of the garbage disposal
In this way you "reset" the appliance; the button snaps out when finished and makes a "click" when back in.
Step 4. Check the switch that manages the electrical outlet
Make sure that it has not tripped and that it has not interrupted the power supply on the general panel or on the circuit breaker. All switches on the fuse box should be active.
Step 5. Replace the circuit breaker switch
If you haven't done anything with the other solutions, the problem may be a malfunctioning switch or garbage disposal. Replace the switch to see if it is responsible for the problems, but remember first to turn off the power supply from the main panel. Afterwards, change the element and restore the electrical energy.
If none of these instructions proved helpful, you need to replace the garbage disposal
Advice
- If you decide to install a new garbage disposal, carefully check the electrical socket under the sink; if it is damaged or corroded, you should call an electrician and have it replaced for safety reasons.
- If you opt to install a new waste appliance, make sure it has the same electrical wiring and plumbing joints as the old one. If not, get a professional plumber to do the job, as this is a very complex process.
- If you plan to replace the garbage disposal with a new model, the material can cost around 100 euros if you decide to do the job yourself. If you hire a plumber, the cost could go up to around 300 euros.
