How to Install a Garbage Disposal

Replace Your Own Leaking Disposer

Changing out a leaking garbage disposal for a new one is an easy DIY job you can tackle in no time after watching this video!

What You Need

You’ll also need patience and a rag or towel! Working with your hands over your head, at least for me, requires a lot more patience because it makes you tire faster! Plus working in a tiny cabinet is frustrating, so again, patience! The towel is to protect your back while laying in the cabinet and/or to soak up any water that may drip after removing the old disposal!

Disconnect

The first step as with many projects is to disconnect or remove the old unit. Our disposal was leaking from the bottom, so that means the internal seals were busted and couldn’t be repaired. Or at least the repair wasn’t worth it especially considering it was already 7 years old. So I started by unplugging it from the outlet.

It was also RUSTY! Which made it rather difficult to remove. I ended up hammering the collar at the connection to get it to come loose! (Patience!)

*Watch the video above for more in-depth how-to! The instructions that came with my model were excellent! This video should serve as a supplement to the directions provided from the manufacturer.*

After the unit was disconnected from the sink, I opened up the bottom compartment so I could disconnect the plug wiring.

Prep New Unit

To get the new disposer ready for install, you have to open up the same compartment as the old one to attach your old power cord. Just like installing a fan or light fixture, you twist the wires together and screw on the wire caps. If you have your dishwasher draining into your disposal, you’ll need to knock out the dishwasher drain plug on the new unit as well. I used a screwdriver and hammer for that!

Replace Sink Flange

Replacing the flange around the sink drain is not necessary. But if you want a clean flange or yours is peeling like mine, than it just takes a few extra minutes and some plumber’s putty. Also, they come with the new disposal, so it’s no extra cost!

Insert New Unit

Most garbage disposals come with a quick-connect flange (including the one I used* here!). So if you’re not replacing the sink flange, you literally untwist the old unit, transfer the power cord and you’re able to twist the new unit right back on!👏🏻

Let me know in the comments if you have ever changed out your own garbage disposal! Did it go as planned? How old is your current disposer?

Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea