How to Remove a Garbage Disposal 1/3 HP FWD

Garbage disposals, sometimes referred to as food disposers, operate to grind food into small pieces, enabling the material to be transferred through the sink's drain. Over time, the electric motor within the garbage disposal can lose its effectiveness. The sharpness of the disposal's blades can also become dull. A dull blade significantly reducing the disposal's ability to properly grind food, thereby increasing the changes that the drain pipe will become clogged. Whether replacing a sink or installing a new garbage disposal, the first step in the process it to remove the existing garbage disposal.

Things You'll Need

• Flathead screwdriver
• Bucket
• Adjustable wrench

Instructions

1. Unplug the disposal's power cord at the electrical outlet located underneath the sink.

2. Remove the dishwasher's rubber drain hose from the side of the disposal which attaches to the disposal with a single hose clamp. Turn the screw on the clamp in a counterclockwise direction with a flathead screwdriver to loosen the tension on the clamp. Then pull the hose away from the disposal.

3. Place a bucket or some other container underneath the plastic drain pipe that connects to the disposal to capture any water located in the disposal's drain pipe once the pipe is removed.

4. Loosen the slip nut that connects the plastic drain pipe to the disposal with an adjustable wrench, then pull the drain pipe away.

5. Twist the disposal in a counterclockwise direction until the disposal disengages itself from the bottom of the sink to complete the removal process.