How to Replace or Fix Your Kitchen Garbage Disposal

If your garbage disposal has quit working here are a few tips on how to fix it or replace the garbage disposal.It can save you allot of money not calling in a plumber to do the work.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
    
   Garbage disposal reset button and hex key

   If the disposal has quit turning and all you hear is a humming sound it could be jammed up.Turn off the disposal and push in the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal.Turn on the garbage disposal and if it is still not turning turn it off.
   Take the hex key and put it into the slot on the bottom of the disposal and turn it this should free the disposal if it is hung up with a pop corn seed or something like that.If your sink is full of dirty water when you turn on the disposal and will not drain then it is likely that the garbage disposal is bad

2. 
    
   New garbage disposal with parts for install

   Tools you will need to replace the garbage disposal: Pliers,hammer,screw driver,plumbers putty.Make sure the power is OFF which can be turned off at your circuit box try and turn on the disposal and if nothing happens your electric is off.
   Place a bucket under the disposal and disconnect all the water pipes with a pair of pliers making sure not to squeeze the connectors to hard this could crack the plastic.Drain the water in the sink and pipes into the bucket. Remove the plate covering the electric and disconnect the electric wires remembering how they were connected.
   They should be colored coated.Remove the 3 screws at the mounting assembly attached to the bottom of the sink.I would recommend that you have someone hold the disposal since it is heavy.Twist the disposal from the mounting bracket and it will disengage and can be removed.Make sure to clean or replace all the rubber seals before reinstalling the new garbage disposal.

3. 
    
   Garbage disposal showing the flange and mounting bracket

   Remove the old flange and clean all the areas where the new disposal will be installed.If you are replacing the entire flange make sure to seal it with plumber's putter.
   Now install the new flange if you are replacing the old one in the sink pressing it down on the new gasket from the top of the sink and attached the bottom half under the sink.Install your new disposal in the same way you removed the old one by twisting it into the flange or mounting ring.Now tighten the 3 screws and replace the water pipes making sure they line up the same way as when you removed them. Make sure to use new rubber gaskets or clean the water pipe couplers before you attach them.
   Now reinstall the wiring they should be color coated,red to red ,black to black etc. and replace the cover to the electric. Turn on the electric at the circuit box. Fill the sink with water and turn on the disposal,check for leaks if none you should be good to go.

Tips & Warnings

• Once a month or so empty a ice cube tray into the sink and turn on the disposal and let it grind up the ice this will keep the blades clean.
• Do not try and ground up potatoe peals, pop corn etc.they can ruin a garbage disposal and clog up your pipes.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide

[Elizabethknows]

on 5/30/2009 sounds easy enough, I rent so I do not have to fix my garbage disposal but this is nice to know if I needed too. 5*

[firstwriter]

on 5/30/2009 Good instructions. Fixing things yourself is so much cheaper then calling someone else to do it. :) 5*

[PhiMcRee]

on 5/30/2009 Very detailed and the images are great! Good article.