Installing a Garbage Disposer
There are two reasons why someone would need to know how to install a garbage disposer. The first is that they currently don’t have one. The other reason is that the one they have needs to be replaced. Whichever one of these reasons you happen to be motivated by, I have a very good piece of advice for you. Now listen carefully because it will save you time and money. Ready? Here it is: Let go of the idea that you need a garbage disposer because you don’t need one. Try this instead: Use an actual garbage can to discard your solid pieces of food. It’s easy. Simply place a real garbage can near the sink and before you wash off your plate with water, scrape off the contents into the garbage. Now pause and ask yourself: How hard was that? How much time did it take to put a garbage can near the sink? How much money is a garbage can compared to a garbage disposer? See, I told you I could save you time and money. However, if you really have a burning desire to install a garbage disposer then I will tell you and hopefully by the end of this process you will have acquired the wisdom that a garbage can truly is the most cost effective method to dispose of wasted food and garbage.
If you are still reading this then I must say I admire your persistence. It seems you are not easily discouraged from wanting to learn how to install a garbage disposer. Before we begin there are a few mandatory preliminary lines of protocol that I’m sure you’ve already done but just to be safe let’s go over them. Have you checked your local community codes to see if you can even have a disposer? Sounds ridiculous but some local laws restrict them due to sewer capacity. Also check the code to see if you need to leave an air gap for a dishwasher. Have you made sure that you have a power source under your sink? If not, install that first. Finally, check to see that you have the appropriate disposer for your household capacity. For one or two people you should only need horsepower, for three or more people you’ll need one with at least 1 horsepower.
You should be ready to go now, and from here on out all you need to successfully do this is confidence. This installation is not difficult, but it will require you to follow each of these steps that I’m about to lay out before you.
#1- Wiring the Disposer
This may be the simplest step. All you have to do is match up the white wire with the white wire, the black wire with the black wire and the green wire with the disposer’s ground screw. If your disposer doesn’t have these colors of wires then go back and buy a disposer from a reputable store not some guy off the internet.
#2- Drain Flange
This step will make you feel like a true handy man because it’s simple, and a lot of progress gets done in a short amount of time. Press a rope of plumbers putty onto the underside of the drain flange. Then you must insert the flange into the drain hole and press down evenly. After that you then crawl beneath the sink and install the backup ring, fiber gasket and mounting ring. They all should fit together nicely.
#3- Mounting Ring
Now you need to tighten the mounting ring (the last piece of metal you just installed) so it does not fall off unexpectedly and throw carrot shavings all over your lovely kitchen. The only trick to tightening the mounting ring is to alternate the tightening of the screws to pull the ring up evenly against the sink.
#4- Mounting the Disposer
This step may or may not be a little awkward depending on how much room you have to work with under your sink. You need to lift the disposer and place it into the mounting ring. Make sure that the outlet of the disposer is facing the drainpipe connection or else you will have problems later on down the road. Set the disposer into place by turning the lower ring clockwise until the disposer is supported by the mounting assembly.
#5- Connecting the Outlet to the P-Trap
This step is kind of like putting a puzzle together. You need to measure and cut the discharge pipe to length. You can use a hacksaw or a tubing cutter to do this. Then install the discharge pipe to the outlet of the disposer. Attach it to the drain line with slip nuts and you should have your puzzle all put together.
#6- Locking in the Disposer
This is the final step so take your time and cherish it, for it will all be over soon. All you do now is tighten the mounting lug. To do this you insert a screwdriver or disposer wrench into the mounting lug on the lower mounting ring. Turn clockwise until the disposer is locked into place. Tighten all the slip nuts snug using water-pump pliers. Now is the moment of truth. Run water into the sink. Turn on the disposer and check for leaks. Tighten fittings if necessary.
Well you did it. Congratulations! I hope you feel a sense of accomplishment because if you don’t then you will sit up all night wondering why you did not just take my first piece of advice and just use a garbage can. However, if you correctly installed your disposer and you feel good about it then I made the right decision after all.