Garbage Disposal Installation

While you do need some knowledge of plumbing and electrical in order to install a garbage disposal, it is a pretty simple task when it is laid out as shown below. If you are uncomfortable doing this, definitely contact a handyman you have worked with in the past, or maybe you have a family member will to give you a hand that has installed a garbage disposal before. Ensure that you have a working, dedicated 120V 20 Amp outlet located close to the garbage disposal unit underneath the sink. Without this, you will not have a functioning garbage disposal, so please verify before proceeding with installation.

Disable the to power to the outlet dedicated to your garbage disposal prior to installation by turning off the circuit breaker in your service panel or removing the fuse.

Obviously if you have an existing garbage disposal, this will need removed prior to installing the new one. More info on this process can be found on this page, Garbage Disposal Removal.

Garbage Disposal Sink Flange and Mounting Ring Installation

First we need to work with the flange and mounting ring. The flange sits on top of the sink, while the mounting ring is underneath. This combination is what holds up your garbage disposal.

• In order to make sure we have a leak free installation, seal the sink with plumbers putty available at your local hardware store, roughly a half inch thick.
• Firmly press the new sink flange into the opening.
• This is where it is helpful to have an extra set of hands, have someone hold the sink flange in place while you are under the sink working on sliding the gasket and triangular attachment onto the sink flange. It can be done by a single person, but no need to struggle if you have access to another set of hands.
• There is a spring clip or snap ring which fastens the sink flange to the mounting ring, clip that into the recess in the sink flange.
• The mounting ring has a set of three screws, tighten evenly each one a bit at a time until there is even pressure from all screws on the sink bottom.
• You should see some excess plumbers putty on your sink bottom from the applied pressure via the mounting rings tightening; you can wipe this off with a cloth.

Power Installation

Prior to attaching the garbage disposal to the mounting ring, we need to attach the power cord.

• There is a small electrical plate  on the bottom of your garbage disposal, remove the plate with a screwdriver and attach wires to the corresponding color with wire nuts (White to white, black to black, green to green)
• Tuck the wires back into the compartment and refasten the cover plate

Dishwasher Connection (Optional)

 I know in my case, and many others I am sure, the dishwasher is ran through the garbage disposal, so we need to tackle this. If you do not run your dishware drain line through your garbage disposal or do not even have a dishwasher, this step can be omitted.

• Locate the small drain tube located near the top of your garbage disposal.
• Use a screwdriver and a hammer to get rid of the knockout plate covering this pipe.
• Take the knockout plate out of the food disposal unit..

Garbage Disposal Mounting

Now we get to the “heavy lifting” where we mount the garbage disposal to the mounting ring.

• Line up the garbage disposal with the 3 mounting rings screws
• Hold the food disposal in place as you rotate the lower mounting ring until the 3 ears are fastened to the assembly.

Attach Drain Lines

Now that we have our disposer nicely fastened, we need to attach our drain lines.

• Before we get started, not that all connections here should be very tight, so take your time. No sense in rushing through this phase only to find out you did not properly fasten a gasket and have a leak on your hands.
• Attach the discharge pipe to the unit via the gasket and screws provided.
• Turn your garbage disposal until it comes in line with your sink’s drain trap.
• It is possible you need to extend some connections, all of these materials can be found at your local hardware store, but hopefully you are all set with your existing configuration though.

Lock Disposal in Place

After your have made sure you fastened your garbage disposal properly and all plumbing connections are tight, it is time to lock the disposal in place.

• Rotate the cam collar at the top of the garbage disposal unit using a screwdriver or a supplied wrench provided in the packaging to lock the disposal in place.

Testing 1,2,3…

Now we make sure our work is finished by looking for leaks and testing the unit does in fact work like a garbage disposal.

• Start running some water and get under the sink to look for leaks.
• Hopefully you heeded my advice and took your time on your connections and have no leaks! If you do, turn off the water, tighten the connections and give it another go.
• No leaks, turn the power to the unit back on in your circuit breaker box
• Run some water and test that your garbage disposal works.
• You should be all set, grab a beer and admire your handyman skills after your first successful garbage disposal installation!