Replacing an under sink disposal

[t.r.]

My wife noticed everything was wet under the kitchen sink. I got my flashlight out and noted its leakiing from the disposal.

QUESTION: Is this a fairly easy project or should I phone a plumber? I replaced the water pump on my Ford Explorer using basic tools and it wasn't too hard. Is disposal job easier or harder?

Looks like I'll be using lever action tools.

TR

[awp101]

Pretty easy depending on how much room you have under the sink, how big the unit is and the condition of the plumbing under the sink.

Basically you'll unplug it, unhook the plumbing from the disposal then detach it from the ring in the sink. That can be tricky depending on if it is attached with a clamp, a keyed flange or just screwed up there. Reverse the procedure to install it.

One thing to keep in mind. If your dishwasher drains through the disposal, make sure to knock the plug out of the disposal before hooking the dishwasher drain hose back to it. In a previous life I was an appliance repair tech and some of my favorite calls were dishwasher not draining calls. Almost always, my first question was "Have you recently replaced the disposal?" If the answer was yes, the first thing I did was take that drain hose off and knock the plug out of that port. The look on their face was priceless, especially if they had gone and bought a new dishwasher because the old one quit draining right after they replaced the disposal...

[Chris83716]

Easy; should only be a half a beer job.

Chris

[Mike D.]

Takes about a half hour at the outside. Just ensure that it is lined up straight with the threads when you lock it in place. I put a super quiet compact Eco Insinkerator under our new sink a few months back.

[jeepnik]

While it should be easy, as others have said, hold on the beer till you're done, you just never know.

Seriously, check all the associated plumbing and check the ring for corrosion. If it's rusted solid and the other piping is old galvinized or black iron, you'd be money ahead to just replace everything you can easily reach. And, use ABS it will save you a lot of hassle next time.

[Bridger]

Not ABS, but PVC.

[spaceman spiff]

An easy job. If..............

You are small framed like me

The unders of a sink can be cramped space for sure.


spaceman

[pwl44m]

If it is leaking from age and corrosion I can guarantee it will take some time but it is still relatively simple. And if it is an old system- now is the time to upgrade to PVC and ABS, so much easier to work with.
Perry

[horsesoldier03]

It is an easy job but can sometimes be complicated if you go back with a different model of disposal. Sometimes that makes you change out ALL the plumbing as well.

[Mike D.]

When we had new counter tops installed several months ago I replaced the old double sink with a new single deep cast iron one. The old disposal had become somewhat corroded, so it was tossed in favor of a more powerful and shorter model. As you can see, there isn't a lot of working room under there, but I managed to get it all done myself. At the same time a push button air pressure switch to operate the disposer was also installed. I just pulled the wires from the old wall switch and hooked them directly to the plug. All you do is plug in the air switch and run a little hose up to the button. Of course, some mods to the plumbing were required, but it all took very little time. No leaks, no problem.

[2571]

Use the scissors jack from your car to raise & hold then new appliance while you connect it. Easier than having somebody else help you in that crowded sapace.

[awp101]

OK, I have to tell my favorite disposal story.

One day I had a call to service a disposal under the extended warranty, in a ratty trailer home out in the sticks. I asked what it was doing or not doing and they told me it just wouldn't run. When I got to the sink I could smell something terrible coming from the disposal. I figured it was the food they put down there before figuring out it didn't work anymore.

I looked to see what was in there and it was full to the top with wet cigarette butts.

When they saw the "WTH?" look on my face they said "Well, we was havin' a party and we ran out of ashtrays so we told everyone to use the disposal".

No, the extended warranty didn't cover use as an ashtray...

[Old Ironsights]

Easy so long as you don't put your hand in the top end then turn it on...

[olyinaz]

Use the scissors jack from your car to raise & hold then new appliance while you connect it. Easier than having somebody else help you in that crowded sapace.

Well now THAT'S a friggen great idea. Wish I'd thought of that before!

OK, I have to tell my favorite disposal story.

One day I had a call to service a disposal under the extended warranty, in a ratty trailer home out in the sticks. I asked what it was doing or not doing and they told me it just wouldn't run. When I got to the sink I could smell something terrible coming from the disposal. I figured it was the food they put down there before figuring out it didn't work anymore.

I looked to see what was in there and it was full to the top with wet cigarette butts.

When they saw the "WTH?" look on my face they said "Well, we was havin' a party and we ran out of ashtrays so we told everyone to use the disposal".

No, the extended warranty didn't cover use as an ashtray...

Either A) It wasn't much of a party because there were no empty beer cans/bottles to use, or B) Those folks were not rocket scientist...not even close.

Oly

[Ji in Hawaii]

So easy even a cavemen can do it.

[spaceman spiff]

Easy so long as you don't put your hand in the top end then turn it on...

There's a Mr. Obvious skit from the Bob and Tom show that addresses that very subject...



spaceman

[t.r.]

Thanks guys for all the input.

It took me 25 minutes to get the old one out and about 10 minutes to install the new one. No more leaks!

I probably saved $75. in plumber costs. My wife thinks I'm special!!

TR

[spaceman spiff]

spaceman

[Griff]

... My wife thinks I'm special!!
TR

The best part of any DIY project!

[Old Time Hunter]

Now you can tackle that new microwave with through the roof venting above the kitchen stove project!

And...add that third bathroom

[rjohns94]

If I can do it, you can