How do I install or replace a garbage disposal?

Video Transcript:

Instructions for installing and replacing a garbage disposal

To install your new InSinkErator garbage disposal you will need the following tools and materials.

• Plumber’s putty
• Wire nuts
• Electrical tape
• Adjustable pliers
• Slotted screwdriver

Depending on your sink configuration, you may also need these additional tools materials and accessories.

• Philips screwdriver
• Drain auger
• ⅜” electrical clamp connector
• Second 1 ½” drain trap
• Hammer & Hacksaw
• Drain tube extension
• Water hose clamp
• Pipe wrench
• Copper ground wire
• Dishwasher drain connector kit
• Air gap
• Electrical on/off switch or InSinkErator SinkTop switch
• InsinkErator power cord kit

Replacing a garbage disposal

To replace your garbage disposal, you will need to first turn off electrical power at the fuse box or circuit breaker. Remove the existing disposal and mounting hardware. then you can install the mounting bracket that will hold up your disposal. Next make the electrical and dishwasher connections. Finally you can mount the disposal and hook it up to the drain plumbing.

Turn off electrical and begin disconnecting

Turn off the electrical power at the fuse box or circuit breaker. Using adjustable pliers disconnect the drain trap from the disposal waste discharge tube. Support the disposal with one hand and insert the end of the wrenchette or screwdriver into the right side of one mounting lug on the lower mounting ring. Lift the disposal slightly and loosen the lower mounting ring by pushing or pulling wrenches or screwdriver to the left until the disposal is free from mounting assembly. Lay the disposal on its side and remove the electrical cover plate. Loose the green ground screw and remove the wire connectors. Disconnect disposal wires from the electrical supply wires. Loosen screws on the electrical clamp connector and remove wires from the disposal. To remove the existing mounting hardware, loosen the three mounting screws. Pry the snap ring off with a screwdriver and remove the old mounting assembly, then push the old sink flange up through the sinkhole.

Prepare the sink for the new garbage disposal

Use a screwdriver or putty knife to carefully scrape all old putty from the edge of the sinkhole. Place a half inch rope of plumber’s putty around the drain opening in the sink. Drop the new sink flange into the drain opening and press it into place. Placing a weight such as your disposal on top of the sink flange will help hold the sink flange in place while mounting the sink flange to the sink. To avoid scratching your sink or the flange, place a towel between the sink surface and the weight from under the sink. Slide the fiber gasket and backup ring onto the sleeve. Hold these pieces in place. Next, slip on the mounting ring and snap ring. Tighten the three mounting screws alternately tightening each screw a few turns at a time until the mounting assembly is evenly and tightly seated against the bottom of the sink. If using a dishwasher, you will need to tap out the dishwasher knockout plug from inside the disposal. Lay the disposal on its side and use a screwdriver and hammer to tap it out. Next, remove the loose knockout plug from inside of the disposal.

Connect the electrical on a new garbage disposal

Lay the disposal on its side under the sink so you can make the electrical connections. Make sure the circuit breaker is off. Remove the plate on the bottom of the disposal to expose the wiring and use wire connectors to connect the wires from the disposal to the matching wires from the power supply. Finally secure the power cord to the bottom of the disposal using the proper connection. Replace the plate, to cover the wires.

How to mount a garbage disposal

All evolution models install similarly, though there are a few additional steps with the cover control, more on that in a moment. First, for all models other than cover control, hang the disposal by aligning the three mounting tabs with the slide up ramps on the mounting ring. Hold the disposal in place, turn the lower mounting ring until all three tabs are locked into the mounting assembly. The disposal will now hang by itself. Insert the discharge tube into the discharge coupler, then slide the clamp over the discharge tube and position it in the groove over the rubber tailpipe coupler. Rotate the disposal so that the discharge tube is aligned with the drain trap. If the discharge tube is too long, cut off as much of the tube as necessary. If it is too short you can purchase an extension. If you are connecting the disposal to a dishwasher it may be connected through an air gap. Use a hose clamp to attach the drain hose to the dishwasher inlet. Now that everything is installed and in position, lock the disposal to the sink mounting assembly using the special wrench that came with the unit. Insert the quiet collar sound baffle into the sink opening by pressing it into the sink until it snaps into place. For the cover control model, the sink baffle was put in place at the factory. If it has been removed, it would be much easier to insert it now before mounting the unit. Hang the disposal by aligning the three mounting tabs with the slide up ramps onto the mounting ring. Holding the disposal in place, turn the lower mounting ring until all three tabs are locked into the mounting assembly. The disposal will now hang by itself. Insert the discharge tube into the discharge coupler, then slide the clamp over the discharge tube and position it in the groove on the rubber tailpipe coupler. Rotate the disposal so that the discharge tube is aligned with the drain trap. If the discharge tube is too long cut off as much of the tube as necessary. If it is too short you can purchase an extension. If you are connecting the disposal to a dishwasher it may be connected to an air gap. Use a hose clamp to attach the drain hose to the dishwasher inlet. Now that everything is installed and in position, lock the disposal to the sink mounting assembly using the special wrench that came with the unit. Next, lock the cover control switch housing into place. It snaps into place on two of the three bolts on the mounting assembly.

Test for leaks and tryout your new garbage disposal

For all models, you should test for leaks at the sink flange dishwasher tailpipe and mounting assembly connections. Finally turn on the electrical breaker to test its operation.