How to Change a Garbage Disposal: The Complete Guide
Dealing with a broken garbage disposal is no fun. It’s a complicated system that can break down for various reasons, such as overuse or mechanical problems. When this happens, you might be tempted to rush to the nearest professional repair service and throw away a lot of money. However, changing a garbage disposal can be a simple and affordable process. This article provides a step-by-step guide, cost-effective comparisons, material checklists, repair vs. replacement considerations, and quick fixes to help you get your garbage disposal back up and running in no time.
Step-by-Step Guide
The process of changing a garbage disposal can seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before. However, if you break it down into a series of manageable steps, it’s a lot easier than you might think. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s involved:
- Turn off the power and disconnect the wires.
- Remove the old garbage disposal.
- Install the new garbage disposal.
- Connect the wires and attach the disposal unit to the mounting assembly.
- Test the new disposal unit.
For more detailed information on each step and to see images that illustrate the process, check out our full step-by-step guide “How to Change a Garbage Disposal.”
Comparison-Based
If you’ve decided to replace your broken garbage disposal unit with a new model, there are several options to consider. In this section, we compare the most popular garbage disposals on the market, outlining their pros and cons and providing insights into how to change out an old unit for a new one.
Among the most popular options are InSinkErator, Waste King, and Moen. Each brand has its unique features, ranging from power to affordability, and easy maintenance options.
To learn about the differences between the most popular garbage disposals on the market, how they compare feature-wise, and how to change out an old unit for a new one, be sure and check out “The Best Garbage Disposal Units: Comparison and Installation”.
Tools and Materials-Based
Before you can change out your garbage disposal, you need to make sure you have everything you need for the job. Here’s a list of the tools and materials required:
- Adjustable wrench or plumbers’ putty
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Wire connectors
- New garbage disposal unit
For a more comprehensive list of everything you need to change a garbage disposal, check out our full Tools and Materials-Based Guide “What You Need to Change a Garbage Disposal”. Moreover, this guide also includes additional sources and tips for finding the best value for money.
Repair vs. Replace-Based
Before changing out your garbage disposal, you might first want to consider repairing it. Some issues are easy to fix and don’t require calling in a repair service or a full-blown replacement.
In this section, we outline the most common issues that may arise with a garbage disposal unit and how to troubleshoot them. This section also includes details on the costs and considerations between repairing and replacing a broken garbage disposal unit. For more information on these important considerations, check out “Garbage Disposal Repair vs. Replacement: A Cost Comparison”.
Quick Fixes to Try First
If you’re not quite ready to tackle the job of changing out your garbage disposal or suspect the problem might be an easy DIY solution, consider trying the quick fixes outlined in this section.
These basic steps are easy to try and require no special tools or equipment. For small issues such as clogs or jams, simple steps such as manually turning the unit or using basic tools like pliers can help you avoid spending money on repairs or new installation altogether. Check out “10 Quick Garbage Disposal Fixes Before Calling a Plumber” for more information.
Conclusion
Changing a garbage disposal can be a hassle and an unnecessary expense if you don’t know what you’re doing. However, by following the advice in this article, you can change your unit and restore functionality quickly and inexpensively. Whether you’re repairing or replacing, understanding the costs and considerations involved can help you make the best decision for your situation.
