The two most common reasons that people need to remove their garbage disposal permanently are having a septic system or experiencing issues with clogged drains. If you have either of these, it is recommended that you should get rid of your garbage disposal immediately.
A garbage disposal can help to break down any stubborn clogs in the kitchen drains. It sends little morsels of food down the drain, clogging more likely. Scraping off all food waste into the compost or garbage is a better option in this situation to keep your gutters clear.
Garbage disposals and sink filters are simple to replace. Most homeowners can accomplish this task on their own. This blog post will walk you through how to remove garbage disposal from sink. Stay tuned!
Things to Consider Before Removing Garbage Disposal
If you want to remove your garbage disposal but don’t plan on replacing it, you must install a few new objects in its stead. These include a sink strainer or basket filter and a new sink tailpiece. You’ll also need an extended waste pipe that runs from the tailpiece down to the P-trap of your drain – or a tee.
These supplies are readily available at your local home center. They are inexpensive and simple to install. It is not difficult to replace all of the drain elements leading to the branch drain in the wall or floor.
Items Required
- Bucket
- Channel-type pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Rag
- Hacksaw
- Plumber’s putty
- Basket strainer
- Sink tailpiece
- Continuous waste pipe
How to Remove Garbage Disposal From Sink?
1. Disconnect the Garbage Disposal
Before you start:
- Place a bucket or other container beneath the drain trap to catch any water that drains from the pipes.
- Use pliers to loosen the slip nut at each end of the trap bend before unthreading the nuts and removing the trap straight down.
- Reduce the continuous waste pipe and tee that connects to the disposal’s discharge pipe.
2. Disconnect the Dishwasher if Needed
Most dishwashers are connected to the garbage disposal. Squeeze the dishwasher drain hose clamp with pliers and move it off the hose end. If a screwdriver is on the clamp, remove it and slip it off the clamp. Grasp the hose with one hand and gently twist it back and forth as you pull it away from the disposal nipple.
3. Remove the Disposal Unit
Bracing the disposal’s bottom or having a partner assist you with one hand. Insert a screwdriver shaft into one of the ears on the lower mounting ring of the disposer and twist it 1/4 turn counterclockwise to release it from the mounting assembly. The disposal will fall straight down, so be ready to catch it.
Remove the snap ring from the cylinder of the sink flange, which fits down through the sink hole. Remove the lower ring. Pop off the snap ring. Place a towel under the sink and push up on it to loosen the seal with the sink, then lift out the flange from the top side of the sink. To remove muck and old putty, use a rag around the drain.
4. Install the Basket Strainer
Before you slip the new basket strainer into place:
- Put a ring of plumber’s putty around its lip.
- Check to be sure it is centered in the sink hole, then from under the sink, reach up and fit a rubber washer over the flange on top of the filter.
- Slip on the bottom mounting cup, followed by a cap nut.
- Use some pliers to finish screwing on the cap nut until it feels snug.
- Remove the excess putty from the top of the sink, on the top side of the strainer lip.
There are several styles of basket strainers to select from. Follow your filter’s installation instructions.
5. Attach the Drain Tailpiece
You will need to fit the new drain tailpiece onto the bottom of the strainer basket and then secure it with a washer and slip nut. If you have a dishwasher, use a flanged branch tailpiece that has an extra inlet for your dishwasher’s drain hose. Once you have done this, place the drain hose on the tailpiece inlet and ensure it is secured with a clamp. To protect against leaks, put some putty inside the nut where the tailpiece washer meets up with the basket strainer.
6. Install the Continuous Waste Pipe
To size, the continuous waste pipe for cutting put the tube’s elbow onto the tailpiece and mark where it will reach on the tee of the drain assembly. Then hacksaw off any excess length. Secure in place with slip nuts, taking care that it has a slight downward incline from the tailpiece to the tee.
You may have to add an extension to the tailpiece by another sink basin or install a new tee so everything lines up correctly.
7. Reassemble the Trap
Remove the drain stopper, refill each sink basin, and let it drain while you check for leaks in the pipe connections. Tighten any leaking joints with pliers, but be careful not to over-tighten them and damage the nut.
Signs that Indicate Garbage Disposal Needs To be Removed
- Water leaks from garbage disposals.
- Electric damage can result from overheating the garbage disposal.
- Whenever food material gets into the removal, it blocks it.
- A loose wire.
If one or more of these factors are present, garbage disposal needs maintenance or replacement.
Why Removing Garbage Disposal is Important?
Here are some reasons why you should get rid of garbage disposals.
- When food particles are turned into small pieces, the garbage disposal may become clogged with these pieces after a long time. Therefore, you should remove and clean them.
- You need to remove the garbage disposal for maintenance because it has two rotating bars that need to be maintained.
- You can also change garbage disposals from sinks for various other reasons.
The Bottom Line
From the above discussion, we can conclude that removing garbage disposals is not a difficult task. You can do it yourself by following the instructions given in this article. However, if you are not comfortable doing it yourself, you can always call a professional to do it for you. Either way, getting rid of your garbage disposal is important for various reasons and should not be neglected.
FAQs
Is it hard to remove garbage disposal?
You may completely remove garbage disposals. Doing so isn’t as simple as it sounds. It requires at least a basic understanding of both electricity and plumbing to complete it yourself. It is preferable to hire a professional plumber without this knowledge.
How long does it take to remove and install a garbage disposal?
Most people spend 2 to 4 hours replacing old garbage disposal with new ones. An hour is spent on removal, and another 1 to 3 hours go into the installation process.
Additional Contents
