One of the most convenient kitchen appliances that often goes unnoticed is a garbage disposal. While many do not have one, others that do find it necessary. Kitchen appliance installation is at an all-time high demand in today’s market as it adds value to any home, whether you are repairing or installing. A garbage disposal’s simple concept allows homeowners to enjoy the benefits of a plumbing system with a twist. Undecided on installing a garbage disposal yourself or calling a professional? We are here to help.
Do it Yourself
You have the option to install a garbage disposal on your own or have a professional come in and do it for you. If you decide to do it yourself, try to keep in mind that you must have a general plan of how plumbing systems work. Individuals who know how to install kitchen appliances are confident and have a willingness to have a second plan if something does not go as planned. If this is your first time, however, we suggest hiring a professional instead, as it is a multi-step process. In most scenarios, individuals have to install everything starting from the entire sink to the garbage disposal. Other times, it only consists of replacing the old disposal. You must also follow step-by-step instructions according to the manufacturer’s manual as well as making sure you have all the hardware and tools beforehand. A helper is highly recommended as one connects and mounts while the other holds onto the flange. Cutting, connecting to drain lines and electrical box, securing and positioning are all common physical steps you can expect to make to complete a garbage disposal installation. As a reminder, remain cautious of not over tightening fittings, as they can create leaks.
Leave it to the Pros
Kitchen appliance installation is not everyone’s line of expertise. It requires careful inspection, the right tools, a few pointers on using the right disposal/motor equipped unit as well as familiarity with the plumbing system. To make garbage disposal installation easy and to avoid any plumbing mistakes, leave it up to the professionals. This will not only save you time but will also give you the chance to have a kitchen upgrade that only requires low maintenance moving forward. Licensed plumbing experts know how to follow proper coding restrictions, get permits (if applicable), as well as tackle any electrical work they run into along the way.
What’s Actually Involved in a Garbage Disposal Install
The job sounds simple, but it touches three different systems: plumbing, electrical and the sink itself. A typical install runs through these steps:
- Cutting the power at the breaker, since the unit needs a hardwired connection or a switched outlet
- Removing the existing drain assembly under the sink
- Cleaning and prepping the sink flange opening
- Installing the new mounting assembly with plumber’s putty around the flange
- Hanging the disposal unit on the mount and securing the locking ring
- Connecting the discharge tube to the drain line, often with a slip joint
- Wiring the unit at the bottom or running the cord to a switched outlet, depending on the setup
- Sealing all connections, restoring power and water and running it to test
Each step has potential for a leak, a short, or an overtightened fitting that cracks the plastic housing later. The combination of plumbing and electrical work in tight quarters is what makes this a job worth doing carefully or handing to someone who has done it many times.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Service Calls Later
Most disposal failures within the first year aren’t unit defects. They’re install issues. The same mistakes come up over and over:
- The drain line is sloped wrong, leaving food and water to sit in a low spot
- The dishwasher drain knockout was never removed, so the dishwasher backs up into the disposal
- The flange seal wasn’t packed properly with putty, and a slow leak shows up under the cabinet
- The unit was wired without proper grounding
- The mounting ring wasn’t fully locked in place, and the unit drops a few weeks later
- The wrong horsepower was picked for the household, leaving the unit underpowered for typical use
Each of those is fixable, but each one also costs more to repair after the fact than to do correctly the first time.
Sizing the Right Unit for Your Household
Disposal motors are usually rated in horsepower, somewhere between 1/3 hp and 1 hp. The right size depends on how the household actually uses the disposal:
- 1/3 hp units are small, inexpensive and fine for a household of one or two who use the disposal lightly
- 1/2 hp is the most common size for an average family of three or four
- 3/4 hp handles harder food waste and more frequent use without bogging down
- 1 hp is overkill for most homes but useful where cooking is heavy or fibrous waste is common
Larger isn’t always better. A bigger motor on a small drain line can push food waste through faster than the line can clear, leading to clogs further downstream. The right size matches the rest of the system.
When the Existing Plumbing Needs Work First
An older kitchen may need updates before any disposal can be installed. Common situations a plumber will spot during a site visit include:
- The existing drain pipe is too small for a disposal’s discharge
- The trap arm sits too low to allow proper drainage
- The under-sink electrical isn’t on its own circuit, or there’s no outlet at all
- The cabinet floor is rotted from a past leak and needs repair before any new fixture goes in
- The sink flange opening doesn’t match the size of the disposal mount
None of those are dealbreakers, but they need to be handled before the install rather than discovered halfway through.
Septic Systems and Garbage Disposals
Homes on a septic system have to think a little differently about disposals. Anything that goes down a disposal still ends up in the septic tank, where it adds to the solids that have to be pumped out. A household with a disposal usually needs more frequent septic pumping than the same household without one.
Some areas across the Mississippi Gulf Coast have a mix of city sewer and septic systems. If your home is on septic, weigh the convenience of a disposal against the added load on the tank. Lower-horsepower units that grind food finer may be a better match than the heavy-duty ones designed for city sewer.
How Long the Job Takes
A straight swap of an existing disposal with a new one of the same size and brand can be done in about an hour by a plumber who has done it many times. A first install in a sink that has never had one usually takes two to three hours. Add time for any electrical or drain work that needs to happen first.
The job ends with the same test every time: run the disposal with cold water for a minute or two, check every connection for leaks, then put a few hands of bread or ice through the unit to make sure it grinds normally. Once that’s clean, the install is done.
End the cloggy mess today and call a professional to install a garbage disposal for your kitchen sink. ASAP Plumbing is here for all your plumbing needs and repairs. Contact ASAP plumbing today at 228-865-2727 or visit www.plumbinggulfportms.com and request a free estimate! We handle services including installation, repair and full water heater replacement.