Can I Replace a Garbage Disposal Myself?
If you're handy around the house, replacing a garbage disposal is a project you might be able to tackle yourself. But it's not as simple as unscrewing the old one and snapping in a new one. Here's an honest look at what's involved so you can decide whether DIY makes sense or if you'd rather have it handled for you.
What the Job Actually Involves
Replacing a garbage disposal requires working with both plumbing and electrical connections, often in the cramped space under a kitchen sink. Here's the general process:
First, you disconnect the power. If the disposal is plugged into an outlet under the sink, this is straightforward. If it's hardwired, you need to turn off the breaker and disconnect the wiring.
Next, you disconnect the drain lines. This includes the discharge pipe and, if applicable, the dishwasher drain hose. You'll need pliers and possibly a wrench. Have a bucket and towels ready because water will come out.
Then you remove the old unit. Most disposals mount to a flange assembly at the drain opening. You twist the unit to unlock it from the mounting ring and lower it down. The unit is heavy, usually 10 to 20 pounds, and you're working in an awkward position under the sink. Having a second person helps.
If the new disposal is the same brand and model, the existing mounting assembly might work. If it's a different brand, you may need to remove the old mounting hardware and install new hardware, which involves removing the sink flange, applying plumber's putty, and reassembling the mounting ring from under the sink.
After mounting the new unit, you reconnect the drain lines, connect the dishwasher drain if applicable (and knock out the plug inside the disposal's dishwasher inlet), reconnect the electrical, and test for leaks.
Where DIY Can Go Wrong
The most common mistakes we see from DIY installations are leaks from the sink flange caused by uneven putty application or an improperly seated mounting ring, leaks from the discharge pipe caused by loose connections, the dishwasher knockout plug not being removed (which causes the dishwasher to back up), and electrical issues from improper wiring.
Any of these can cause water damage under the sink, and electrical mistakes can be a safety hazard. If you're not comfortable working with wiring, that alone is a reason to call a professional.
When DIY Makes Sense
If you have experience with basic plumbing, you're comfortable working with electrical connections, you have the right tools, and you're replacing with the same brand (so the mounting hardware is compatible), a DIY replacement is doable. Plan for it to take about an hour, possibly longer if you run into complications.
When to Call a Professional
If any of the following apply, it's worth having a professional handle it: you're not comfortable with electrical work, the new disposal is a different brand than the old one and you'd need to swap out the mounting hardware, your sink or plumbing has a non-standard configuration, or you just don't want to spend your weekend under the kitchen sink.
Denver Disposal specializes exclusively in garbage disposal replacement throughout the Denver metro area. Our pricing is on our site, there are no diagnostic fees, and we handle the entire job from start to finish including removal, installation, testing, and cleanup. Book an appointment online and we'll take care of the rest.