How to Install a Garbage Disposal

Newly installed garbage disposal under sink

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 - 3 hrs
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $150 to $250

A typical garbage disposal unit lasts about 12 years, so if it's a feature you have in your kitchen, there is every likelihood that you'll need to replace it at some point. Or, you may want to install one for the very first time when remodeling an old kitchen

If you are installing one for the first time, be aware that there are some wiring and plumbing skills necessary—work you may want to have a professional do if you're not fully confident of your skills. For example, most current building codes require a dedicated 20-amp 120-volt outlet under the sink near the disposal. The outlet will need to be controlled by a switch that is accessible to a user standing at the sink. There is a good chance that this circuit is already in your kitchen, but if it's not, you'll need to have it put in before you can install the disposal. 

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Channel-type pliers
  • Screwdrivers
  • Hammer
  • Rag

Materials

  • New garbage disposal
  • Plumber's putty
  • Plug-in power cord and strain relief fitting
  • Wire nuts
  • Drain pipe extension pieces (if necessary)

Instructions

Materials and tools to install a garbage disposal

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  1. Remove the Old Disposal

    The power must be disconnected from the old disposal before you remove it. This may be as simple as unplugging it from its electrical outlet, but if the disposal is "hardwired" directly into circuit wiring, as is the case in some older installations, you'll need to first shut off the circuit at the main service panel.

    Remove the garbage disposal by disconnecting drain connections attached to the disposal, then disconnecting the disposal from the flange assembly. 

    Remove the disposal flange assembly from the sink drain. Although it is sometimes possible to use the same flange assembly if you are replacing the old unit with a new one from the same manufacturer, it is usually best to replace these parts to ensure a good drain seal.

    Drain connections removed from garbage disposal

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Install the Drain Fitting and Mounting Ring

    To install the garbage disposal, you first need to install the assembly that will hold it in place beneath the sink. This is a special form of drain fitting that consists of a sink flange and mounting ring that sandwiches around the top and bottom of the sink drain opening. 

    Seal the sink opening by placing a 1/2-inch-thick bead of plumber's putty around the drain opening from inside the sink. Insert the new disposal sink flange into the sink opening and press it firmly into the plumber's putty.

    Have someone hold the sink flange in place from the top as you work from under the sink. Take the fibrous gasket and triangular attachment ring and slide them onto the tailpiece of the sink flange.

    Secure the ring by snapping the round clip spring or snap ring into the groove on the flange tailpiece.

    Drain fitting and mounting ring installed beneath sink

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Tighten the Mounting Ring Assembly

    Tighten down the mounting assembly with the three mounting screws, tightening each a little bit at a time to gradually apply even pressure. Tighten the screws until the sink flange is tight against the bottom of the sink and excess plumber's putty has oozed out around the drain opening. Take care not to overtighten; it's possible to squeeze out all the plumber's putty that must be present to complete the seal. 

    Wipe away the excess plumber's putty around the drain opening inside the sink, using a rag.

    Mounting ring tightened with screwdriver on bottom of sink

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Connect the Disposal's Power Cord

    Before mounting the garbage disposal, you'll need to attach its plug-in power cord. Remove the electrical cover plate found on the bottom of the disposal unit. Install a strain relief fitting in the hole that the power cord will go through, and tighten the fitting nut with pliers.

    Feed the loose-wire end of the power cord through the strain relief, and tighten the strain relief clamp onto the cord with a screwdriver. Using wire nuts, connect the white lead from the disposal to the power cord's white (neutral) wire, the black lead to the black (hot) cord wire, and the green ground lead to the cord's green ground wire.​ Tuck the connected wires into the disposal's electrical box and reinstall the cover plate.

    Garbage disposal power cord wired connected together

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Prepare for a Dishwasher Connection (optional)

    In some installations, the dishwasher drain water is run through the garbage disposal. If that is your situation, locate the dishwasher inlet nipple near the top of the disposal chamber. Insert a screwdriver into the nipple, and tap the screwdriver with a hammer (like a chisel) to knock out the plug inside the nipple. The plug is a plastic disc that will fall into the disposal's grinding chamber. Reach inside through the top of the disposal unit and pull out the disc.

    Screwdriver tapped into dishwasher inlet nipple

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Mount the Garbage Disposal

    The disposal can get a little heavy while doing this step so be careful you don't strain yourself.

    Align the disposal by lining up the top collar on the disposal with the three mounting ears on the sink mounting assembly. While holding the disposal in place, rotate the top collar so that the three mounting ears engage into the mounting collar on the bottom of the drain fitting. 

    Tip

    Rotate the collar just enough to hold the disposal in place, but don't tighten it all the way. You may need to make adjustments to the unit's position before you secure it fully.

    Garbage disposal collar mounted to bottom of drain fitting

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  7. Connect the Drain Lines

    Fasten the rubber discharge tube to the disposal unit with its gasket and screws. Position the disposal by turning it so that the discharge tube aligns with the sink drain waste trap. You may need to add extension pieces or shorten the pipes to make the proper connections.

    Once the drain connection is made, connect the dishwasher line, as applicable. Slide the dishwater hose onto the disposal nipple, and secure it with the clamp provided by the manufacturer. 

    Discharge tube screwed into garbage disposal

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  8. Lock the Garbage Disposal Unit in Place

    Firmly lock the disposal to the sink mounting assembly by tightening the rotating cam collar on the disposal, using either a screwdriver for leverage ​or a special wrench that may have come with the garbage disposal for this purpose. You likely will feel a distinct click as the disposal locks into place.

    Rotating cam collar tightened to lock disposal in place

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  9. Check for Leaks and Proper Operation

    Turn on the water and run it through the disposal to check all connections for leaks. If there are leaks, tighten any loose drain connections. Plug in the disposal to the wall outlet and make sure the circuit power is turned on. 

    Test the operation of the garbage disposal by turning on the water and disposal and dropping some food scraps into the drain.  

    Tip

    Every few days or weeks, slice a lemon and toss it into your garbage disposal, then turn on the disposal so it can grind up the lemon. This should keep the disposal from developing any odors.

    Water running down sink to check fro leaks with disposal

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris