When your garbage disposal is not working, you feel its absence. Without a garbage disposal, you either have to compost or transfer food scraps from the sink to the trash. Dare we mention that you’ll have to deal with cleaning the food particles out of the drain catcher? It’s a wonderful convenience to be able to simply scrape the plates off and grind the leftovers away.
When your garbage disposal is not grinding or not turning on, you have three options.
- The first is to use your American Home Shield® home warranty membership to submit a service request (by logging into My Account) to diagnose, repair, or replace it. Check out our pricing and plans to see how a home warranty can benefit your household and budget.
- The second option is to learn how to fix the garbage disposal. If it cannot be repaired, you may need to replace the garbage disposal yourself. Don’t panic—garbage disposal installation can be fairly easy. Completing this DIY task should take about an hour or two if you’re handy.
Here is everything you need to know about installing this hardworking appliance you rely on daily.
Choose your new garbage disposal.
On average, you’ll only need to replace your garbage disposal once a decade, so it’s important to choose one that suits your needs. Not all garbage disposals will fit your sink and plumbing setup. When choosing a new disposal, it’s important to think about size, motor power, and suitability for a septic system if you have one.
While you’re at the hardware store finding the best garbage disposal for your home, pick up the following tools:
- Flathead and Phillips-head screwdrivers
- Adjustable wrench
- Plumber’s putty
- Circuit tester
- Twist-on wire connectors
- Electrical tape
Now you’re ready to start your garbage disposal installation.
Put safety first.
The very first thing you should do is ensure your safety. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal. Tape over the switch, so no one accidentally turns it on while you are uninstalling your old unit and installing the new one. Use your circuit tester to ensure no electricity is flowing to the unit.