Is it difficult to install a garbage disposal?

[gar598]

Any suggestions? If I decide to get someone to put it in, how much do you think I should pay?

 

[imported_Tick]

It's not hard, unless something goes wrong....

 

[OdiN]

It might eat your hand...

 

[leftyman]

i have one...its called a 17 year old boy

 

[EagleKeeper]

Most sinks have a bracket so you can mount it;
You need to rework the piping; run power to the unitvia a switch; mount the switch (under the sink or on the wall. If on the wall; then hopefully; you already have an electic run to the area; you will need to get the wiring from the switch down to the disposal.


Mounting is the easy part;
Plumbing takes some thought.
Electrical is simple if power isreadily available and you mount the switch underneath near the unit.

 

[GasX]

It is infinitely easier to install if one was there before.

FYI - do everything in your power to install it yourself. Plumbers charge 10x the value of their services for small jobs because they don't want to be bothered unless it is a big job.

 

[dandruff]

are u putting in a new one in or replacing an existing ... and u r talking about the one that goes in the sink right??

i just replaced an existing one and it was 10 minutes ... badger 5 by insinkerator

for a new one: the hardest thing wud be to make sure you put the mounting brackets / putty right and connecting it to the drain ... the electrical part is easy .. just switch off everything ... insinkerator has instructions on their website ... hth!

 

[gar598]

Yeah, I'm replacing an old one which has a hole in it. Can I seal the hole with something?

The GD seems somewhat old, I'm mainly concerned about the electrical work.

 

[Linflas]

If you are replacing an existing one then it is simple unless you have a non-standard original. The electrical is a non-issue as long as you turn off the breaker before you start.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: gar598
I'm mainly concerned about the electrical work.

It amounts to unscrewing 2 splicing caps and screwing them back on with the new disposals wires.

 

[gar598]

The only thing which concerns me is that there doesn't seem to be an electrical outlet. There's simply a cord running from the bottom of the of the GD into a cracked wall.

It doesn't look like this example: http://www.hometips.com/articles/disposal.html

 

[NutBucket]

Just make sure the switch is off. The breaker bit is only for liability purposes (or in case someone tries to use it while you're under the sink)

 

[KoolAidKid]

Just watch the Seinfeld episode when Kramer installs one in his shower. Everything you need to know is covered there.

 

[woowoo]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Just make sure the switch is off. The breaker bit is only for liability purposes (or in case someone tries to use it while you're under the sink)

Real bad advise kiddies......

(Ever heard of a "Hot Chassis"?)

 

[spidey07]

as far as which one to get, it is like all power tools.

"There is no such thing as too much power"

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: woowoo

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Just make sure the switch is off. The breaker bit is only for liability purposes (or in case someone tries to use it while you're under the sink)

Real bad advise kiddies......

(Ever heard of a "Hot Chassis"?)

Meh, haven't killed myself yet Besides, how many consumer devices are hot chassis? I know some of the KV power supplies we have here at the office are hot chassis.

 

[squirrel dog]

You pay the going rate,which depending on area,shouldn't exceed $150.Most plumbers will give you a rate over the phone.If the sink has never had one,you may want to get a plumber to do it . They aren't that difficult,just require multiple trips to the hardware store to match up the pipes. If the sink has had one,you can do it yourself.

 

[gar598]

The sink currently has one, I'm just replacing one with a small hole in it.

The power is directly connected to the switch connection. It looks something like this http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/kitchen/disposer/new/kfwdn26a.jpg

I have this fear of getting electrocuted. As long as I turn off the power, I should be safe, right?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: gar598
The sink currently has one, I'm just replacing one with a small hole in it.

The power is directly connected to the switch connection. It looks something like this http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/kitchen/disposer/new/kfwdn26a.jpg

I have this fear of getting electrocuted. As long as I turn off the power, I should be safe, right?

Just kill the circuit breaker and you will be fine.

 

[Mo0o]

I did it with a friend in about an hour. And I had to install the mounting bracket as well as do some small wiring. Still, not that difficult

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: gar598
The only thing which concerns me is that there doesn't seem to be an electrical outlet. There's simply a cord running from the bottom of the of the GD into a cracked wall.

It doesn't look like this example: http://www.hometips.com/articles/disposal.html

Most people don't have outlets under their sinks for very good reasons (leaky pipe + outlet = bad)

You don't need an exact plug to hook something electrical up. If the new disposal has a connector that does not match the old, just cut the connectors off the wires and splice them.

Usually the negative/ground wire is black or dark blue, has a black stripe, or is faintly labeled as negative/ground/ " - "

If you are unsure how to do a simple wire splice you should either ask someone at home depot (who will probably suggest some nearly conical caps that you twist the wires into) or perhaps you should call up a buddy that does know.

IMHO, electrical is the EASY part. Making sure the pipes/connections are leak-proof is harder, but still not that rough if you follow directions.

 

[gar598]

Okay. I went out and bought one from home depot. The directions call for plumbers putty to be replaced at the sink. Is this really necessary? I hate to drive 20 miles back to the store.

 

[Kelemvor]

Replacing them is so simple if you get the same kind. You literally unscrew the mounting bracket, take out the old one, put the new on e on, and screw the mounting plate thing bac on.

You just have to reconnect the pipe that goes out the side of it and the power but that's really easy.

The putty and stuf fis only if you are installing it from scratch. Since you already have one it's sooo simple.

 

[gar598]

it's not the exact same kind - but they do look almost identical. - maybe I'll give it a try - I don't have a plumbers wrench either.

 

[Spydermag68]

Originally posted by: gar598
Okay. I went out and bought one from home depot. The directions call for plumbers putty to be replaced at the sink. Is this really necessary? I hate to drive 20 miles back to the store.

Yes the plumbers butty is necessary. There is a bracket that holds the garbage disposal in place and you put the putty between the top part of the bracket and the sink. It stops the sink from leaking at this spot.