How to Remove a Non-Working Garbage Disposal

Place a bucket under the sink trap and the garbage disposal. This will minimize the amount of residual water that may come from the pipes when disconnecting.

Disconnect the sink trap from the garbage disposal by unscrewing the retaining nut with a pipe wrench. Disconnect the dishwasher drain hose from the garbage disposal if yours is set up this way. The hose is connected to the garbage disposal using a hose clamp. Simply unscrew the clamp with a screwdriver and remove the hose from the disposal unit.

Disconnect the electrical wiring to the disposal. If your disposal is plugged in, you just need to unplug it from the wall outlet. A hard-wired unit has an access plate on the disposal. Remove the access plate to reveal the wire connectors inside. Using a screwdriver, unscrew the wires from the old garbage disposal that connect it to the house power. Unscrew the cable clamp with a screwdriver and pull the electrical cable away from the garbage disposal. Screw plastic wire connectors on each individual wire until you know how you are going to use them later.

Loosen the screws on the side of the mounting assembly that hold the unit to the sink. Hold the bottom of the old garbage disposal while doing this. When the screws are loose, turn the unit counterclockwise to release it from the mounting. Remove the garbage disposal unit from underneath the sink.

Unsnap the retainer ring underneath the sink using the blade end of a screwdriver. Using a screwdriver or socket wrench, unscrew the mounting bolts that connect the sink flange to the mounting ring. Remove the rings and gaskets from under the sink.

Remove the sink flange from the drain hole. You may have to use a rubber mallet to tap it out from underneath. After it is removed, clean away all of the old plumber's putty from around the sink drain hole.