How to Install a Garbage Disposal Unit

Turn the home's main circuit breaker off to make sure no power is going to the garbage disposal switch while you are working on it.

If there is an existing garbage disposal installed in the sink, disconnect the electrical wire from the bottom of the unit. You may have to open an access panel to get to the wire connection. Loosen any wire nuts or screws holding the wire onto the garbage disposal unit and pull out the wire.

Remove the pipes under the sink that connect to the bottom of the garbage disposal. If your home has a dishwasher, its drain hose should also be disconnected. Use a disposer tool or large Allen wrench to turn the disposal's ring counter-clockwise. Once it is loosened, you can pull the disposal unit out from under the sink. Take off the snap ring on the bottom of the strainer. Remove the strainer assembly by loosening the strainer bolts.

Apply putty around the strainer of the new garbage disposal unit and place it into the sink. Have another person press down on the strainer to keep it in place. If you do not have someone to help you, set a heavy object on top of the strainer. Place the snap ring and fiber gasket onto the strainer and tighten the bolts.

Connect the electrical wire on the bottom of the garbage disposal unit and tighten the wire nuts or screws. Install the disposal by hooking it onto the flange and tightening it until it is securely held in place. Check the drain hole to make sure it is aligned properly. Re-install the dishwasher drain hose and the plumbing pipes. Flip the breaker switch back on and test the garbage disposal unit to make sure there are no leaks.