How to Replace Garbage Disposer

Turn off the power to the garbage disposal at the breaker box. Remove the wiring cover on the disposal using a screwdriver. Unscrew the wire caps from the electrical wires and pull the wires apart on the disposal. Some disposals may have a cord that plugs into the wall. If so, unplug it.

Loosen the pipe fittings on the disposal using the pipe wrench. Separate the pipes from the disposal. Loosen the retaining ring on the existing disposal by removing the mounting screws using a screwdriver. Lower the disposal from the sink bowl.

Place the new disposal on the mounting ring under the sink bowl. Turn the locking ring using a screwdriver to lock it into place. Wrap the threads on the disposal with plumber's tape. Reconnect the pipe fittings from the disposal to the wall drain and tighten them with a pipe wrench.

Connect the wires to the disposal matching color to color. White is neutral, black is live and the green wire is the ground. In some cases, the live wire may be red and the ground wire bare. Secure the wires with wire nuts. Place the safety cover on the disposal and use a screwdriver to secure it in place. If the disposal is a plug-in type instead of the wired type, then plug it in to the receptacle. Turn the disposal on to test it.