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re: How difficult is it to replace a hardwired garbage disposal DIY?
Posted on 10/18/24 at 3:54 pm to lsugrad35
Posted on 10/18/24 at 3:54 pm to lsugrad35
quote:
Why is that thing not plugged into an outlet on a switch. I wouldn't go back like this that's for sure. Wiring a switch and outlet is pretty easy. Then plug the disposal in.
Because its less wiring? Hard wiring is EXTREMELY common with appliances, its a better overall connection.
Why would you wire to an outlet and then plug into an outlet when you can just have a wire to wire connection inside of a junction box?
Sure its easier to just unplug, but either way the OP is going to have to un hook his wires to his old dishwasher and wire the new one so its the same amount of work?
OP, as said make sure to pop the plug to the dishwasher.
Also, it can be tricky screwing the dishwasher to the sink depending on the space you have.
FInally, if you haven't messed with kitchen plumbing before those pipes can be super easy to super pain in the arse to get right. Its usually straightforward, but its very possible you will have to adjust them to connect to the new dishwasher because the old dishwasher was a different height or size or what not.
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Posted on 10/18/24 at 4:29 pm to papasmurf1269
I'm in the just turn the switch off camp, but I always tape the switch in the off position using a piece of Scotch tape so I don't do anything stupid
Posted on 10/18/24 at 6:25 pm to Ingeniero
Are you just wanting to upgrade, or is the old one inoperable? If it's just stuck when you flip the switch it may be as simple as loosening the jam by using an allen wrench in the hole on the bottom. There is also usually a re-set button on the bottom too.
Posted on 10/18/24 at 7:00 pm to luvdoc
quote:
I'm in the just turn the switch off camp, but I always tape the switch in the off position using a piece of Scotch tape so I don't do anything stupid
I get it, it’s easier and quicker but we are talking an extra minute to go flip the breaker (maybe?). Otherwise you are trusting the person who wired it before you, yourself, and whoever is else is in the house not to flip something on. I’ll take that peace of mind for a little extra time every time.
Posted on 10/18/24 at 8:42 pm to iwantacooler
quote:
If it's just stuck when you flip the switch it may be as simple as loosening the jam by using an allen wrench in the hole on the bottom. There is also usually a re-set button on the bottom too.
Nah my wife called while I was at work and said "hey so the garbage disposal just started smoking when I turned it on."
Posted on 10/18/24 at 9:32 pm to Dallaswho
quote:
Don’t forgot to remove blocker for dish washer if you have one
This. I’ve replaced multiple disposals, it’s super simple, just get after it. But for the love of god, make sure you knock out the plastic stopper for the DW before you hang that disposal on the sink.
Posted on 10/18/24 at 10:22 pm to Ingeniero
The best information I give folks, like kind replacement. Always replace with the same unit, make, model and horsepower. That makes the plumbing easier. Most you buy a pigtail, use it. As for yours, the wires a color coded. Just turn off the breaker. Use your meter to check the breaker is off.
This post was edited on 10/19/24 at 3:23 pm
Posted on 10/19/24 at 8:51 am to Tigerpaw123
quote:I've replaced 3 or 4 disposals in my lifetime and none were particularly challenging.
Whole job is a 3/10 on the DIY difficulty scale
Posted on 10/19/24 at 3:53 pm to Ingeniero
I have to ask, do people really use these that much? Mine broke because I never used it and I am not sure who is putting that much food down the drain to necessitate needing one.
Posted on 10/19/24 at 4:31 pm to jmarto1
We don't use ours often but it's nice to have. We don't put bones or anything down it but for small food scraps it's helpful
Posted on 10/19/24 at 4:57 pm to Ingeniero
Restaurant habits have me scraping everything so there wasn't a point to install a new one. I'll probably have to do it if I sell the house for someone's wife to be happy
Posted on 10/19/24 at 7:44 pm to jmarto1
We use ours every day, when we got our camp it did not have one and I added it with an air switch , love it, guess it is just the way you are used to, we always had them, great to wash the last of the food down and grind it up,
Posted on 10/21/24 at 3:07 pm to Tree_Fall
quote:
Seeing your nice Klien meter tells me that you know what you are doing. But, the junction box makes me wonder what's going on. The 6 wire nuts make me think that two appliances are hardwired... unusual. You might want to have an electrician sort it out before installing a more useful socket.
Pretty common to have a garbage disposal and dishwasher on the same circuit. The disposal is switched and the dishwasher is fed straight through. This would require 4 joints....a unswitched hot to the DW and a hot leg to the switch, a switch leg return to the disposal and neutrals and bonds. Feeding anything else off that circuit could be problematic but it wouldn't be uncommon, especially in the past, to feed another switch and a light above the sink. The tap in the picture looks suspect but there could be 2 circuits feeding about anything.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 3:12 pm to Turnblad85
quote:
hopefully this is the case.
The plumbing stands be 10x more difficult than then the wiring part.
Twisting the old disposal off lying on your back at a bad angle in a tight spot with the stank of whatever the frick goes on under a kitchen (or any sink for that) sink is infinitely harder than the electrical work. The first one I did I did not know they twisted off. I fought that bastard for a couple of hours, kicked the dog, one of 2 kids and almost my wife until I saw "that look" and thought to ask someone about how the damned thing comes off.....
Posted on 10/21/24 at 3:15 pm to Pintail
quote:
Kill the breaker before you mess with anything. Don’t just turn off the switch
Been doing electrical work since I was 9. 50 years. I wasn't much help at 9 but Daddy tolerated it. I have worked on shite hot, when I was a young man it was a badge of honor, not to mention stupidity. I turn off the main now EVEYTIME. That shite hurts. It can do more than that. Turning off the main is simple and effective and if anyone thinks its unmannly I don't care a bit....flip the main, it takes a second and the damned thing needs to be exercised anyhow....
Posted on 10/21/24 at 3:25 pm to lsugrad35
Some disposers dont have a switch. Mine has a plunger that you have to insert into the drain to make it come on. I think it has a magnet in it that makes it engage.
That way things dont get dropped in there with it running.
I dont really like it but that was what my wife wanted.
That way things dont get dropped in there with it running.
I dont really like it but that was what my wife wanted.
Posted on 10/25/24 at 9:29 am to Ingeniero
Can we get an update from the OP? 
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