As most people are aware, a kitchen sink’s undermount garbage disposal must be installed. It is positioned underneath the sink, in between the trap and the sink’s drain. The disposal device has a grinding chamber where it is intended to collect leftover food. The garbage disposal unit is situated beneath the sink because that is where all of the waste is dumped. Although it is obvious that a sink is necessary for the installation of a garbage disposal unit, can any sink have one?
On average, 99% types of sinks can have installed a garbage disposal unit Garbage disposal can be installed in your sink if it has a large 3 to 3 1/2 inch hole or a drain already set up in that hole.
Benefits of Installing a Disposal System
Every modern kitchen should have a disposal in their sink. These benefits of installing one should convince you that you do need one:
A disposals break up food that goes down the drain, preventing clogging and speeding up doing the dishes.
With a disposal, more of your food waste can go down the drain, reducing the amount of trash you produce for the landfill—so it’s environmentally friendlier.
Throwing out less food also means fewer incidents of rodents and other wildlife rummaging through your garbage. Less waste in the trash means fewer worries about kitchen odor from rotting garbage.
Ground-up food waste does less damage to your drain plumbing, resulting in fewer incidents that might require emergency plumbing repairs.
Attaching a disposal unit to your sink speeds up doing the dishes and getting rid of waste.
What you need to know about installing a disposal system in your single bowl kitchen sink is provided here.
How to Install a Garbage Disposal on a Single-Bowl Sink
To complete the installation, you will require the following equipment and supplies:
A disposal unit that you’ve purchased
Wire strippers
Wire nuts
Non-contact electrical tester
Large slip-joint pliers
Plastic putty knife
Plumber’s putty
Screwdriver
Hammer
Utility knife
A cloth or rag
If you have the aforementioned supplies, you can install a disposal system on a single or double bowl sink in two hours. The installation steps include:
Clear out the cupboard beneath your sink so you will have enough room to work.
Switch off the circuit breaker for the disposal unit’s wiring.
Use the non-contact electrical tester to verify that electricity isn’t running through the wires for the disposal under the sink. If the tester lights up after switching off the breaker, turn off every other breaker until the tester shows no power.
Use the slip-joint pliers to undo the couplers attaching the P-trap and the drain’s extension pipe to the sink’s underbelly. Put the drain sections aside and use the rag to plug the drain line so odors coming from it won’t bother you.
Use the pliers to unscrew the nut under the drain coupling. Once it is loose, push the coupling upwards to separate the drain flange from the sink’s bottom.
Use the plastic putty knife to scrape the old plumber putty off the drain hole. Otherwise, you might have trouble fitting it back.
Rub some putty around the garbage disposal unit’s sink flange. Insert the flange into the sink’s bottom hole, then move the backup ring and gasket to the flange’s open sleeve under the sink.
Attach the mounting ring and snap it on. Tighten all the screws until the unit fits firmly against the sink drain.
Wipe away any excess plumber’s putty.
If you have a dishwasher, use the screwdriver and hammer to push out the dishwasher knockout plug located on the disposal unit’s side. Otherwise, leave the plug in place.
Remove the disposal unit’s wiring compartment cover and take six inches of electrical cable from the wall switch. Insert the cable into the wire clamp inside the wiring compartment, then use the screwdriver to tighten the clamp.
Use a utility knife to unsheathe the six inches of cable already inside the wiring compartment. Use the wire strippers to remove about half an inch of insulation from the black and white wires.
Use the wire nuts to attach the white cable wire to the white wire from the disposal unit—and the black cable wire to the unit’s black wire. Wrap the bare wire’s end around the green grounding screw in the unit, and then tighten it with your screwdriver. Tuck all the wires into the wiring compartment and close it.
Place the disposal system on the mounting ring and turn the unit until its outlet faces the drain pipe. Rotate the mounting ring to keep the disposal unit firmly in place.
Place the disposal discharge tube inside the disposal’s outlet before tightening the coupler.
Take the rag out of the drain line before returning the P-trap and extension pipe. Tighten the couplers with the slip-joint pliers.
If you have a dishwasher, connect its drain line to the dishwasher knockout and tighten the coupler.
Turn the circuit breakers back on and open the faucet over your sink. Switch on the disposal unit to see if you did a good job. If there are no unexpected sounds or water leakages, your disposal unit is ready for use.
Please be aware that each disposal model is unique and may call for a slight variation in the fitting procedure. Before mounting the unit, make sure to read the disposal’s manual for the best installation.
How To Plumb A Single Bowl Sink With A Disposal Unit
Prior to learning how to install a disposal unit in a single bowl sink, you must comprehend the equipment and supplies required to finish the task:
Disposal unit (any brand or model)
Wire cutters
Wire nuts
Electrical tester (non-contact)
Large pliers
Putty knife
Putty
Screwdriver
Hammer
Utility knife
Clean cloth or towel
You can begin installing the new disposal unit once you have gathered all the required tools.
Typically, it shouldn’t take more than two hours to install the unit on a single or double sink.
But in order to finish the installation successfully, you’ll need the supplies listed above.
To begin the installation process, just follow these steps:
Before you can start installing the unit, you will need to remove everything from the cabinet beneath the sink, as this will provide enough space to complete the task ahead.
You will also need to turn off the main circuit breaker (see also our guide on how to match wires size with circuit breaker), otherwise, you could risk serious harm to yourself during the wiring process.
Once these obstacles have been dealt with, you can use the electrical tester to confirm that there are no active wires beneath the sink. If the device comes up positive, then you will need to turn off all the breakers in the house until the power has been extinguished.
During this step, you will need to take the large pliers and disconnect the couplers securing the extension pipe under the sink. Once you have done this, set the drain to one side and use the cloth to plug up the drain line. This helps to reduce odors from entering the home.
Next, take the pliers and use them to unscrew the nut beneath the coupling. When it has been loosened, you should be able to move the coupling towards the main flange to separate it from the bottom of the sink.
Take the putty knife and use it to remove the leftover plumber’s putty from the drain. If you do not complete this step, it could become difficult to reattach the drain hole later on.
For the next step, take a small amount of plumber’s putty and rub it around the sink flange on the unit. Once you have done this, take the flange and insert it into the bottom hole of the sink, and then secure the gasket and backup ring.
After this, you will need to connect the mounting ring and secure it in place. This can be accomplished by tightening the screws until it’s flush with the drain.
Before moving on with the next steps, make sure to remove any excess putty from the main area using a clean cloth.
If you are installing a disposal unit and own a dishwasher, you will need to use a screwdriver or hammer to access the dishwasher knockout plug. This plug is commonly located on the side of the disposal unit.
To begin the wiring process, you will need to access the disposal unit’s electrical compartment and remove about 6-inches of cable from the on/off switch on the wall. Insert the cables into the main compartment and then use a screwdriver to secure the clamp.
Take the utility knife and use it to unsheathe the cables inside the main compartment, then use the wire cutters to remove half an inch of insulation from the white and black wires.
Take the wire nuts and use them to connect the white wires and the black wires together. Once you have done this, wrap the remaining wire around the grounding screw and secure it with a screwdriver. Make sure all the wires have been tucked away before closing the compartment.
Insert the discharge tube into the disposal unit’s outlet and then remove the towel from the drain. Following this, return the extension pipe and the trap before securing the couplers.
Connect your dishwasher to the drain line and tighten the coupler before switching the main breaker back on. If there is no immediate leaking or sounds, then the disposal should be ready to use.
Kitchen Remodel – How to Install a Garbage Disposal on a Single Sink
