Turn off power before you touch anything

The first and most important step is cutting power to the unit. Go to your home's electrical panel and flip the breaker that controls the garbage disposal to the OFF position. If you are not sure which breaker it is, flip the switch on the wall next to the sink — most disposals have a wall switch — and listen for the unit to stop humming. Then go to the panel and flip breakers one at a time until the wall switch no longer turns the disposal on.

Do not rely on the wall switch alone. A wall switch cuts power to the motor, but the unit can still be dangerous if someone flips it while you are working. Flipping the breaker at the panel is the only way to may provide the disposal cannot start.

Key Takeaways

  • Always flip the breaker at your electrical panel to OFF before touching any part of the disposal — the wall switch is not enough.
  • You will need a bucket under the sink to catch water from the drain lines, and a pipe wrench or adjustable wrench to loosen the mounting ring and connections.
  • The disposal is held in place by a mounting ring that screws into the sink drain; turning this ring counterclockwise with a wrench will release the unit.
  • Drain lines and electrical connections come off last, after the disposal is loose and ready to drop out of the sink.

Disconnect the drain lines under the sink

Place a bucket under the sink to catch water that will spill when you loosen the pipes. Look at the disposal unit itself — you will see a large pipe coming out of the side (the discharge line) and possibly a smaller pipe coming in from the dishwasher if you have one. Use an adjustable wrench or pipe wrench to loosen the slip nuts (the large hexagonal fittings) that hold these pipes to the disposal.

Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen, but do not remove the nuts completely yet. Loosen them just enough that water drains into your bucket. Once the water stops dripping, you can unscrew the nuts the rest of the way by hand and pull the pipes free. Set the pipes aside — you may need them again if you install a new disposal, or you can cap them with rubber plugs if you are not replacing the unit.

Unscrew the mounting ring to release the disposal

The disposal hangs from a mounting ring that is screwed into the sink drain opening. This ring has three or four tabs or bolts around it. Using your wrench, turn each bolt counterclockwise to loosen them evenly. Do not remove one bolt completely and then move to the next — loosen all of them a little bit at a time, going around the ring. This keeps the disposal from tilting and getting stuck.

Once all the bolts are loose, the disposal will drop slightly in the sink. You may need to support it with one hand while you finish unscrewing the bolts with the other. Once the mounting ring is completely loose, the disposal will be free to come out of the sink opening.

Disconnect the electrical cord

Before you pull the disposal completely out, look underneath for the electrical connection. Most disposals have a cord that plugs into an outlet under the sink, or they are hardwired directly to the electrical box. If it is a plug, straightforward unplug it. If it is hardwired, you will see wire connectors (usually wire nuts) where the disposal wires connect to the house wires.

If the disposal is hardwired, do not touch the wires yet — even though you flipped the breaker, it is safer to have an electrician disconnect hardwired units. If you must do it yourself, use a screwdriver to loosen the wire nuts and carefully separate the wires. Wrap each wire with electrical tape so the bare ends do not touch anything.

Remove the disposal from the sink

Once the mounting ring is loose and the electrical cord is unplugged (or disconnected), you can pull the disposal down and out from under the sink. It will be heavy — usually between 6 and 12 pounds depending on the model — so support it with both hands as you lower it. Set it on the floor or in a sturdy box so it does not roll or tip.

At this point, the disposal is completely disconnected. If you are replacing it with a new unit, keep the mounting ring and drain lines in place — you will use them for the new disposal. If you are not replacing it, you will need to cap the drain opening in the sink with a rubber plug or install a strainer basket so water does not drain into the empty space.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most dangerous mistake is forgetting to flip the breaker. Even if the wall switch is off, the motor can start if someone flips it while you are working. Always flip the breaker first and leave it off until you are completely done.

Another common error is loosening the mounting ring bolts unevenly. If you remove one bolt completely before loosening the others, the disposal will tilt and may get stuck in the sink opening. Loosen all bolts a little at a time, going around the ring in a circle. A third mistake is not placing a bucket under the drain lines — the water that spills can damage cabinets and flooring if you are not prepared for it.

What to do if the disposal is stuck

If the mounting ring bolts will not turn, try spraying them with penetrating oil (like WD-40) and waiting 15 to 20 minutes. The oil helps loosen corrosion and rust. If the bolts still will not budge, explore more oil and wait longer — sometimes overnight is necessary. Do not force the wrench, as you may strip the bolt or break the wrench.

If the disposal itself is stuck in the sink opening after the mounting ring is loose, try gently rocking it side to side while pulling down. Do not yank hard — you could crack the sink or damage the drain opening. If it still will not come free, you may have a plumbing connection you missed. Check again for any pipes or wires still attached, and make sure all mounting bolts are completely loose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a plumber to disconnect a garbage disposal?

No, you can disconnect it yourself if you are comfortable using a wrench and following the steps in order. The main risk is electrical — if the disposal is hardwired rather than plugged in, a plumber or electrician can do it more safely. If it is plugged in, you can handle it.

What should I do with the disposal after I remove it?

You can take it to a scrap metal recycler, donate it if it still works, or throw it in the trash. Some waste management services will pick up large appliances if you call ahead. Do not pour it down the drain or leave it in the yard.

Can I disconnect the disposal without turning off the breaker?

No. Even if the wall switch is off, the motor can start if someone flips it. Always flip the breaker at the electrical panel and leave it off until you are finished. This is the only way to may provide the disposal cannot start while you are working.

What if water keeps dripping after I loosen the drain lines?

Place your bucket directly under the connection and loosen the nuts more slowly. Water trapped in the pipes above will continue to drip for a minute or two. If it keeps dripping after several minutes, there may be a clog in the line — you can clear it with a plumbing snake or call a plumber.

Do I need to replace the mounting ring if I install a new disposal?

Usually no. The mounting ring stays in the sink and the new disposal screws into it. Check that the ring is not cracked or damaged before you install the new unit. If it is damaged, you will need to remove it and install a new one, which requires disconnecting the sink drain.