How to Take Off a Food Waste Disposer
A food waste disposer, or garbage disposal unit, cuts large pieces of food waste into pieces small enough to pass through the kitchen plumbing. It fits between the drain of the kitchen sink and the plumbing. A homeowner typically removes a food waste disposer when it breaks down.
Things You'll Need:
- Socket wrench set
- Screwdriver
- Unplug the food waste disposer's electrical cord from its electrical outlet to prevent the unit from being started inadvertently.
- Remove all the items from the cabinet under your kitchen sink. This ensures you have easy access to the food waste disposer.
- Remove the retaining screws for the discharge tube with a socket wrench. Detach the discharge tube from the food waste disposer and turn it away from the unit. This will make it easier for you to work. Some units also have a tube that comes from the dishwasher. Disconnect this tube if your food waste disposer is so equipped.
- Hold the food waste disposer with one hand, and turn the lower mounting ring for the unit counterclockwise. Ensure you provide adequate support for the unit when it comes loose, and detach the food waste disposer from the sink.
- Remove the mounting screws for the snap ring on the mounting assembly. Disconnect the snap ring from the mounting assembly with a screwdriver.
- Detach the rest of the mounting assembly from the sink, including the backup ring, fiber gasket and mounting ring.
- Push the sink flange up through the sink drain to remove it from the sink.