How Long Does It Take a Plumber to Install a Garbage Disposal?
Assuming your plumbing or electrical systems were intended to accommodate disposal, most installations can be performed without assistance from professionals. However, it may still be beneficial, as complications could arise during installation that would need professional handling.
Normally, it takes two to three hours to install a new garbage disposal unit. Before we dive into how long does it take to install a garbage disposal, we’ll have to explain how it is installed in the first place and what factors can affect the overall installation time. Read On!
Understanding Garbage Disposal Installation
Garbage disposals are powered by motors which spin impellers within their grinding chamber, breaking food waste down into fine particles. Many models are grounded for added safety to avoid any unexpected trip of electrical circuits in homes. Installing a new disposal requires installing both an electrical outlet and switch for activation.
Electrical Connections
As part of its package, your new disposal may come equipped with its own plug-in power cord. To attach it properly, first remove the disposal’s cover plate and locate its circular hole at its base where it should go; attaching its cable connector or clamp from its cord assembly and tightening it using pliers should do.
Drain Flange
Garbage disposals require a drain flange to connect their unit to the sink’s drainage pipes, creating an impenetrable seal around its opening. You can purchase one at any hardware store; usually these flanges are compatible with most garbage disposal models.
Discharge Pipe
As soon as your disposal is turned on, water flows through a P-shaped pipe into your drain trap before feeding directly into its motor for grinding up food into drain-safe slurry that goes down your drain. But, should something go amiss with your disposal system, it could leave your kitchen smelling and looking bad and lead to costly repairs for an unsafe unit that’s beyond repair.
Mounting
Garbage disposals utilize an electric motor to transform food waste into smaller pieces that are easily flushed through plumbing systems and into municipal sewage or septic tanks for disposal. While installation of new garbage disposals may appear straightforward, proper installation requires basic plumbing and electrical wiring skills – but with these skills in hand it should only take you a few hours!
Factors Affecting the Time For Garbage Disposal Installation
The time required for garbage disposal installation can be influenced by several factors. These include the complexity of the existing plumbing system, the type and size of the disposal unit, local building codes, and the experience of the installer. Efficient installation relies on assessing the following factors accurately to ensure a smooth process.
Do You Need New Electrical Wiring?
If your old disposal is no longer performing as it once did, replacing it may be easier than trying to repair it; depending on its brand and model, installing a new unit may not require any plumbing or electrical work at all but if it does, it will take more installation time.
- A new garbage disposal may or may not have a power cord; professional installation services should be sought to connect it.
- The first step should be shutting off the breaker before unscrewing the metal cover on the bottom to reveal electrical connections and installing a new garbage disposal.
- Next up should be connecting white and black wires as well as grounding green screws.
As with most plumbing projects, when your disposal unit is in place, it may ooze the plumber’s putty into the drain opening; be mindful not to overtighten or lose any. A bucket or stool could provide extra support while tightening bolts.
Size & Type of Garbage Disposal Unit
Garbage disposals come in various sizes with differing motor powers to best suit the needs and configuration of any household’s kitchen sink setup and usage. Selecting an ideal disposal will depend on several factors, such as available space under the sink and cost considerations. The larger units occupy more space under the sink and take more time to install, increasing the garbage disposal installation cost.
The type of disposal is important. Continuous-feed garbage disposals grind food waste continuously as long as the switch is on, making them less expensive than batch-feed models. However, they lack covers to prevent nonfood items from falling into them while running.
Maintaining your garbage disposal from common problems is key to its longevity and optimal performance. Avoid feeding fibrous and starchy foods into it, and run plenty of cold water during use to flush food debris through the drain pipe. Regularly checking blades for obstructions will reduce odors while keeping everything running smoothly.
Condition & Location of the Sink
If your garbage disposal makes strange noises while it runs or takes longer than usual to drain, something is wrong with its operation. These problems can take a while to fix and could indicate that your garbage disposal installed is in the wrong location, foreign objects are stuck between its blades, or there are mechanical issues with its motor, and you’ll have to change the location.
Unusual sounds could indicate a serious electrical problem with the disposal. In such a situation, it would be advisable to contact a qualified technician to examine the problem and discover its source. Garbage disposals can become clogged with food waste or stop working altogether, creating serious plumbing issues if ignored.
To prevent this, be mindful about what goes into the garbage disposal; avoid adding hard seeds or bones that shouldn’t be ground up (like hard seeds). If this issue arises again or any other problems develop with your unit, contact a home warranty company immediately to see if garbage disposal replacement is covered under coverage.
Presence of Existing Leaks or Repairs Needed
Leaks from your garbage disposal can be a serious source of water damage to your kitchen and an ideal breeding ground for mold growth. That’s why it’s important to fix the leaks before installing a new disposal. In some instances, electrical problems could be to blame; therefore, professional assistance should be sought in diagnosing and rectifying them. If there are any leaks, it could increase the overall garbage disposal installation time.
Why Addressing Leaks is Important?
First, the plumber will detect the leak and its depth. Leaks may also indicate worn-out internal seals. In such instances, it’s often more cost-efficient to replace the entire garbage disposal rather than attempt repair efforts.
To identify the source of leakage in a sink drain and flange surrounding the disposal, begin by drying both with a towel. Fill your sink with several inches of water and observe where liquid accumulates under it. If leakage comes from around its flange, it could be due to loose plumber’s putty or bolts over time.
Leakage from the bottom of garbage disposal usually indicates worn-out internal seals that must be repaired or replaced; for this reason, it’s wise to consult a professional about installing a new disposal.
Removal of Existing Disposal Unit
Sometimes, it may be necessary to uninstall an existing garbage disposal in order to install a new one, particularly when it has cracks or has been leaking for an extended period of installation time. Removing it also might help with electrical wiring issues like a faulty circuit breaker; whether or not necessary, doing so adds garbage disposal installation costs.
Hire a professional plumber when installing your garbage disposal to ensure it is done safely and correctly, plus follow-up services to ensure it continues functioning as intended.
While installing a garbage disposal yourself may be possible, it is often best left to professionals. Working with electricity and water in close proximity is potentially dangerous if you don’t know much about plumbing; hiring an expert plumber often provides more safety and speed in installation and offers warranties should anything go wrong with it later on.
Conclusion
Installing a garbage disposal can be a manageable DIY project if you have the necessary skills and tools, but it often requires a professional touch for optimal results. This approach not only guarantees a successful installation but also provides peace of mind and protection against potential future problems.
Best Garbage Disposal Cleaning by Tommie’s Plumbing
At Tommie’s Plumbing, we understand the importance of cleaning the garbage disposal system. With our expertise and dedication to quality service, we offer various services, including water heater installation, tankless water heaters, sewer and drain cleaning, assistance with high water bills, and fixing high water pressure issues. Contact Tommie’s Plumbing today for reliable solutions tailored to your needs.
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Tommie’s Plumbing has been providing the residents of Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Morristown, TN with fast, reliable, affordable plumbing services.
Tommie’s Plumbing has been providing the residents of Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Morristown, TN with fast, reliable, affordable plumbing services.
Tommie’s Plumbing has been providing the residents of Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Morristown, TN with fast, reliable, affordable plumbing services.
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