I am a single 53 year old who works full time as a preschool teacher and am struggling to make ends meet. I turned on my disposal and it was dead. I looked under the sink and found water leaking out of the bottom of it. The dishwasher works fine, but when it ran that's when the water came. I need to replace the disposal, but the cost of installation is something I just can't afford now. I have to keep a bowl under the sink to catch water. Any suggestions? I have no family here.
I can tell you how to do this and show you a video, but if you don't have the tools it could be difficult. At your school where you teach can't you ask a few of the guys there if they can help you? Don't you have a neighbor that might be willing to help you? Here is how to change out your garbage disposal if youd like to try this on your own. You will need:
Slip joint pliers
Flat head screwdriver
Hammer
Plumbers putty
Garbage disposal
Mounting screws
Step 1
Before starting, turn off the electricity in your home. You will be working with electrical wires and will be shocked.
Step 2
The drain arm and tube must be removed first. You will need to use the pliers to loosen the spring clamp that holds the dishwasher drain tube in place. Afterwards, remove the dishwasher drain tube from the unit.
Step 3
Twist off the disposal unit from the mounting nut.
Step 4
Dump the water out of the unit along with any debris.
Step 5
Turn the unit upside down and remove the plate that covers the electrical connectors.
Step 6
Remove the grounding screws and wire nuts. Now pull the cable out of the unit. In order to do this you might need to loosen the strain relief sleeve.
Step 7
Remove the mounting assembly and drain.
Step 8
Now unscrew the mounting ring and push the drain flange up through the drain hole.
Step 9
Clean the area and scrap off any old plumbers putty from the sink.
Step 10
Place the new rubber seal on the underside of the drain flange. If the new disposal doesn't come with this seal you will use plumbers putty.
Step 11
Now push the drain flange into place in the drain hole.
Step 12
Place another seal on the drain flange on the underside of your sink.
Step 13
Attach the metal backup ring. Be sure to make sure the flat side is up.
Step 14
You will now use 3 screws to loosely attach your mounting ring. Hand screw them in place and don't tighten them yet.
Step 15
Push your mounting ring up into place and secure this with your snap ring.
Step 16
Now use the screwdriver to tighten the screws until your unit is light and even.
Step 17
Since this will be attached to your dishwasher you will need to use a hammer and screwdriver to remove the knock out plug.
Step 18
Now turn the disposal upside down and gently shake the until to remove anything loose inside the disposal.
Step 19
Remove the electric panel and gently pull the electric wires away from the unit.
Step 20
Screw the strain relief sleeve and push the wires through the sleeve and into the disposal.
Step 21
Tighten the sleeve into place.
Step 22
Now connect your electric wires into place using wire nuts. The white goes to white and black goes to black.
Step 23
Connect the ground wire to the green screw on the disposal. When finished replace the cover.
Step 24
Hang your disposal by twisting it into place on your mounting nut.
Step 25
Rotate the disposal until it is properly aligned. Now you can attach the drain arm and the dishwasher drainpipe.
Step 26
Run water through the disposal for a few minutes to make sure you don't have any leaks.
Call your local churches someone might be willing to help you. You might find someone who does that work at the church.
Here is a link to a video if you can do it yourself.
You could also call plumbers in your area see if they will take payments.
This is too big of a job for you but please don't give up so easily. There may still be a way for you to get help.
There is also a site called NextDoor and they help people in their own neighborhood. It is a very nice site so please check it out. Just put your zip code and see if there is a group near you.
