Does your garbage disposal unit spits waste at you? Well, this does not necessarily mean that you have to replace the entire unit—you can just install a new splash guard in about a few minutes. This part can definitely cause problems with the whole machine when it is torn or missing components. Also, a worn-out splash guard will not prevent food and water from coming back up when your garbage disposal is on. So, if this is your case, you can take a trip to your nearest hardware store and purchase a new one. Luckily for you, the splash guard rubber gaskets are mostly similar to any model of your specific brand of disposer.
Required Tools for this Project
You do not need any special tools when replacing your garbage disposal splash guard, and it might be the easiest DIY task that you can do for your home, though it might seem exhausting as you have remove all the stuff that is under your sink first. For this task, you will only need one particular tool, which is a flathead screwdriver. Also, you would need a stack of books. Of course, you should forget the required materials for this project, which are the new splash guard and wood shims. Avoid last-minute trips to the store by having all these things ready ahead of time, and you will be able to save time and avoid frustration.
Steps to Replacing the Splash Guard
Step 1: Disconnect The Disposer.
Jam the screwdriver into the unit’s locking ring and rotate it away from you. As for the books, the disposer will drop onto them, where you still need to support the unit with one hand to avoid tipping over. Before you begin, make sure the garbage disposal is shut off, as you would not want it to start while you are holding it even though you are not touching any electrical wire or its inside. If your garbage disposal unit is hardwired, you can begin by flipping off its circuit breaker, and if it plugs in, then unplug it. Then, you must remove the waste pipe connection, which is connected with a solid pipe and a gasket that is covered by a flange, which screws in on one side and is held on the other side by a tab. you can remove the screw holding the flange and pull the pipe to free it from the unit.
For you not needing to remove the dishwasher and the electrical wire in order to drop the disposer, it is best to have enough slack in the waste line that connects the two. Afterwards, you should make sure to check the unit if there is not anything that has fallen down inside it. Or, take it as an opportunity to get rid of debris that got into it over time.
Step 2: Replace The Splash Guard.
Take note that your garbage disposal unit is connected to the sink with a metal nut, which has dog ear flaps that your screwdriver will fit into. You can jam your screwdriver into these flaps and turn the nut counter-clockwise, threading on by a fourth of a turn. After you manage to drop the disposer down, you can now remove the old and worn-out rubber gasket to be replaced with the new one. When replacing the splash guard, grab its lower edge and then peel it up and off. Then, slip the new gasket on and push it down until it is properly set. The new splash guard would fit snuggly over the lip on the top of the unit.
Step 3: Reconnect The Disposer.
After you have installed the new splash guard, shove several wood shims between the bottom of the disposer and the books until the locking ring touches the sink flange. Then, rotate the ring to lock it in place. Re-install the drain line and make sure you perform a leak test before grinding away.
Remember that putting the garbage disposal back in place would require you to reverse the steps of removing it. This means that you have to hold the unit in place, thread on the metal nut with the dog ear flaps with your hand, use your screwdriver to make the nut snug and leak proof, insert the waste pipe back in place, and screw the flange in properly and tight. When you see that your leaks test is fine, you can now fire up your garbage disposal unit. However, it is best to check for leaks once more after you turn it on. The splash guard should last awhile now and should keep water and food out of your face.
Take note that the most difficult part of reinstalling the splash guard would be hoisting the disposal unit up and into place with only one of your hands, while trying to engage the locking ring with the other. But with proper techniques, you can properly work around this task.
Additional Tips
Take note that important installation and safety information is provided in your garbage disposals manual, which you can download from the manufacturer’s official website if it did not come with the package. Before you attempt to install its splash guard or any other component, it is best to first read and understand the instructions. By doing so, you will be happy to know that this home improvement project is not that difficult to perform. But if these simple tips on replacing your unit’s splash guard do not work for you because there are unexpected complications, do not hesitate to call on the experts to get the job done for you. This will ensure that you avoid worsening the problem that might lead to additional costs.
We hope that this article has helped you understand how to replace the splash guard and how it works. By following it and observing the dos and don’ts of the process, nothing can go wrong and your disposer will be up and running properly again in no time.