Install garbage disposal

My old condo came with an un-working disposal. I replaced it with a new one.

The plumber charged $75. I paid. It happened last week.

I'm a 22 yrs old, female, just moved out from my parents' house after I bought this old condo. Just so you know, I'm a newbie to home repair. I bought my very first screwdriver two weeks ago. My dad doesn't feel well most of the time so I don't want to bother him.

Today was the first time I used the disposal. It doesn't work. Doesn't make any grinding sound at all. I got a flash light, looked around it to see if I can spot any loose wire. None, in fact, not a single wire from the disposal to the electrical outlet.

Doesn't it have to plug into the wall's outlet? If it does, where is the wire? If not, how does it get the power from?

I called and left a mesage for the plumber since noon and he hasn't called back yet.

Thanks again for all your help.

Reply to
Goog
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Hi, Plumber only did his part. Electrician will do the hook up. Congrats. being independent. Sounds like definitely the unit is not getting power. Is there a switch for the unit near the sink?

Reply to
Tony Hwang

You might want to use google to find out more about the subject.

Reply to
LouB

Never let a tradesman leave without a full walk thru. Even the honest ones make errors. Also be sure you get any and all manuals.

Lou

Reply to
LouB

Where does a plumber work that cheap? Typically plumbers don't do wiring. On the bottom of the unit is a knockout and junction box, where the wiring gets attached. It's a real pita to do after the unit is installed though. If the unit is the type that you turn on with a drain plug switch, you can just install an outlet in the sink base cabinet, and a cord and plug on the unit, otherwise you'll need to install a switch as well

Reply to
RBM

*Sounds very cheap for an installation. However assuming that he did it correctly and wired it properly there is one simple thing that you can check. Garbage disposals normally have a reset button. Usually they are red in color and are located on the bottom of the unit and are smaller than a dime. Push that reset button and then try operating the disposal.

If there is no wiring like you said then you need to get it wired with a cord that goes into a switch controlled receptacle or hard wired. Some garbage disposals are controlled by the drain cap and some need to have a wall switch.

Is it possible that the reason the old disposal did not work was because it was never wired?

Reply to
John Grabowski

This is only a guess...because of poor communication skills on the plumber's part. The simplest way to wire from below and no switch on the wall...is a plug/cover with a magnet in it that energizes a switch or relay when you insert it in the drain.

bob_v

Reply to
Bob Villa

Like the others have said, yes, it needs a wire, just like the old one had. If there is an outlet in the cabinet, there is probably a switch up above near the sink that controls the outlet. And unlike what everyone else said, it would (around here, at least) be normal for the plumber to install the pigtail cord on the disposal before he hung it. It is a pain to do in place.

Based on your recent questions here, and your current place on life's little learning curve, may I recommend you buy one or more Do It Yourself (DIY) books? Any large home center or bookstore should have several to choose from. I would buy them someplace where they are not shrink-wrapped, so you can leaf through them to see how well they are written. (they shrinkwrap them so people don't use the book aisle as a look-up library, and get them all greasy without buying them.) There is no shame in not knowing how to do something (despite how some on this group act), and the pictures in the books truly are worth thousands of words, in understanding the basic stuff. Most of the books will even have a list of the basic tools you should have to start out with. Depending on your interest, money, and bravery levels, you can buy the more specialized (and expensive) tools as you move on to the more complicated projects.

-- aem sends, trying not to be scary....

Reply to
aemeijers

I read a story some time back about a young lady who bought an apartment in New York. She immediately made friends with a young man who had a tool kit.

When she needed something done, she invited him for dinner. The mental conversations went like this:

She: "He's a miracle worker! I get a towel rack that won't fall down and all I have to do is throw a couple of extra potatoes in the pot!"

He: "She's a miracle worker. In return for the right kind of 50¢ bolts, I get a home-made rack-of-lamb dinner!"

Reply to
HeyBub

What does the instruction/installation manual say?

Home stuff, tools, cars, etc. are a lot like computers...when all else fails, RTFM (read the manual).

Reply to
dadiOH

What is wrong with the word FINE??

Reply to
LouB

Agree with AEM here and want you to know that replacing a garbage disposal was one of my first DIY projects. The major brands give very clear instructions for what's a pretty simple process, and if you've got one in place (I realize you already paid someone to replace yours), you can study the current edition carefully before removing and replacing it. A great way to learn. Since then I think I've replaced 5 or 6 garbage disposals, including one for my parents.

Reply to
KLS

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