I finally got the phone call. In fact, it was early. A spot opened up so we could get our new countertops installed this week. I was excited but had a feeling of trepidation. We now had to get things ready for the installation. While Efiwym, my wife, cleaned out the cabinets, I was assigned plumbing duty. I needed to disconnect the sink so the installer could remove the old countertops. I know I had a bad experience last time removing the garbage disposal, so I was not anxious to tackle this project.
When I replaced the sink about 20 years ago, I had a big problem with the garbage disposal and the waste pipes in general. The sink I installed was a cast iron sink we found at H.O.B.O, (Home Owners Bargain Outlet), which no longer exists. It was a great deal. Of course, Efiwym would not pass it up. However, this sink had a large basin, and a very small, shallow basin. The drain locations on this sink definitely did not match the old one, so I needed to install different piping to get it to work. That was a minor problem.
When I needed to install the garbage disposal, I could not get the disposal to latch. I remember struggling, sweating and swearing, but I eventually got it on. So, this garbage disposal has been in place for over 20 years, and I had no idea if it would even come off.
The day before the installation and after supper, I would tackle the sink. Efiwym already had most of the cabinets cleared out. I had a plan. First, I would remove all the waste lines, then remove the garbage disposal, next would be the faucet, and finally the air gap and soap dispenser.
Except for cleaning up all the black junk in the pipes, the waste pipes were pretty easy. I was wondering why there was duct tape on the clean out plug. Why would I use duct tape for plumbing? Did I have a leak? Even as a just-okay DIYer I would not use duct tape for a plumbing job. I removed the duct tape, and I discovered a hole in the middle of the clean out plug. Okay, that was why I used duct tape. After a closer inspection, it looked like I cut off the square nub. That nub prevented me from lining up the disposal in its new location. So, I cut it off. Maybe, it was a temporary fix, and I was going to replace it, but I forgot. Well, it lasted 20 years.
The garbage disposal was next. I checked under the sink the night before to check out how it was installed. It looked simple. Just a twist collar to hold it in place and another twist collar for the drain flange. Because I thought the disposal was heavy, I put a 4 x 4 under it to support it. I gave it a couple of hits with a piece of wood and hammer, and the collar came loose. The disposal dropped down. I removed the 4 x 4 and surprisingly, it was very light. I removed the drain flange.
I got the new flange that would match the color of the new sink and compared it with the old one. I slipped on the disposal collar on the new flange. The collar was too small and would not work. So, do I return the new flange and go with a non-matching one. No way! I would just buy a compatible disposal instead. I would give Efiwym the bad news and search the Internet for a new disposal.
On with the project. I removed the faucet. The tool the manufacturer provided to install the faucet made easy work of the removal. No tools necessary to disconnect the hoses. Everything was hand tightened. With the air gap, I could remove the nut from the top of the sink. Done! With the soap dispenser, I was able to turn the escutcheon from the top to loosen the nut below, and I finished it from underneath. I put everything I was going to reuse in a box and the sink was officially disconnected.
I helped Efiwym with the cleaning out the cabinets and I moved the stove away from the cabinet that the installers requested.
I found an InSinkErator® disposal on sale at the place with the friendly hardware folks, so I would pick it up tomorrow. I also would get a new clean out plug and some plumber’s putty. I had two containers of plumber’s putty, and both were dried out. Never fails. Now I will wait until tomorrow after the new countertops are installed to re-install the sink’s plumbing.
