The countertops were installed, so I could reconnect the plumbing for the new kitchen sink. However, the installer asked me to wait 24 hours before reconnecting the sink. Great, no sink for another day.
Nonetheless, I could still install the faucet, air gap and soap dispenser. At least we would have running water. I retrieved the box I put all the plumbing parts in and the tools to start the process.
I started with the faucet and getting it re-installed was as easy as when I removed it. The special tool, the snap-on connector and hand tightened water connections made the job stress-free.
I proceeded to install the soap dispenser, when Efiwym, my wife, asked me to fill the soap container before I attached it. A simple request, but for some reason I was bothered by it. Next, was the air gap. I did not need a string to pull it through the countertop opening. I just popped the head through the hole, and it stayed. I pulled it out completely with a pliers and attached the nut. This was as far as I could go for today. I needed to wait until tomorrow to install the waste pipes for the sink.
The following afternoon, I was anxious to get started with the waste pipes and finishing this part of my projects.
Again, I grabbed the necessary parts to reconnect the sink, including the new garbage disposal. I had a chance to compare the flange that came with the garbage disposal with the matching-colored flange I ordered. They looked similar and I thought the flange should work.
I first hooked up the waste pipes for the non-disposal basin. Since the old sink had a very shallow basin, I just needed to cut the pipe coming down from the drain a few inches shorter. With a large bead of fresh plumber’s putty, I pushed the drain flange down into the hole. Thinking that the plumber’s putty would hold the bottom half to the sink, I pressed it in place under the drain. I got back up to try to tighten the connecting screw in the middle of the flange, but the bottom half just dropped to the ground. I tried the process again, with the same results. I called out Efiwym’s favorite line, “I need your help for a second.”
With me under the sink holding the bottom half of the drain in place, I asked her to screw in the drain above. With her help, she got the drain started and I could finish tightening it up. I cleaned up all the excess putty from around the drain and attached the remaining waste pipes to the drain. Time to test for leaks. However, before I started running water, I made sure the waste pipe for the disposal basin was plugged with a rag. I filled the basin halfway, and release the stopper, and…no leaks. (By the way, when I brought home the new disposal, I immediately put the new clean out plug in place.) Time to install the disposal.
I saved the dreaded part of this project for last, the installation of the garbage disposal. The new one that I bought was heavier than the old one, but it supposedly was easier to install. I would be the judge of that.
I needed to prepare the disposal. First, I needed to knock out the plug for the dishwasher drain hose and install the waste pipe. The original disposal’s waste pipe was cut to shorten it up. So, I just might use that one. However, I installed the one that came with the new disposal. I would hook up the electrical after I mounted the sink drain flange. But first, I wanted to mount the Romex clamp connector. The disposal did not come with one, so I used the one from the old one. I had a very difficult time getting the nut screwed on. The space was limited inside the wall of the disposal, and the worse happened. The nut fell in the disposal, and I could not locate it. I shook the disposal upside-down, and eventually the nut appeared. I tried it again, and finally, I got the nut screwed on the clamp.
I was going to swap out the flange that came with the new disposal with the one that matched the color of the sink. I put the plumber’s putty around the edge and pressed the flange in the basin hole. Underneath, I put on the gasket and the mounting assembly. I slipped the retaining ring on the flange to hold the assembly in place. I started to tighten the screws and the assembly fell off. It slipped past the retaining ring. I tried it again, and the same thing happened. I thought the retaining ring was the problem, so I widened the assembly would stay in place. Well, that did not work. The assembly again came crashing down. Now I was angry. This flange was faulty.
Danco Flange
InSinkerator Flange
I decided I wanted to get the sink done today, so I scrapped the matching flange for now and went with the one the new disposal came with. It was made of stainless steel, but it would have to do until I figured out this fiasco. I repeated the process for this flange, and the mounting assembly was holding, until part of the retaining ring popped out. So, I took the assembly apart, re-bent the retaining ring back to its original shape. I re-installed the mounting assembly, and it stayed in place.
I explained my dilemma with Efwym, my wife. I assured her I would figure it out. She just said, “The stainless-steel drain doesn’t look bad.” To me it looked terrible! Now it was time to mount the disposal.
I did a quick check online on how to install this particular flange that was provided by the manufacturer. I found a YouTube® video that explained how to install it. Great, I would watch it. Well, I was a minute into the video, I discovered my problem. This flange is inserted into the original flange for the disposal. I walked over to the sink and slipped the flange into the existing flange. I pressed it down and it snapped into place. I never read the directions that were provided. What a dope, but an ecstatic dope.
Back to the disposal installation. I removed all the waste pipes for that side. I first checked if the disposal switch was off, and it was. Why would it be on? But with my luck it could have been. I ran the Romex wire through the clamp connector and tightened the clamp. I wired up the disposal and placed the cover back on. Now, it was ready for the installation.
I lifted the disposal up towards the mounting assembly. The disposal was not light, and I needed to use two hands. I could not get the disposal plumb to put it into the mount. What was going on? Well first, the replacement clean out plug knob was larger than the old one, and the disposal was hitting it. And secondly, the waste pipe from the wall was in the way. I thought turning the clean out plug around so the knob was recessed might give me room needed, but no, it was the waste pipe that prevented me from installing the disposal. Now I was really angry!
As I was explaining my problem with Efiwym, my wife, I let her know that the sink would not be finished today, but at least we had one drain that worked. I needed to do some Internet research.
I sat and pondered a solution. Could I shorten the waste pipe? Could I convert the clean out to a drain? I started to search the Internet for solutions. Yes, I could convert the clean out to a drain. So, I would go to the hardware store tomorrow to find what I needed to make this work.
Suddenly, I had an epiphany, an ah-ha moment. Maybe, it was a Zen moment, but it was good! Why don’t I just switch the drains and put the disposal on the other basin. The waste pipe coming out of the wall was not centered in the cabinet. It was offset to the side where the original disposal was located. That was it! I announced it to Efiwym. I had a flash of joy. But would it work? I took a peek under the sink. Aha, there was definitely more room. This should work, but not today. I was done for now. I would try again the following morning.
I got up early and started planning out the task at hand. I was not happy that I had to remove the drains and swap them out, but this had to work. I started on the project immediately and removed both drain flanges. I re-installed the non-disposal drain and got the waste pipes hooked up. I then did a quick check for leaks. I put in the drain stopper and filled the basin halfway with water. I released the stopper and…all the water drained out of the waste pipe for the disposal. After I cleaned up all the water, I would test it for leaks after the disposal was mounted.
I got the other drain with the mounting hardware installed. I did a quick alignment check. The copper pipe might be in the way, but it would flex enough so I could put the disposal in place. This was it. I picked up the disposal with both hands, and in an awkward position I was able to get the disposal into the mounting assembly and gave it a small turn. It was in place. I turned the disposal bracket more to lock it down. On more squeeze with the channel locks, and the disposal was on to stay.
I now had to install the waste pipe to the disposal. The waste pipe that was connected to the disposal was too long, so I replaced it with the old one. Everything lined up and I tightened down the nuts. Now for the leak test. I filled both basins with water and pulled the stoppers. No leaks. Yay! I flipped the switch on the disposal. Still loud but running. I was overjoyed. My plan worked! This was the ultimate Zen and the Art of DIY moment. The sink was finally installed. I needed to go to work.
