Mountain Man Plumbing / The kitchen drainSandy · Salt Lake Valley

Choosing & replacing

Choose the unit.
Check the whole connection.

The right replacement fits beneath the sink, connects to a drain that can empty by gravity and gives you the power and sound level you want. A few measurements and a look at the existing plumbing keep the choice straightforward.

Shop disposals →Book a repair (385) 766-8935

From our repair log / West Valley CityThe disposal. The drain. The whole connection. ↗

First, what sounds closest?

Replace it or try to save it?

Three clear choices

How much disposal do you want?

Every option includes normal removal, installation, connection, testing, and cleanup.

Budget

Badger 1

1/3 HP

A simple, reliable replacement for lighter everyday use.

Best for rentals, small households, and basic cleanup

Choose budget →

Badger 5XP

3/4 HP

More grinding power without paying for premium sound control.

The best fit for most busy kitchens

Choose most popular →

Premium quiet

Pro 750

3/4 HP

Premium construction and noticeably quieter operation.

Best near living areas and open kitchens

Choose premium quiet →

Optional photo

Show us under the sink

One photo helps us arrive prepared. Skip it if you do not have one.

Add photo

Power: The ⅓ HP choice suits lighter use. The ¾ HP models provide more turning force for everyday grinding.

Quiet: The PRO 750 adds sound insulation and multiple grinding stages. Horsepower alone does not tell you how loud a unit will be.

Check the fit under your sink →

A kitchen workhorse / open it up

From the sink.
Through the grinder.

Turn the assembly, open the housing and follow the working parts. The grind plate throws scraps against a fixed ring; water carries the particles into the drain.

Loading the disposal cutaway…

Under the sink

Drag to turn. Select a part to see what it does and what can go wrong.

About the assembly & parts index

Built from the Badger dimensional layout and installation references. The cutaway illustrates a single-stage grinder; the motor winding and water-flow details are teaching geometry. Rotation is slowed so you can follow it. The outer dimensions follow the Badger 5XP reference: 12⅝ inches high and 6⁵⁄₁₆ inches across. The sink, trap and cabinet show the connected installation.

The disposal and its drain: Food enters from the sink. The motor turns a grinding plate inside the upper chamber, and water carries the small particles through the side outlet into the P-trap.
Sink flange & three-point mount: The stainless flange seals against the sink. A fiber gasket, backing flange and mounting ring clamp underneath; three locking tabs carry the disposal’s weight.
Rubber splash baffle: Flexible rubber fingers surround the opening. They help contain splash and reduce the chance of loose material flying upward.
Grinding plate & swivel lugs: The motor turns a steel plate. Two blunt lugs swivel on the plate and push scraps outward against the grind ring.
Stationary grind ring: Raised edges and openings around the chamber break the scraps down. Small particles and water pass into the discharge space outside the ring.
Motor, shaft & water seal: The motor sits below the wet chamber. Its shaft turns the plate through a sealed bearing area that keeps wastewater out of the motor.
Discharge elbow & gasket: The side outlet carries ground scraps and water to the drain. A gasket seals the elbow to the housing; the drain tube connects to the trap.
P-trap & wall drain: The curved pipe holds a water seal that blocks sewer gas. Water flows over the trap’s outlet and along the horizontal arm into the wall drain.
Dishwasher inlet & hose: The dishwasher pumps used water through this smaller upper inlet. A new unit ships with a knockout closing that connection.
Overload reset & wrench socket: This Badger-style unit has a manual overload reset underneath and a separate center hex socket for its jam-release wrench.
Power connection: A corded unit plugs into a suitable supply; a hardwired unit connects through its protected wiring compartment. The switch controls that supply.

01 / Choosing & replacing

Horsepower, sound and grind design

Horsepower describes motor power. A basic ⅓ or ½ HP unit can suit lighter cleanup. A ¾ HP model offers more capacity for regular meal preparation; 1 HP options are available for heavier use.

Sound control is a separate feature. Insulation around the unit and vibration isolation at its mount and outlet can make an open kitchen more comfortable.

Some premium models add grinding stages to make particles finer. The drain still has to carry those particles away, so grease and large food loads remain poor habits.

02 / Choosing & replacing

The outlet height decides whether it drains

Measure from the sink bottom to the disposal outlet and compare that with the trap and wall drain. The route must let water leave the unit instead of holding it in the housing.

A deeper replacement sink can move the disposal lower. A wider quiet model can take space used by filters, pull-out bins or the faucet’s hose weight.

The new unit may fit an existing compatible mount, but the mounting ring, seal, discharge elbow and dishwasher connection still need inspection. A photo of the model label and a wider picture under the sink help us plan the work.

03 / Choosing & replacing

Wall switch, air switch or batch feed

A continuous-feed unit runs while its switch is on. You feed small scraps gradually with cold water flowing.

An air-switch button can sit on the countertop. A small air tube operates the electrical switch module beneath the sink. The disposal still needs electrical power.

A batch-feed unit starts when its matching stopper is seated and operated. Load the chamber, fit the stopper and run that batch with water as instructed. Its stopper is part of the control system.

04 / Choosing & replacing

What the replacement work includes

With power disconnected, the old unit is supported, disconnected and removed. The sink flange seal and mounting hardware are renewed or reused according to their condition and compatibility.

The new disposal is secured, its discharge is aligned to the trap and its electrical connection is completed. A corded unit needs the correct cord; a hardwired installation needs the proper connector and wiring arrangement.

When the dishwasher drains into the disposal, the inlet knockout must be removed and retrieved from the chamber. The hose is secured and routed with its required high loop or air gap.

The final check includes water held in the sink, a full drain-down, powered operation and the dishwasher connection. The old unit is removed and the cabinet left usable.

05 / Choosing & replacing

What changes the installation price

The selected unit, a leaking sink flange, damaged drain fittings, a high wall drain and electrical changes all affect the job.

A straightforward swap uses a sound sink mount and a workable drain route. Cabinet or plumbing changes add work, particularly after a new deep sink goes in.

Tell us whether you already have a disposal, which unit you want and what is failing. We explain the work and price before starting.

Good questions

Disposal service, explained.

Can I supply the disposal?

Tell us the model and send a photo of the existing connections. We can check the fit and identify any cord, adapter or drain fittings the installation needs.

Link to this answer

Will a quiet disposal fit where my Badger was?

Check its diameter and the sink-to-outlet dimension, along with space around the plumbing. Quiet models often use a larger outer shell. Matching the sink mount alone does not settle the fit.

Link to this answer

Do I need a new sink?

Usually the existing sink can stay when its drain opening, mounting surface and condition are suitable. An unusual opening, damaged surface or a changed sink layout may need additional work.

Link to this answer

Let’s get the kitchen moving again

Save the unit.
Or choose its replacement.

Shop disposals →Book disposal service →

Sources & public guide record

Guide data (JSON) · Read this page as plain text

Choose the unit.
Check the whole connection.

Replace it or try to save it?