A double sink comes with tons of benefits; there is no doubt about that! But when you have to soak larger utensils all the time, you may feel the necessity to convert them into a single sink.
So, it’s no wonder why so many people are looking for ways of converting double sink to single with garbage disposal.
So without wasting much time, let’s get started!
How To Convert A Double Sink Into Single With Garbage Disposal?
Here is the process of converting a double sink into a single one.
- Get The Correct Sink
First of all, get rid of your old basin!
After that, if you want to avoid the hassle of rebuilding the countertop, you should get your sink according to its type.
For instance, when you have a drop-in countertop, you shouldn’t go for a top-mount basin! In this way, you can replace the whole thing without making any adjustments.
- Remove All the Parts
Now you will have to detach everything under the sink that is not glued. You can use rags to clip in the drain pipes. Then mount the sink according to the instruction on the manual.
- Attach the Garbage Disposal
Take a P-trap kit from one of the drain pipes to the disposal outlet. And then, you need to clip the other drain pipe.
If there is any leakage, you can call a plumber to fix the issue or replace the hardware with new ones. Watching this video will help a lot!
How To Install A Garbage Disposal On A Single-Bowl Sink?
If your single sink doesn’t have a garbage disposal and you are thinking about installing one, here is how you can do it.
Things You Will Need
- A disposal Unit
- Wire strippers
- Screw Driver
- Hammer
- Utility Knife
- A cloth
- Pliers
Procedure:
- First of all, clear everything under the sink and make room for working. And then, turn off the circuit breaker as you are about to start the wiring of your garbage disposal.
- Secondly, take your slip-joint pliers; detach the P-trap and drain’s extension pipe from the sink’s underbelly. After that, unscrew the nut underdrain coupling.
- Thirdly, take off the old putty from the wall to make the installation easier. Then, rub some new putty on the sink flange of your garbage disposal.
- Fourthly, it is time for you to insert the flange into the sink’s bottom hole. When you are done with that, move the backup ring and gasket to the flange’s open sleeve under the sink.
- Fifthly, connect the mounting ring and snap on it. Then fasten the screws properly to attach the whole thing tightly.
- Sixthly, attach all the wires using the wire nuts. After attaching them, tuck them all into the wire box and shut it.
- Seventhly, place the disposal on the mounting ring, facing all the outlets towards the drain pipes. Then, attach the disposal discharge tube firmly.
- Lastly, tighten all the couplers with pliers, and afterwards, turn the circuit breaker on. If there is no sign of leakage, the unit will be working properly.
And if you have any dishwashers, you can attach their drain pipes too. Just make sure that you are tightening the coupler properly.
Average Cost of Installing A Garbage Disposal On Single Bowl Sink
Well, the main cost of installing a new garbage disposal unit to your single sink will depend on the model you are buying.
You will find garbage disposals that cost from $80-$200. There are affordable options for everyone in the market!
And if you are hiring a professional to install the unit, you will need some extra bucks for that.
So when you are going for a mid-range disposal system and hire a handyman, it will cost you around $250, more or less.
However, you can reduce the plumber cost if you try to do the whole thing by yourself. Homeowners tend to perform this type of DIY task all the time.
Thus, even if you are new to this, you can easily install this system in your house. You just need the proper guideline, that’s it!
When you have a single sink with garbage disposal and dishwasher, sometimes the waste may go from one unit to other.
The waste will go to the dishwasher using the drain pipe that connects the garbage disposal to it.
This issue normally occurs when there is a clog in your disposal unit. When it happens, the garbage will be backing up into the dishwasher.
However, you can solve this problem with a mundane maintenance routine, to be honest. All you have to do is to pour hot water once a week.
In this way, the trash and debris will melt away, and your disposal unit will stay clean all the time.
Can I Change My Double Sink Into A Larger Sink?
Yes, you can perform this conversion task depending on your countertop type.
However, not all of us are experts on mechanical tasks. And so, mostly we will call a handyman to do our job.
But what to do when you want to finish the task by yourself?
To help all the DIY homeowners, we have prepared this article about such conversion of the double sink to single along with garbage disposal.
Now that you know the process, have faith confidence. I believe you will be as efficient as the professionals.
More so, you won’t have to replace the whole counter, but as you have seen above you will have to go through a tiresome process, and that’s a bummer!
Moreover, the process is not super cheap, even if you are doing it all by yourself! It will not leave you bankrupt, but you will surely have to more money than you spent on a new one,
If you are okay with that, you can start working on this DIY project.
How Do I Clean My Garbage Disposal Unit?
Here are two proven methods that will keep your garbage disposal unit fresh as a daisy!
- Use Ice and Citrus Wedges
Just take a few cubes of ice and half a lemon, and then run them through the garbage disposal.
The Ice cubes will get crushed, and they will clean the blade during that process. Furthermore, the lemon will remove all the bad smells.
However, you can use any citrus fruit instead of lemon.
- Pour Vinegar and Baking Soda
It is one of the most common household methods to clean your garbage disposal. First of all, sprinkle some baking soda and pour a cup of white vinegar into the disposal.
When the bubbling starts, let it sit for at least five minutes, and then rinse it with hot water.
Tips To Maintain Your Garbage Disposal
If you want to have a trouble-free experience with your garbage disposal, you need to regularly maintain it.
So, here are some tips for you that will ensure an optimal service from the disposal system.
- Never turn on the water supply until the disposal system is done with crushing. You can turn the water on after 10-15 seconds after the grinding has been stopped.
- You shouldn’t use any harsh chemicals such as bleach and drain cleaners.
- Use your garbage disposal system regularly to prevent rust and corrosion.
- After turning off the system, rinse it with hot water for at least 30 seconds.
- Cut large items into smaller pieces for better grinding!
The Bottom Line
After converting the double sink to single with the garbage disposal, you can soak all the large pans and pots altogether.
In this way, your dish cleaning experience will be more efficient than ever. And after this article, the conversion process will be breezier than ever!
And with proper maintenance, you can keep the system running for a long time.