Tuesday, February 7, 2012

How to Replace A Garbage Disposal

Cindy says I DID IT !!!! and I want to congratulate this widow who changed out her garbage disposal!
Read her story here today, which she kindly let me copy, and be sure to visit her blog, Consider It All Joy, and say "hello" from the WCP. ferree

I DID IT!
As I got into my car, hands filled with plumbing supplies, tears filled my eyes.
Home Depot is not the place I usually cry but this trip was hard. It was the first Home Depot trip I have made alone to purchase something I needed for the house since Mark's passing. Home Depot was the place we always shopped together. There was nothing in me that wanted to make this trip except for the need to replace our garbage disposal which broke just a few days after Mark passed.
Living without it was becoming troublesome, especially since that side of the sink would no longer drain and it began to have a stench associated with it.
I've been watching too many Hoarder programs and one thing I have noticed is that most of them (the hoarder) became hoarders after a tragic event. They begin to not care about their homes and cleaning is the last thing on their list of 'to do's'. Fixing plumbing or electrical issues is also something they ignore. I DO NOT want my television debut to be on Hoarders so I thought replacing the disposal was becoming a priority.
So with tears streaming down my cheeks I came home and began the project.
The first priority was to gather ALL of the necessary equipment and parts for the job.
And I mean ALL ~~~
This is what I needed to replace. It leaked all the time so that blue bowl was the water catcher (I have since thrown it in the garbage).
First task accomplished ~ Removed the old disposal.
Next, I needed to do a little electrical work ~ attach what was in this package
To the wires coming out of the new disposal
Do some good old fashioned caping and taping ~ making sure ALL connection were color coded correctly and tight fiting.
Everything is now taken apart and ready for the new disposal and 'stuff' to be inserted.
I really did do this by myself with the help of my favorite youngest son.
New disposal complete with electrical connections.
Putting everything in place.
TA DAA!!
It took about an hour. I upgraded to a 3/4 HP instead of 1/2
Thanks to MJC who handed me tools, parts and held the flashlight.
He also got to plug it in.
It does work, no leaks and nobody was injured in the process.
So I sat on the floor and cried again!
There is still nothing in me that wants to live this life without Mark.
But I am so grateful that he was the kind of husband who encouarged me
to work along side him through our 30+ years together
Now, I believe I have earned myself that sprite and a little TV time
Considering An Accomplishment With Joy,
Cindy
PS: Thank you Home Depot Staff for helping to make sure I got everything
I needed on the first trip :)
No services or donations were received for this post, I just LOVE Home Depot

3 comments:

  1. Thank You Ferree, for sharing this post, for reminding me that God can walk us through even the toughest of trials, and for allowing me to share with and encourage other widow's to push themselves beyond what they think is possible. I have learned in this Widow Walk that truly 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'. Blessings to all, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cindy, thank you for using this trial to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and show us all that we are smart and gifted us far more than we ever knew before. God has surprisingly good things to show us!<3

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good for you, Cindy! It is such a good feeling when we tackle some unknown territory in the world of home-ownership! I have learned the joy of using some of my husbands cordless tools and am now well acquainted with my lawn-tractor drive-belt. I too, have been known to cry in the middle of a project. I have also thrown a screwdriver, out of frustration. I'm sure your husband would be so proud of you, and the Lord too, for trusting in His wisdom and strength! Well done!
    Hugs, Renee'

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I am not always able to reply but your remarks mean a lot to me and will appear as soon as possible.

Here are some tips for commenting:
Remember to click the Publish button when you are done.
Choosing the anonymous identity is easiest if you do not have your own blog.
Using a computer rather than a cell phone seems to work better. Thanks again!