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If the cost of repairing a leaking garbage disposal is close to the cost of replacing the disposal, then fixing the unit might not make sense. When deciding if you should repair or replace your garbage disposal, consider the age of your garbage disposal, the cost of the repair, and whether your garbage disposal has had other problems recently to help you decide if the cost of repairing the leak is better than the cost of replacing the disposal.

These appliances do unscrew, but you need to disconnect everything properly when you replace your garbage disposal. Make sure you shut the power off to the area first and check that it’s off with a voltage detector. Disconnect the main drain line and P-trap, and then disconnect the dishwasher drain line if you have one connected. You can then unscrew your garbage disposal using a disposal wrench. Just make sure you disconnect the electrical lines before removing your appliance.

Garbage disposals last an average of seven years but can function well past 10 years. However, as time goes on and more food is ground, the grinding plates will slowly lose their edge and need replacing. A motor likely won’t last 10 or more years, but you should be able to get a minimum of five years at least, even under heavy usage. 

While the part of the garbage disposal that attaches to the sink is universal, not every single disposal will work in every sink cabinet. A larger disposal may be too big to fit in a compact space, for example. If the pipes under your sink are arranged in an unusual way, it may be difficult to put in a bigger disposal, even if there technically is enough space.