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Soil is just one of the items you shouldn't put down a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are only meant for soft, non-fibrous foods. Large amounts of topsoil, dirt, or rocks will damage the blades of your garbage disposal or clog the pipes. If a small amount of dirt goes down the drain as you repot a plant, you shouldn't have to worry, but never dump a whole pot of soil in the sink for fast disposal.

The most common garbage disposal size in the U.S. is 1/2 horsepower. This size is ideal for households with three or fewer people or those that don't produce much food waste. Although 1/2 horsepower can't handle the typical food waste load for a household of four (which is about 250 pounds of food waste annually) as effectively as 3/4 horsepower, it remains the most common size of garbage disposal on the market.

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.

On average, it takes one to four hours for a professional to install a garbage disposal. This includes removing the old unit, taking necessary measurements for positioning, removing and fitting new pipes, and installing the brand-new disposal system. If there are unforeseen issues, such as accessibility concerns, the process takes longer.