Kitchen Faucet and Garbage Disposal Kits

Replacing a kitchen faucet or garbage disposal sounds like a weekend headache. It usually isn’t. The two decisions that matter most are picking the right disposal horsepower for how you cook and confirming the new unit fits the sink flange you already have. Get those right, and the rest is screwdriver work.

For broader project planning, explore WBC’s building materials resources.

For related product information, see Flanged Tailpieces: How to Match the Right Size, Length, and Material to Your Sink Drain.

A faucet/disposer kit pairs a single-handle or pull-down faucet with a continuous-feed disposal — both common upgrades that homeowners and remodelers tackle together. Disposals come in three horsepower tiers, and the mount style decides whether you’re doing a quick swap or a full re-plumb.

Matching Disposal Horsepower to Your Kitchen

Horsepower is the single biggest performance variable. Buy too little and you’ll jam it on chicken bones. Buy too much and you’ve paid for grinding muscle you’ll never use. Three tiers cover almost every household.

A half-horse unit handles everyday scraps and fits tight cabinets. Western Building Center carries a 1/2 HP galvanized-steel disposer in that class. Step up to 3/4 HP and the picture changes. The Host Series EX75C disposes of foods like small fruit pits, lemon rinds, banana peels, small bones, and cooked meats quickly and with less noise. For the heaviest cleanup, the 1 HP EXL100c is built for it — a 1 horsepower disposal provides fast, powerful grinding of everyday food scraps, and the VORTEX motor provides fast, powerful grinding which helps reduce jamming.

The motor type is worth understanding. These permanent-magnet motors hit full grinding speed instantly, which is what resists jamming on tough loads. A half-horse unit isn’t the one for large bones or heavy fibrous waste like corn husks.

Model	Horsepower	Motor	RPM	Weight
GXP50C class	1/2 HP	Permanent magnet	2,600	~9.64 lbs
EX75C	3/4 HP	Permanent magnet	2,700	10.5 lbs
EXL100c	1 HP	Permanent magnet	2,800	14.8 lbs

Grind components and build

Material grade decides how the unit holds up in a permanently wet environment under your sink. Mid-range disposals use galvanized steel grinding components — decent rust resistance with regular use. The better models move to stainless. The EXL100c runs stainless steel grind components with a grind chamber made of corrosion-proof glass-filled polyester and nylon. The EX75C splits the difference: continuous feed technology with stainless steel and galvanized components, paired with a corrosion-proof glass-filled polypropylene grind chamber.

Noise matters in an open kitchen. The higher-tier units carry SoundSHIELD technology that provides sound-deadening insulation for a quieter experience, and a 360-degree Clean Rinse design that eliminates odors.

Mount Compatibility and Installation

This is where buyers either save an hour or lose an afternoon. The mount system determines whether your existing sink flange stays put. The good news: these disposals use a Universal Xpress Mount, and the EX75C installs easily on most existing 3-bolt assemblies and fits most existing assemblies, including the InSinkErator brand. If your old disposal hung off a 3-bolt ring, the flange usually doesn’t need replacing.

Most homeowners knock this out in 20 to 45 minutes with basic tools — screwdrivers, channel locks or adjustable pliers, a flashlight, and a pencil. The kits arrive mostly complete. A typical EXL100c box includes the disposal unit with Universal Xpress Mount, a pre-installed power cord that’s hardwire capable, a removable splash guard, a drain stopper and stainless steel sink flange, a drain elbow and mounting assembly, and a Simple Snap Tool. That pre-installed cord is a real time-saver — it’s a savings over models where the cord must be purchased separately, and the cord easily removes for optional hardwiring.

These run on 115 volts, 60 Hz. If you’re hardwiring rather than plugging in, bring in a qualified electrician to handle the grounding. No shame in that — it’s the difference between a code-compliant install and a problem.

For island sinks or any spot where a wall switch isn’t practical, an air-switch accessory operates the disposal through the existing sink hole. It installs into an existing sink hole to operate the disposer with a plunger air switch — a perfect application for island countertops or where an electrical switch is unavailable, with no wiring connections or code restrictions.

Pairing the Faucet

Plenty of folks swap the faucet at the same time, since the under-sink work is already open. Western Building Center stocks several Moen kits along with a couple of other options. The Moen lineup includes the Adler single-lever (plain and with sprayer), the Adler spray kit, and the Renzo single-lever pull-out in stainless. For pull-down designs there’s the Nori and a Nori pre-rinse spring model. A Boston Harbor pull-down and a two-handle chrome kit round it out.

The common configurations are single-handle pull-down or pull-out heads at 1.8 GPM, mounted in either a 1- or 3-hole sink. Finish and spray style are the main personal calls — function’s the same across most of them.

Septic Safety and What Stays Out of the Drain

Rural Montana homes lean heavily on septic systems, and these disposals work with them — within reason. The units are safe for use with properly sized septic systems. The catch is load. Don’t overwhelm the system with grease or heavy starchy waste, and a properly sized tank handles the rest.

Some things never belong in any disposal regardless of horsepower: large bones, glass, china, plastic, metal, caustic drain cleaners, hot grease, and whole corn husks. Run cold water before and after grinding, and clean the removable splash guard now and then to keep odors down.

Warranty and Long-Term Value

Coverage scales with the tier, and both levels include in-home service — nobody’s shipping a disposal back to a factory. The half-horse GXP50C carries a 5-year warranty. The EX75C and EXL100c both step up: a 10-year limited warranty with in-home service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much horsepower does a household disposal need? For everyday scraps in a compact space, 1/2 HP does the job. A 3/4 HP unit handles small bones, fruit pits, and banana peels. Step to 1 HP for the heaviest, most frequent cooking cleanup. A half-horse unit isn’t meant for large bones or fibrous waste like corn husks.

Will a new disposal fit my old sink flange? Usually, yes. The Universal Xpress Mount fits most existing 3-bolt assemblies, including InSinkErator-brand setups, so the sink flange often stays in place. That turns the job into a swap rather than a re-plumb.

How long does installation take? Most homeowners finish in 20 to 45 minutes with basic tools — screwdrivers, channel locks or adjustable pliers, a flashlight, and a pencil. The kit includes the disposal, a pre-installed power cord, the mounting assembly, drain elbow, sink flange, splash guard, and drain stopper.

Are these disposals safe for a septic system? They’re rated safe for properly sized septic systems. The key is not overloading the system with grease or starchy waste. Used responsibly, a correctly sized tank handles disposal output fine.

Can I hardwire instead of plugging it in? Yes — the pre-installed cord removes for optional hardwiring. If you go that route, have a qualified electrician handle the grounding to keep the install safe and correct.

What should never go down the disposal? Large bones, glass, china, plastic, metal, caustic drain cleaners, hot grease, and whole corn husks. Run cold water before and after grinding, and clean the removable splash guard periodically to control odors.