Always test that the power is off by flipping the switch to turn on the disposal. This can be done by either unplugging it from an outlet underneath the sink, or if it’s hardwired, you’ll need to find the electrical panel and turn off the breaker that serves the disposal.
Consult the manual of your disposal to make sure you’re getting the right one. You can purchase a replacement splash guard at most improvement stores. When this happens, it’s a smart idea to replace it. Since the splash guard is made of rubber, it is prone to tearing and cracking. Also, when you turn on the blades, the splash guard prevents bits of food and water from coming back up the drain, which would be messy and potentially dangerous. The job of the splash guard is to prevent objects such as silverware from accidentally going down the drain into disposal. When the unit is mounted underneath the kitchen sink, the splash guard is positioned in between the drain and the disposal.
The splash guard is a rubber gasket that goes on top of the garbage disposal.
The good news is you can replace this individual part for just a few dollars instead of having an entirely new unit installed. However, there are some smaller parts that may wear out before then, such as the slash guard. The average service life of a garbage disposal unit is 8-15 years, which mostly pertains to the motor. You may enjoy using the garbage disposal in your kitchen but that doesn’t mean you want to watch your hard-earned money go down the drain. Replace a Garbage Disposal Splash Guard in 8 Steps