Garbage disposals can make many sounds, each indicating different problems. If you hear a humming sound, it might be an impeller or motor jam. Warped or loosened blades can lead to a continuous grinding noise. A clicking sound might occur anytime something gets stuck. Rattling sounds tend to indicate broken or loose mounting screws. Gurgling suggests blocked drains or other drainage issues. To keep your garbage disposal running smoothly and avoid more serious problems, you should pay close attention to these noises.
What To Do?
If you notice the garbage disposal making strange noises, you’ll need to take quick action. Start by going to the electric panel and shutting off the power to the disposal. Take a pair of tongs, insert them into the disposal to feel for anything lodged, and remove it. Never stick your hand in a garbage disposal, and always switch the power off before working with it.
Once you’ve removed any obstructions, return to the electric panel and turn the power back on. Find the unit’s reset button and push it. Turn on the cold water and the garbage disposal at the same time. Let the disposal and water run for 10 to 15 seconds to clear any debris. If the problem continues, contact a professional to fix any underlying mechanical concerns.
How Do Plumbers Fix the Strange Noises?
Numerous mechanical issues can result in the disposal making strange noises. To fix these, plumbers will inspect and repair jammed impellers. They fix or replace worn-out or loose blades to get rid of grinding noises. To fix rattling noises, they usually have to replace or tighten damaged mounting screws. If the motor jams or fails, the plumber can determine whether it’s best to repair or replace the part. By addressing these technical problems, plumbers make sure the trash disposal works as it should without making any extra noise.
Ways to Prevent Strange Garbage Disposal Noises
If you hear anything out of the ordinary, don’t panic. Schedule a repair right away. Then, follow a few preventative steps to keep the noises from recurring.
Avoid Hard Objects
Hard objects like bones, cutlery, or big chunks of food can damage or jam the impeller or blade, leading to grinding or rattling noises. This indicates that the disposal’s mechanisms are under stress and could be about to fail.
Cut Food into Small Pieces
By chopping food into smaller bits, you make it easier for the garbage disposal to do its job. This is because disposals are more durable and less prone to jams and overgrinding when the pieces are smaller. When chopping food into smaller pieces, it’s important to use a steady cutting board, a sharp knife, and a firm grip. Following these safety tips helps prevent cuts and maximize the effectiveness of the disposal.
Avoid Fibrous Foods
Garbage disposals clog and make unusual sounds when fibrous objects such as celery, onion peels, or artichokes become entangled in their blades. The fibrous material is difficult to grind and easily entangles itself around different parts, immobilizing them. Common household foods that contain lots of fiber are corn husks, banana peels, cabbage, kale, carrot tops, leeks, and lettuce. You can compost or throw these things in the trash instead.
No Eggshells
Don’t put eggshells in the disposal. Although many believe that eggshells can sharpen blades, the membrane lining of an eggshell can attach to the components of a garbage disposal, creating jams and strange noises. Crushed eggshells are a major source of clogs as well due to their gritty texture.
Run Cold Water
To keep the disposal running smoothly and prevent clogs, run water through it after each use to flush food and trash particles. Avoid hot water, which can cause grease to stick to blades, and instead, use cold water to flush it through the system. Doing this little thing makes the disposal last longer, less noisy, and less likely to break down.
Flush with Citrus
Putting citrus in the disposal from time to time can enhance its performance and reduce strange noises. Lemons and other citrus fruits have an acidic pH that dissolves fats and food particles to make it easier for the disposal to grind and less likely to experience blockages. Adding citrus peels to the disposal also freshens your kitchen with a pleasant aroma.
No Non-Food Items
Do not ever put anything other than food in the garbage disposal. Utensils, bottle caps, and other tiny objects are common non-food items that make their way into disposals. You can keep these things from going down the drain by following the correct disposal procedures and using sink strainers. Other non-food items to keep an eye out for are jewelry, twist ties, plastic lids, rubber bands, and napkin rings.
Run Disposal Regularly
Try to run the disposal at least once a day to keep the parts moving, which helps protect them from rust and corrosion. It also lessens the likelihood of jams and strange noises.
Check for Leaks
Trash disposal is an integral part of a home’s plumbing system, breaking down food scraps and keeping the sink drain functioning optimally. But it can affect the plumbing system in a bad way if not used properly or ignored. Backups can occur when drainage systems get clogged due to improper disposal procedures. Check for leaks regularly, and watch for other signs of bigger problems, such as damaged or worn-out parts. be signs of bigger problems.
Avoid Coffee Grounds
Don’t drop coffee grinds down the disposal. As they settle inside pipes, coffee grinds create a slimy buildup that can clog the drain. Their coarse texture can add unnecessary wear and tear to disposal blades, leading to premature failure. The best way to dispose of used coffee grounds is in a compost bin or to use them as plant fertilizer. Coffee grounds can also be used as an all-natural bug deterrent and cleaning product. Recycling or reusing them can help the environment while also keeping your garbage disposal operating optimally.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Get a professional to service the disposal. During inspections, plumbers look for things like dirt accumulation, worn-out parts, and other problems. Maintenance includes wiping off blades, greasing moving components, and fixing any problems. Scheduling routine maintenance, preferably once a year, allows you to catch issues early and fix them before they become worse. In other words, regular maintenance helps increase the disposal’s lifespan, decrease the likelihood of faults, and make it run more quietly.
If your garbage disposal is making strange noises, Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric is here to help. We offer Plano, TX homeowners a variety of home services. Our specialties include heating and cooling, ductless HVAC, indoor air quality, plumbing, and electrical work. Give Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric a call now to learn more about taking care of garbage disposals.
