How To Diagnose and Fix Noisy Garbage Disposals?

Common Causes of Noisy Disposals

Your disposal might be trying to tell you something with its cacophony of sounds. Here are the usual suspects:

• Obstructed Shredder Plate: This common culprit often results in a loud humming.
• Loose Components: Rattling sounds often indicate loose blades or mounting screws.
• Worn Motor Bearings: A squealing noise could signal that your motor is crying out for help.
• Foreign Objects: That distinct “clunk-clunk-clunk” might be a wayward spoon or bone.
• Jammed Flywheel: If your disposal hums but doesn’t grind, the flywheel could be stuck.

DIY Fixes for Noisy Garbage Disposals

Now that you’ve identified the problem, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Here are some DIY solutions for common issues:

Clearing Obstructions:

1. Unplug the disposal (we can’t stress this enough!).
2. Use tongs or pliers to remove visible debris.
3. For stubborn jams, insert an Allen wrench into the flywheel hole and turn it back and forth.

Tightening Loose Parts:

1. Check for and tighten any loose screws or bolts.
2. If the shredder plate is loose, consider a replacement unit.

Unjamming the Flywheel:

1. Use the disposal’s offset wrench or a wooden spoon handle to manually turn the blades.