Garbage disposals are a modern kitchen convenience that San Antonio, TX, residents have come to rely on for easy and fast cleanups. Plumbed into your sink drain, its internal mechanism grinds food waste into bits, eliminating rotting food and making cleanup after meals easy. But when your disposal begins to sound weird, you can be sure something has gone wrong. The consequences of ignoring these auditory warnings are clogged drains and a kitchen that isn’t running all that smoothly. This guide breaks down common garbage disposal noises, their causes and how to know it’s time to act.
What Unusual Garbage Disposal Noises Might Mean
Many different factors may cause unusual sounds and could necessitate different solutions. Before attempting a fix for your garbage disposal, listen carefully to the sounds so you know what might be causing them. And if you are unsure, just call us for a professional plumber.
Loud Grinding Sounds
Loud and harsh grinding sounds are a definite sign of trouble for your garbage disposal. Grinding may indicate a blockage inside the disposal. There might be silverware that has slipped down the drain, animal bones, fruit pits, or other foreign objects that cannot pass through the grinding chamber. Another cause of loud grinding noises in the garbage disposal could indicate a problem with the grinding mechanism itself.
Humming Sounds
An improperly operating motor may cause humming sounds. Your motor may be struggling to operate the appliance or may not have enough power to fully function. A jammed grinding chamber may also cause such noises.
Vibrating Noises
Vibrating noises coming from your garbage disposal often indicate a loose component or improper installation. Parts may vibrate during operation because they are not secure and move more than they should.
What To Do When You Hear Strange Noises
When you hear unusual noises from the garbage disposal, stop using the appliance. Further operation can lead to more extensive damage and complete failure of the unit.
Shut Off Power to the Garbage Disposal
Before taking any further action after hearing strange sounds, shut the power to the disposal off. If your unit is hardwired into your electric system, you might want to turn off the breaker. If not, unplug the disposal itself from under the sink. If your garbage disposal somehow turns on while you’re tinkering with it, you face extreme injuries.
Check the Grinding Chamber or Reservoir
Using a flashlight, look inside the reservoir of your garbage disposal. Check for foreign objects and blockages that could be slowing down the motor or causing rattling, vibrating, or grinding noises. Make sure all parts feel secure and tight.
Remove Foreign Objects
If you find an object inside the grinding chamber that does not belong, remove it. Use pliers or tongs and avoid sticking your hands inside the appliance.
Prevention of Issues That Cause Strange Noises
If you’re already noticing strange noises from your garbage disposal, it’s too late for preventative measures this time around. However, you can avoid problems in the future by following a few simple tips and tricks.
Always Run Water When Using the Garbage Disposal
When you put food down the drain, turn on the cold water to flush the food away. Never operate the garbage disposal without running water. Running the disposal without water can lead to food staying inside the grinding chamber or reservoir and becoming stuck. It’s not a bad idea to use hot water to get grease off of dishes, but cold water is best for running the disposal. It helps fats solidify, which makes it easier for the disposal to grind them and the plumbing to transport them away.
Clean the Disposal Regularly
Clean your garbage disposal using dish soap and water. Simply pour a couple of drops of soap down the drain and follow it with cold water. This helps wash away excess food particles that might be hanging around inside the reservoir or on the blades inside your garbage disposal. Clean your unit using this method at least weekly.
Baking soda and vinegar are also great for cleaning your garbage disposal. Pour baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar, and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse with water while running the unit. This mixture not only cleans out food but also helps eliminate odors. If you have easy access to ice, filling your disposal with it and then running the unit with cold water also helps clean the blades.
Be Careful What You Put Down the Drain
Not all food can go down the kitchen drain, even with a garbage disposal. It’s crucial to know what is safe and what is not to avoid damaging your unit and clogging your drains. The following food items are hazardous and off-limits for your kitchen sink and garbage disposal.
Animal bones: Bones are often too hard and rigid for the grinding mechanism of your garbage disposal. They may cause too much stress on the blades and will most likely not grind up into smaller pieces that are safe for the drainage system. Additionally, bones may be sharp and pointy, causing damage to the drains, and are often irregularly shaped, which leads to an increased risk of becoming lodged in the garbage disposal or drain.
Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds clump together when mixed with water. This can create a glob of coffee grounds inside the garbage disposal or pipes and may create a clog.
Eggshells: Eggshells have a sticky membrane lining. This lining can wrap around the blades inside your garbage disposal, causing them added stress as it weighs on them. The sticky substance may also stick to the sides of the disposal or drains and attract other substances and form a blockage.
Hard Fruit and Vegetable Pieces: Tough fruits and vegetables such as pumpkins, peach pits, and corn husks may be too hard for your garbage disposal. The food may not pass through the appliance and can cause a clog.
Grease and Oil: Grease and oil are bad for your drains whether you have a garbage disposal or not. These liquids become solid when they cool. When this happens, they may stick to the inside of the disposal or the walls of your drains. Over time, they will continue to accumulate and attract other foreign material, blocking your drains from emptying. Dispose of cooking grease and oil by pouring it into a glass container and tossing it away after it cools.
Pasta and Bread: Pasta and bread (and other starchy foods) expand with water and may become stuck inside your garbage disposal. These items also harden when they dry, putting them at risk of becoming stuck to the walls of your reservoir or drain pipes.
Call Our Trusted Plumbers for Garbage Disposal Services
At Rosenberg Plumbing & Air, we have experienced plumbers who know exactly how to tackle your garbage disposal needs. Through rigorous training and exceptionally high standards, we offer the top garbage disposal services in the region. If your disposal makes noises that cause concern, call us for repairs. We also help with all your other household plumbing needs, including repairs, installations, drain cleaning, and leak detection services.
For the most trusted garbage disposal and plumbing services in San Antonio, call our expert plumbers at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air today.
Tags: Garbage disposal, Plumbing tips