Skip to content
We Offer Financing!

Garbage Disposal Sounds

A kitchen sink garbage disposal unit with attached plumbing and hoses underneath the sink.

My Garbage Disposal Sounds Like Grinding Metal

A garbage disposal on the fritz can either be an easy DIY fix, or it can be a more costly repair that must be left to a professional plumber. First things first, you need to know how to recognize the signs that your garbage disposal is malfunctioning. If your garbage disposal sounds like grinding metal, then it’s a sure sign that something’s up – and it ain’t gonna be pretty.

Loose Garbage Disposal Blades

Sadly, if your garbage disposal sounds like a rototiller on the loose, then your unit probably has a blade issue. Loose blades will result in a loud, obnoxious grinding sound from your disposal. While you might be tempted to fix it or to have a professional make the repairs for you, think twice about this option.
Loose blades generally require the garbage disposal be removed and taken apart, which ends up being more costly than the purchase of a new unit altogether. We recommend that instead you talk to a professional plumber about purchasing a new garbage disposal – they’ll help you pick out the most affordable option for your needs.

There’s a Fork Stuck in the Disposal

Before you lose all hope, make sure the check for a fork, spoon, or other utensil stuck inside your garbage disposal. It’s extremely common for a metal utensil to make its way down your disposal while you’re washing dishes, and this can not only ruin your disposal but it will create a dreadful grinding metal sound.
Common items that get stuck in a garbage disposal include:

What should you do if you suspect a fork is stuck in your disposal? Follow the steps below to remove it safely.

What to Do if Your Garbage Sounds Like Grinding Metal

  1. Unplug the disposal.
  2. Make sure the power is disconnected.
  3. Shine a flashlight down the sink drain.
  4. Remove any visible foreign objects using tongs or a wooden spoon.
  5. Plug in the disposal and run water.
  6. Test out the unit.

If your garbage disposal now sounds right as rain, congratulations! You fixed it. If the disposal is still making a loud noise, quickly turn off the unit and disconnect the power. If your garbage disposal sounds like grinding metal, it’s not a good sign. Contact your local professional for garbage disposal repair and have the problem diagnosed and taken care of and for any of your plumbing in San Diego needs.

Categories

Give us a call!

Or let us contact you!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Schedule Now
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice

At My Plumber PLUS, we are committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities enjoy full access to our websites. In recognition of this commitment, we are in the process of making modifications to increase the accessibility and usability of this website, using the relevant portions of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0) as our standard. Please be aware that our efforts are ongoing. If at any time you have difficulty using this website or with a particular web page or function on this site, please contact us by phone at (858) 206-8279; or email us at ([email protected]) and place “Web Content Accessibility (ADA)” in the subject heading and we will make all reasonable efforts to assist you.