How To Fix a Garbage Disposal That Shakes

Is your garbage disposal shaking so loudly that you are afraid it will vibrate the sink out of the countertop?

If yes, then you are not alone.

Shaking of the garbage disposal is a common problem that can occur due to several reasons. In fact, your food disposal will vibrate if it has food inside. However, if it shakes the moment you turn it on without any food inside, that can be a problem.

Read further as we uncover why your garbage disposal might be shaking and ways to fix it.

Why Does the Garbage Disposal Shake? (+ Fixes)

Garbage disposal is a handy appliance that makes our dishwashing much more manageable. Forget clearing your plates before dishwashing because garbage disposal can do your job.

However, clearing out sharp and hard objects from your plate is advisable to prevent your device from breaking.

Here are a few common reasons why your garbage disposal might be shaking and its easy fixes.

1. Loose From the Attachment Point

Before you dig into much more complex reasons for your garbage disposal shaking, it is advisable to examine the attachment point.

Often your appliance gets loose or displaced from the spot it is attached to the sink, resulting in vigorous shaking and vibrating.

Solution

You are lucky if your garbage disposal is shaking due to being loose from the attachment point, as fixing it is a no-brainer.

You need to tighten the attachment to your sink to ensure it doesn’t get displaced.

2. Jammed Impellers

The impellers are one of the most critical parts of your garbage disposal as they help grind the food into small pieces. If your garbage disposal is shaking, it can be due to jammed impellers.

With time grease and sticky food get stuck under the impellers, making it impossible to move. Once your garbage disposal tries to grind food, it has to work more vigorously, resulting in vibration.

Solution

The best and most convenient tip is to fill your garbage disposal with ice. It will help clear out anything stuck under the impellers and helps them freely move.

However, if the ice trick doesn’t work, you can use an Allen wrench to unclog the impellers and make them move freely.

• You can find a port at the bottom of your device.
• Place the Allen wrench in the port and move it clockwise and counter-clockwise for a while.
• Once you notice your wrench moving freely, it indicates that the blades are unstuck.

3. Corroded Impellers

Another reason for your garbage disposal shaking can be corroded impellers. With time and due to immense exposure to water, your impellers tend to rust and disrupt the flywheel balance.

If that is the case, your flywheel won’t spin efficiently, resulting in the device’s vibration.

Solution

Remove the splashguard and use a torch to examine the impellers’ condition. If they look corroded or damaged, it is better to replace them as soon as possible.

4. Tight Mounting Bolts

The garbage disposal has a vibrating absorbent rubber pad between the upper mounting ring and the sink. If the mounting bolts are too tight, the rubber pad won’t be able to absorb much of a garbage disposal’s vibration resulting in shaking.

Solution

Remove the garbage disposal from the sink and loosen the mounting bolts to ensure the rubber pads have ample space to absorb the vibration easily.

Takeaway

Garbage disposal’s regular maintenance and cleaning are essential to make things work properly. It is an excellent practice to place ice cubes in the disposal every once in a while to keep things moving.

If you notice a vibration or shaking in your garbage disposal, take immediate action before it’s too late.

You do not need a professional to fix the vibration issue; however, if the given solutions don’t work, there is no harm in calling an expert for help.