If your garbage disposal has a set of loose blades, it will grind nothing. The rigidity of the blades plays a role in the system’s efficiency.
If they’re loose and wobbly, they’ll struggle and ultimately fail their job. This can lead to further jamming and accumulation of food particles in the chamber.
It’s normal for garbage disposal blades to loosen over time. Fortunately, tightening them and getting them to work again is a simple task you can do in just a few minutes. Here’s how to do it.
Summarize the article here. Try to bring out the most important things from the article. You can use list and paragraph elements:
- Garbage disposal blades can loosen over time.
- To tighten them, remove the unit, get rid of stuck food scraps, and tighten the nuts that hold the blades in place.
- Make sure you turn off the power source before you attempt to detach the unit or tighten the blades.
It’s normal for garbage disposal blades to loosen with time. So if your garbage disposal has been struggling to grind and process food prep leftovers, here’s how to get those blades back to work.
How To Tighten Garbage Disposal Blades
Garbage disposal blades can cause serious injury to your hands. Even when the blades are at rest, the sharp edges can cause painful lacerations and cuts that require stitches and medical attention.
Before proceeding, see that the main power is turned off to avoid potential injury.
1. Detach the Garbage Disposal Unit
Once the power has been shut off, access the garbage disposal unit from under the sink. You may have to loosen several screws to completely detach the unit from its place.
2. Inspect the Unit’s Chamber
Look inside the unit for any blockages and debris. You’ll want to ensure it’s clear before tightening the blades.
Please get rid of any lodged food particles and inspect under the blades to ensure nothing gets in the way when you adjust their tightness.
3. Tighten the Blades
You’ll see two bolts that hold the blades in place when you peer into the chamber. Using a nut driver, tighten the blades.
You can check if they’re properly secured by gently wiggling the blades between your fingers. They should be relatively rigid when you tighten the nuts.
4. Reinstall the Garbage Disposal Unit
Put the unit back under the sink, securing all of the screws that you removed to detach it. Then, press the reset button underneath the unit before turning the breaker back on.
Your garbage disposal should work like new.
Summary
Loose blades can render your garbage disposal useless. To keep it working in proper condition, make sure to tighten those blades whenever necessary.
The process takes just a few minutes, and as long as you practice caution, you should be able to complete the steps without much fuss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Replace My Garbage Disposal Blades?
Yes, you can. If you notice that your blades are dull, they could struggle to grind and process food scraps. Experts recommend replacing the blades once every 10 years or as necessary.
You can perform the replacement yourself by following similar steps to the ones listed above. But instead of tightening the blades, you remove them and replace them with new ones.
Why Is My Garbage Disposal Making a Rattling Noise?
Loose blades can cause a variety of odd noises to come from your garbage disposal. But that’s not the only potential culprit.
Blockages and lodged food scraps can interfere with the movement of the garbage disposal and cause strange sounds. Turn off the power, detach the unit, and check for possible problems.
