Ever turn on the disposal and think, “That… doesn’t sound right”?
Maybe it clunks. Maybe it growls. Maybe it screeches like it’s chewing on a fork you forgot was in the sink.
Either way, you stop for a second and wonder: Should I run it again? Is it dying? Do I just ignore it and hope for the best?
We get it. At Cornwell Plumbing, we’ve heard every sound a garbage disposal can make, and more than a few it probably shouldn’t. And the truth is, strange noises are usually your disposal’s way of saying, “Hey, something’s off.”
Let’s break down what those sounds could mean, what’s causing them, and when it’s time to stop guessing and have someone take a real look.
What Those Noises Actually Mean
Garbage disposals aren’t supposed to be silent. But they’re not supposed to sound like a lawnmower hitting a toolbox either.
Here’s what some of the most common noises could be telling you:
1. Grinding or Metal-on-Metal Clanking
If it sounds like it’s chewing on a fork… it might be. A stray spoon, a piece of bone, maybe a rogue bottle cap, something solid found its way into the chamber, and now it’s making a scene.
What to do: Cut the power (seriously — unplug it or flip the breaker), then grab a flashlight and a pair of tongs. If there’s nothing in there and it still sounds like a car crash, it could be internal damage or something loose inside. Time to call in backup.
2. Low Humming With No Movement
This one’s tricky. You flip the switch, and it hums… but the blades don’t spin. That’s your motor trying to work but getting nowhere, like a car stuck in the mud.
What to do: Turn it off, fast. Letting it sit there humming could fry the motor for good. It’s likely a jammed flywheel or something blocking the impellers. A Plumber Brownsburg IN can free it up and make sure the motor’s still in decent shape.
3. High-Pitched Whining or Screeching
If your disposal is whining like a tired toddler or screeching like it’s in pain, odds are the bearings are worn down or the motor’s starting to fail. This is the kind of sound that says, “Hey, I’ve had a good run.”
What to do: If your unit’s pushing 8–10 years, this might be its way of saying goodbye. Call for an inspection before it quits entirely and leaves you with a sink full of regrets.
What Causes All This in the First Place?
Garbage disposals don’t usually break down out of nowhere. Most of the time, it’s a slow build. A little too much of the wrong stuff, day after day, and suddenly it starts making noises you’ve never heard before.
Here are a few common troublemakers we run into all the time:
Putting in things it was never meant to handle.
We’re talking bones, celery, corn husks, too much pasta, and of course, mystery items that “fell in.” These jam the blades or clog the drain quickly.
Pouring grease or fat down the drain.
Sure, it looks harmless when it’s hot and liquid. But once it cools? It sticks to the inside of the unit and hardens, leading to buildup, blockages, and that smell you can’t quite get rid of.
The unit’s just getting old.
Like any appliance, garbage disposals have a life span. Most last around 8 to 12 years. Even if you’ve been careful, wear and tear eventually win out.
Knowing what’s behind the noise can help you figure out if it’s a simple fix or a sign that the disposal’s ready to call it quits.
When It’s Time to Call a Plumber
There’s a line between a small annoyance and a job for a pro. You might try hitting the reset button or using a hex wrench to loosen a jammed flywheel, and sometimes that works.
But here’s when it’s best to stop guessing and bring in someone who knows their way around a disposal:
- You’ve cleared it out, but the sound persists
- The disposal won’t turn on or keeps tripping the breaker
- Water is leaking from underneath the unit
- It’s getting louder each time you use it
- It smells bad, no matter what you clean it with
Disposals are small but mighty, and when they stop working properly, they can affect your entire kitchen’s plumbing system. Fixing the root issue early means fewer headaches later.
Why Timely Garbage Disposal Repair Matters
Delaying repairs may seem harmless at first, especially if the unit still “mostly works.” But here’s what can happen if you keep ignoring the signs:
- Food buildup in the chamber leads to persistent clogs and foul odors.
- Motor strain reduces the lifespan of the entire unit.
- Leaks from worn seals can damage cabinets, flooring, and subflooring.
- Overflow or backups in the kitchen sink which can affect your dishwasher, too.
What could’ve been a $100 fix turns into a $600 replacement. Or worse, a full kitchen plumbing job.
So… What Now?
A garbage disposal isn’t supposed to rattle, hum, or make you wonder if something’s about to snap. If it sounds off, something probably is. You’ve got two choices: keep ignoring it and hope it holds up… or have someone come out, figure out what’s going on, and deal with it the right way.
That’s what we do at Cornwell Plumbing. If your disposal’s acting up, we’ll check it out, give you the real answer, and if it needs fixing, we’ll take care of it. If not? You’ll at least know for sure.
