How to fix a shaking/ Vibrating garbage disposal

While garbage disposals are essential and convenient appliances in modern kitchens, they can be pretty annoying if they vibrate excessively. Typically, a garbage disposal that is filled with food scraps is bound to produce some vibration under use. After all, every garbage disposal consists of an electric motor that spins a set of blades around to grind food waste into finer particles. However, if your garbage disposal is vibrating or shaking too hard when you turn it on and it’s empty, it has a problem that you need to fix as soon as possible. Or else the garbage disposal will start to leak, rattle or even become dislodged from the kitchen sink. With that in mind, how do you fix a vibrating or shaking garbage disposal? This comprehensive guide has step-by-step instructions on how to fix the problem as well as some reasons behind a shaking/ vibrating garbage disposal! 

Why is my garbage disposal shaking/ vibrating? 

Various factors can cause your garbage disposal to vibrate excessively when running.

 First, the garbage disposal unity may have become loose at its attachment point to the kitchen sink. Luckily, you can easily fix this issue by twisting the disposal unit back in place. 

Secondly, the grinding impellers inside the bottom of the garbage disposal might have become stuck or corroded, disrupting the balance. Also, the bearings inside the garbage disposal might have failed, preventing the blades from spinning freely. 

Other factors that can cause the garbage disposal to vibrate/ shake heavily during use include; 

• Broken impellers
• Stuck flywheel 
• Loose mounting screws

The mounting assembly has a resilient rubber pad that absorbs the vibration between the sink and the upper mounting ring. If the bolts of the mounting assembly are too loose, the rubber gasket will not absorb adequate vibration, causing the unit to shake excessively during operation. 

Step-by-Step Guide on how to fix a shaking/ vibrating garbage disposal 

• Turn off the power to the garbage disposal 

Similar to any other electrical appliance, it’s essential to prioritize safety before trying to do any adjustments or repairs to your garbage disposal. So, make sure you disconnect the power supply to the unit before troubleshooting the cause of the excessive vibration to prevent electrocution and other accidental injuries. To achieve this, unplug the garbage disposal from the power outlet or switch it off at the electrical panel by flipping the circuit breaker that controls it. 

• Check for loose mounting screws

As already mentioned, loose mounting screw is one of the common causes of vibrating or shaking garbage disposal. Unfortunately, these screws are bound to become loose over time due to vibration and regular use. 

Therefore, the first thing to check after turning off the power to the garbage disposal is to inspect for loose mounting screws under the kitchen sink. Tighten any loose screws with a screwdriver until the unit is securely fastened. 

• Inspect the garbage disposal mounting assembly 

In addition to loose mounting screws, a faulty mounting assembly can also cause your disposal unit to shake excessively during use. For that, it’s important to check for any signs of misalignment, wear, and damage to your unit’s mounting assembly if it’s experiencing excessive vibration. 

If you notice any of these issues, the best option is to replace the entire mounting assembly instead of trying to repair it. Luckily, there are many great mounting assemblies for various garbage disposal models available. However, it’s important to make sure that you choose a sink flange that is compatible with your garbage disposal brand and model. For instance, Insinkerator garbage disposals use a universal 3-bolt sink flange while Waste King disposals use an EZ mount type sink flange. 

• Balance the impellers 

If the garbage disposal is vibrating excessively due to unbalanced impellers, you can fix the problem by balancing the impellers. To do that, reach inside the garbage disposal and get rid of any debris that is causing the imbalance. Next, use a long object like a broomstick handle or wooden spoon to gently push the impellers, then rotate them back and forth until they start to rotate freely. 

• Unclog the garbage disposal 

An obstructed or clogged garbage disposal can also be the cause of excessive vibration. In that case, clearing any debris or clogs from your garbage disposal will help to resolve the problem. 

To start, make sure you turn off the power to the garbage disposal, then use a flashlight to check for any visible clogs/obstructions in the grinding chamber. Next, use a pair of tongs or pliers to remove foreign objects or food particles that are causing the clog from the unit. Finally, run a stream of cold water into the unit and turn it on for a few minutes to get rid of the remaining debris. 

• Check the alignment and balancing of the garbage disposal 

An unbalanced or misaligned mounting assembly is another factor that can cause excessive vibration in the garbage disposal. To check the alignment and balancing of your garbage disposal, turn off the power to the unit and uninstall the mounting assembly.

 Inspect the assembly for any signs of misalignment and damage to ensure it is even all the way around. If necessary, loosen the screws of the mounting flange and realign the unit until it sits flush with the assembly. Once you’ve done that, tighten the screws of the mounting flange to secure the garbage disposal in place, ensuring it’s both balanced and level. 

• Inspect the flywheel and blades 

Over time, the flywheel and blades of the garbage disposal become damaged or worn, resulting in an imbalance that can cause excessive vibration. To check if this is what is causing your garbage disposal to shake or vibrate when running, look inside the grinding chamber with a flashlight and check for signs of obstructions and wear. 

Next, rotate the flywheel manually with a wooden broom handle to check for any unusual sounds and resistance. If the flywheel isn’t rotating smoothly or the blades are damaged, consider replacing the components or buying a new garbage disposal. 

• Install anti-vibration pads

As the name implies, installing anti–vibration pads under your garbage disposal will help to reduce the noise and vibration coming from the device during use. 

To install these pads, put a mat or towel under the garbage disposal with its power off to protect the kitchen sink. Next, gently lift the garbage disposal and slide the anti-vibration underneath it, ensuring they’re positioned securely and evenly. Put the garbage disposal back into place to rest on the anti-vibration pads. 

• Regular maintenance 

To prevent your garbage disposal from generating excessive vibration in the first place, perform the following maintenance practices from time to time; 

• Feed a small amount of food scraps into the unit at a time to avoid overloading it. 
• Run cold water after, during, and before using the garbage disposal to ensure a smooth flow of food scraps and prevent overheating. 
• Don’t throw non-food items and hard objects into the garbage disposal. 
• Clean your garbage disposal regularly by grinding citrus peels or ice cubes to eliminate odors and remove food waste buildup. 

Conclusion 

Hopefully, performing the steps I’ve mentioned above will help you fix a shaking/ vibrating garbage disposal. However, if the unit continues to shake excessively, it could have a more complex issue like damaged internal components or motor problems. In such scenarios, consider buying a new garbage disposal to replace the shaking one, especially if it’s old. Alternatively, look for professional assistance from a local appliance repair technician or plumber to determine the next best course of action.