How to DIY Reduce the Noise Made by a Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are an excellent addition to any kitchen, but they can be quite noisy. The sound of grinding food waste can be disruptive, especially if you have an open floor plan or live in a small apartment - especially if you have pets or children who may be sensitive to loud noises. Fortunately, there are several DIY methods you can use to reduce the noise made by your garbage disposal. In this article, we'll explore 10 different ways to quiet your garbage disposal so that you can enjoy a quieter kitchen environment.

Understanding the Noise of Garbage Disposals

Before we dive into the different ways to reduce garbage disposal noise, it's essential to understand why they make noise in the first place. Garbage disposals are essentially motors attached to a wheel / blade mechanism that grinds up food waste, so the noise comes from the vibration caused by the motor and blades. The sound can be amplified if your garbage disposal is not securely mounted, if the blades are worn out, or if there is too much waste in the disposal. Typically, also budget friendly garbage disposals are much louder than their premium counterparts. 

The Benefits of Reducing Garbage Disposal Noise

Reducing the noise made by your garbage disposal has several benefits, including:

• Making your kitchen a more peaceful environment - no body likes being suddenly startled by a noisy garbage disposal!
• Reducing the risk of disturbing your neighbours or others in your home in other rooms - especially at night. 
• Preventing potential hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud noise
• Improving the overall functionality and lifespan of your garbage disposal

How to Inspect Your Garbage Disposal

Before you start making any changes to your garbage disposal, it's essential to inspect it thoroughly. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Use a flashlight to inspect the interior of the garbage disposal for any visible damage or signs of wear and tear.
3. Check the blades for any cracks, chips, or dullness.
4. Make sure the mounting hardware is secure and not loose.
5. Test the disposal by turning it on briefly to listen for any unusual noises.

Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

One of the simplest ways to reduce garbage disposal noise is to clean it thoroughly. Food waste can build up over time and cause the blades to become dull, leading to more noise. Here's how to clean your garbage disposal:

1. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Use a flashlight to inspect the interior of the garbage disposal for any visible damage or signs of wear and tear.
3. Pour a cup of ice cubes and a cup of rock salt down the disposal.
4. Turn on the cold water and the disposal and run it for 15-30 seconds.
5. Repeat this process once a month to keep your garbage disposal clean and functioning correctly.

Adding Soundproofing Material to Your Garbage Disposal

Another effective way to reduce garbage disposal noise is to add soundproofing material to the unit. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Turn Off the Power
   Before you begin, make sure you turn off the power to your garbage disposal. You don’t want to accidentally turn it on while you’re working on it.
2. Clean the Disposal
   Next, clean your garbage disposal. Use a cleaning solution or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to clean the blades and interior of the disposal. This will ensure that the foam adheres properly.
3. Measure and Cut the Foam
   Measure the length and circumference of the garbage disposal and use those measurements to cut the foam to size. Use a sharp pair of scissors or a utility knife to make the cuts.
4. Install the Foam
   Place the foam around the garbage disposal. You can use adhesive to secure it in place if needed. Make sure the foam is snugly in place and covers the entire disposal, however Do not wrap the base to allow for air circulation and to prevent overheating.
5. Test the Disposal
   Finally, turn the power back on and test the disposal. You should notice a significant reduction in the noise level.
6. Bear in mind that you have also essentially wrapped a blanket around your disposal - this will trap heat - be sure not to run your disposal for prolonged periods of time to prevent overheating and fire risk. 

Replacing Your Garbage Disposal Mount

If your garbage disposal is not securely mounted, it can create excessive noise. Here's how to replace your garbage disposal mount:

1. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Detach the disposal from the mount by loosening the screws.
3. Remove the old mount and replace it with a new one.
4. Attach the disposal to the new mount using screws.
5. Test the disposal to ensure it's working correctly.

Using Anti-Vibration Pads

Anti-vibration pads can help reduce the noise and vibration caused by your garbage disposal. Here's how to use them:

1. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Place the anti-vibration pads under the garbage disposal and stack them up so that they are supporting the weight of the disposal, but are not pushing the disposal higher than it's proper mounting height. You may have to use a combination of foam and pads to achieve the proper result.
3. Tighten the mounting screws to secure the disposal to the anti-vibration pads.
4. Test the disposal to ensure it's working correctly.

Tightening Loose Screws and Bolts

Loose screws and bolts can cause your garbage disposal to vibrate and create noise. Here's how to tighten them:

1. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Inspect the mounting hardware for any loose screws or bolts.
3. Tighten any loose screws or bolts using a screwdriver or wrench.
4. Test the disposal to ensure it's working correctly
5. You can also try using flexible pipes to further eliminate vibrations.

Replacing Worn Out Blades

Worn-out blades can cause your garbage disposal to make more noise than usual. If you suspect your garbage disposal has worn out blades it is best to replace your disposal with a new one, as removing and sharpening the blades is virtually impossible with most disposal units. If you're looking for a quiet and affordable garbage disposal, you should check out the Insinkerator Evolution Compact - one of the most popular mid-range garbage disposals

Checking the Flywheel

The flywheel is a component of your garbage disposal that can cause noise if there is hard food waste gumming up the space in which the flywheel spins during normal operation. Here's how to fix it:

1. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Locate the flywheel and insert an Allen wrench into the hole on the bottom of the disposal.
3. Turn the Allen wrench back and forth to loosen any debris that may be stuck in the flywheel.
4. Test the disposal to ensure it's working correctly.

Installing a Silencer Baffle

A silencer baffle is a device that can help reduce the noise created by your garbage disposal. Here's how to install one:

1. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Remove the mounting hardware and lower the disposal.
3. Install the silencer baffle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Reinstall the mounting hardware and test the disposal to ensure it's working correctly.

Adjusting the Water Flow

Adjusting the water flow to your garbage disposal can help reduce the noise it creates. Here's how to do it:

1. Turn off the power to your garbage disposal by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Locate the water supply valve under the sink and turn it off completely.
3. Turn on the garbage disposal and let it run for a few seconds to clear any remaining water.

4. Turn the water supply valve on to full - large amounts of water mean that your disposal will have to work less hard to process food waste. 
5. Test the disposal to ensure it's working correctly.

Conclusion

Reducing the noise created by your garbage disposal is possible with a few simple DIY techniques. Whether it's cleaning the disposal, replacing worn-out parts, or using soundproofing materials, these methods can help reduce the noise and improve the functionality of your garbage disposal.

FAQs

How often should I clean my garbage disposal?

Cleaning your garbage disposal once a month is recommended to keep it functioning correctly.

How do I know if my garbage disposal needs to be replaced?

If your garbage disposal is making unusual noises or not working correctly, it may need to be replaced.

How do I test my garbage disposal?

To test your garbage disposal, turn it on and run water into it. If it's working correctly, it should grind up the food waste and drain the water.

How do I know if my garbage disposal is securely mounted?

If your garbage disposal moves around or creates excessive noise, it may not be securely mounted.

Can I use regular foam instead of acoustic foam to soundproof my garbage disposal?

Regular foam may not be as effective as acoustic foam in soundproofing your garbage disposal. It's recommended to use soundproofing materials specifically designed for this purpose.