Since a garbage disposal can help you prevent clogged drains and premature repairs, it's a practical addition to any kitchen. Garage disposals grind and dispose of food waste, helping you avoid unpleasant odors in your trash bin. They're also easy to operate and maintain. But while garbage disposals work well with municipal sewer systems, homeowners with septic systems may have other considerations to keep in mind. Read on to find out more about your septic system and whether installing a garbage disposal is recommended for your property.

What Do Septic Systems Do?

According to Circle of Blue, over 21 million American households have septic systems. Before we discuss the concerns of garbage disposal installation for septic tank owners, we wanted to give a crash course on how septic systems work. Septic systems work to treat your household wastewater by separating solids and liquids. A septic system is made up of two components, which are the septic tank and the drain field. After separation, the liquid, also known as the effluent, is discharged from the tank and ends up in the drain field. The wastewater from your home is then slowly treated as it filters through the soil.

As the wastewater percolates into the soil, this facilitates the removal of harmful bacteria, ensuring that the water can safely be discharged to groundwater. All water that runs out of your home is treated in this way. The solids that remain behind in the tank are broken down into smaller particles, and they eventually settle at the bottom of the tank to form a sludge. If you dispose of oils and grease down the drain, they'll float to the top as scum. Fortunately, there are mechanisms in place to ensure the sludge and scum don't leave the tank and exit into the drain field.

How Do Garbage Disposals Affect Septic Systems?

You may be wondering why using a garbage disposal raises some concerns when you have a septic system. When used improperly, a garbage disposal can affect septic systems. Therefore, it's generally not recommended to use a garbage disposal if you have a septic tank. There are bacteria that live inside the septic tank and exist to break down organic matter. This prevents the sludge levels inside the tank from increasing too quickly. When the sludge levels increase too quickly, the capacity of your tank is significantly reduced, and so is the bacteria's ability to treat your household wastewater. That means you'll have to incur the additional expense of having your septic tank pumped to prevent problems. Therefore, the less food waste you throw down the drain (especially the foods that are hard to break down, like orange peels), the better your septic tank functions.

What Should You Keep Out of Your Septic System?

When you have a septic system on your property, there are certain things you should never put in your garbage disposal. The important thing to remember is that garbage disposal can only effectively grind easily biodegradable food scraps. They may not be able to grind items like eggshells, coffee grounds, fats, oils, grease, nuts, and fruit pits and peels. These things might successfully pass through the garbage disposal, but they can interfere with the bacterial ecosystem inside your septic tank since they don't decompose easily. Therefore, it's a good idea not to throw non-biodegradable food into the garbage disposal.

It's better to throw non-biodegradable food out in the trash. Some people think that it's fine to pour oil, fat, and grease into the disposal, but as mentioned, these substances float to the top and form a layer of scum inside the septic tank. These oily substances can also coat the floating waste, which makes it difficult for bacteria to get through and carry out the job of carrying out the waste. Another thing to remember when using your garbage disposal is to avoid putting large amounts of food down the disposal because this only means the sludge will accumulate faster in your septic tank. Hence, you'll need to get your septic tank cleaned sooner.

What Things Can You Put in a Garbage Disposal With a Septic Tank?

It's generally not recommended to use a garbage disposal if you have a septic tank. However, if you insist, there are some tips you can apply to avoid issues with your septic system. For starters, it's important to stay on top of maintenance. Regular maintenance will let you know if the way you have been using your garbage disposal has been hurting your septic system. Make sure you have a professional who regularly inspects your septic system and measures the level the sludge has reached inside the septic tank. When you use your garbage disposal to get rid of food scraps instead of throwing them in the trash, this increases the rate at which sludge accumulates inside the tank.

When the sludge has reached a certain level, it has to be pumped, and your septic tank has to be cleaned. This prevents issues like sewage backup, slow drains, and unpleasant smells. When it comes to what you can put in your garbage disposal, the list includes soft and non-fibrous vegetables, ice cubes, and biodegradable cleaners. These are less likely to interfere with bacterial activity inside your septic tank. Be sure to use cold water when grinding, as this helps to prevent clogs. Cold water solidifies oils and grease, so they can't be chopped. Generally, if you have a septic system, it's best to use your garbage disposal sparingly because it's your responsibility to pay for septic repairs.

Why Should You Invest in a Septic Assist Garbage Disposal?

The good news is that you don't have to give up on using a garbage disposal if you have a septic system. There's a way for your septic system and garbage disposal to co-exist in the same space, especially if you invest in a septic assist garbage disposal. This works like a regular garbage disposal, but it's specially designed to reduce the strain on your septic system. For instance, some products help to increase the levels of enzymes inside your tank, making it easier for the bacteria to break down wastes. Other products are designed for grinding food into tiny particles so the bacteria will have no trouble breaking it down. Investing in a garbage disposal with a septic-friendly design can reduce the risk of complications.

Using garbage disposals the wrong way can interfere with the smooth functioning of septic systems. When your home has a septic tank on the premises, it's important for you to understand how it works and what you should put into it when using your garbage disposal. When you develop good septic tank maintenance habits, you can extend the life of the system and prevent costly repairs. You can also keep your septic system in the best condition by enlisting the help of a reputable septic service. Contact us today at Reliable Septic & Services to learn more.