Garbage Disposal And Septic Tanks

The gold standard rule of thumb is simply don t use a disposal at all with a septic system.

Garbage disposal and septic tanks.

Once there food scraps decompose faster than other waste sent into the tank. However that may not be the most realistic expectation. Maybe you have some reason why you feel you need to add one. So let s go over some other dos and don ts.

Depending on your needs this might mean tough vegetable fibers eggshells seeds meat and even small bones or fruit pits. Do consider building a compost pile for all those leftover peelings coffee grounds and egg shells. A garbage disposal is used to grind food scraps into tiny pieces making is easier to dispose of and process the waste. A garbage disposal grinds food waste to easily flow through a home s plumbing and into a septic tank.

Do pump out the septic tank more frequently if garbage disposal is being used heavily. This excess waste will never get a chance to break down in the wet environment. Garbage disposal septic tanks explained the key trait of septic friendly garbage disposals is that it can grind food wastes thoroughly. Maybe you moved into a house that already has a garbage disposal and a septic system.

The do s and don ts for using a garbage disposal with septic systems. You can sidestep this issue with a little selectivity. Because food scraps are 75 to 90 water they add very little to the solids that settle at the bottom of the tank. Don t put food macaroni veggie peels grease egg shells etc.

If you are using a garbage disposal when you have a septic tank though eventually you may accidentally overfill the solid layer in your septic tank. Only use your garbage disposal for unconsumed or rotted perishables soft foods such as old tomatoes bananas and oranges. When you use a garbage disposal for your septic system you are overloading the waste that is being put into the tank. The thing that garbage disposal manufacturers don t tell you is that you have to pump your tank at least twice as often if you use their product.