Garbage Disposals and Septic Systems: Safe or Risky?
Love the convenience of a garbage disposal but worried about your septic system? Here is Skips Wastewater’s guide to safely using a garbage disposal with a septic system.
Garbage Disposals and Septic Systems:
Is the Combination Recommended?
What a wonderful invention the garbage disposal is. Overall, it saves time and frustration at the kitchen sink – something everyone can appreciate. It has put homeowners’ minds at ease about needing to scrape every last piece of rice from the dinner plate into the garbage, impossibly fishing for the last 6 pieces of Lucky Charms from the cereal bowl, and worst of all, touching a collection of soggy leftovers from the drain-stopper in order to allow water to flow down the drain.
Your sewer line connecting your house to the septic system or city sewer appreciates it, too. Without a garbage disposal, large pieces of food that make it down the kitchen sink drain would build up and cause blockages, likely causing backups into the home. However, garbage disposals are a great tool if used as intended. The word ‘garbage’ misleads many. A garbage disposal is not meant to replace a kitchen garbage can, but as a safety net for when food happens to make it down the drain. Overuse of a garbage disposal can have many negative implications to your sewer lines, septic tank, and septic system as a whole.
How Does a Garbage Disposal Work?
If your sink does not have a garbage disposal, individuals cleaning dishes should wipe all leftover food into a garbage can from plates, bowls, cutting boards, and silverware into the trash. If dishes are not thoroughly scraped down before rinsing or washing, whole pieces of food or collection of many little pieces of food can cause blockages in the sink’s drain pipe. The food that is able to flow through to the septic system or city sewer will remain whole until it is naturally broken down. This process takes days to weeks, depending on what type of food it is.
If a garbage disposal is present, food entering the sink is met with a grinder system before it continues down the drain. When ready, the grinder is manually powered on with a hardwired switch or button near the sink. Cold water should always remain running while the garbage disposal is in use to ensure all pieces of food are cut up and washed down the drain.
Garbage Disposals and Septic Systems
Many ask the question, “Can I install a garbage disposal if my house has a septic system?” The short answer: yes. The long answer: using garbage disposals with caution and moderation is advisable for most homes equipped with a septic system.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself to aid your decision in whether or not a garbage disposal is right for your home:
Can I trust all household members to use the garbage disposal correctly?
Again… a garbage disposal is not meant to replace a kitchen garbage can. Although a garbage disposal grinds up food into smaller pieces, heavy use of a garbage disposal means heavy amounts of food (albeit small pieces) in your septic tank. The food remains solid and will take time to breakdown, causing imbalances in the regular flow of a septic system. A high volume of solids needing breakdown in a septic tank makes for inefficiency among all components of the septic system! Make sure that all members of the household are educated on how to properly use a garbage disposal and food items that should never go down the drain.
Is my septic system in good shape?
We do not advise adding or continuing to use a garbage disposal if the septic system is currently experiencing backups or it is near the end of its life. If the system cannot handle the current flow of the wastewater leaving your home (toilets, showers, laundry, dishwasher, sink, etc.), then a garbage disposal will likely cause more problems with an influx of solids entering the septic tank.
Will I pump out my septic tank more frequently for the convenience of a garbage disposal?
Unless you use your new garbage disposal very sparingly, your tank will need to be pumped out more frequently with the addition of a garbage disposal. Make sure you know the percentage of solids your tank accumulates. The State of Connecticut recommends solid levels in your septic tank staying below 25%. With a new garbage disposal, your solids will accumulate much faster. Skips Wastewater Services provides customers with a detailed tank evaluation after every pumping service that can help guide you in deciding how often your septic tank should be emptied.
In general, we recommend homes with garbage disposals to be pumped out every 1-2 years, maximum. It is crucial to follow a strict septic pumping schedule with a garbage disposal. The average price for pumping out a septic tank is around $450, but replacing a failed septic system can put you back $20,000 – $30,000. Avoid costly emergency fees and repairs by being proactive with septic maintenance.
Will you consider buying septic-approved garbage disposal models?
Some garbage disposals are specifically designed for use with septic systems, while other manufacturers say their disposals can be used in households with septic systems as long as you are disposing of typical food waste items. A popular brand of septic-approved garbage disposals are made by InSinkErator. Make sure you do your research on the different types of garbage disposals to find one that fits your needs.
Rules to Garbage Disposals
It is important to monitor what is discarded through the garbage disposal. Putting non-food items or substances down the drain can disrupt the tank’s ecosystem and can cause blockages. Additionally, garbage disposals cannot protect your drain from all foods. Here is a list of things you should never put down a drain – garbage disposal or not:
- Eggshells and Nuts
- Oil/Grease
- Coffee grounds
- Bones
- Harsh Chemicals
- Onion Skin
- Fibrous or Stringy Fruits and Vegetables
- Potato Peels
- Pasta, rice, bread
Another rule – always use your garbage disposal with cold water running instead of hot water. Using cold water helps solidify fats, oils, and grease, allowing the disposal to break them into smaller pieces instead of letting them melt and stick to pipes. Cold water also helps keep the motor cool and flushes food particles through the system more effectively, reducing the risk of clogs and buildup. Overall, it helps your disposal run more efficiently and protects your plumbing.
Should You Get a Garbage Disposal?
The decision to install a garbage disposal in your home with a septic system is completely up to you as a homeowner. If used correctly, it will put your mind at ease with food that accidentally slips down the drain while washing dishes. Make sure you educate yourself and other household members on how to properly use the garbage disposal. One last reminder – a garbage disposal should only be used as a safety net for when food does accidentally slip down the drain, not as a trash can. Wrappers, bones, grease, etc. should never be put down a drain, garbage disposal or not. Be prepared to have your septic system pumped more frequently until you are able to determine solids levels with your new garbage disposal. Keeping up with regular maintenance is the best way to prolong the life of your septic system.
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Localized pooling or soggy areas in the drain field indicate septic system malfunction. These issues can result from a variety of factors, including clogged pipes or saturated soil. If you notice drain field problems, it's crucial to address them promptly to prevent further damage to your septic system and property.
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