Can You Have a Garbage Disposal With a Septic Tank?

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Garbage disposals help homeowners avoid food clogs in kitchen sinks. Many people appreciate the convenience of flipping a switch and grinding food particles that would otherwise clog their sink drain. However, if you have a septic tank, you might think twice about installing a garbage disposal. 

So, can you have a garbage disposal with a septic tank? King’s Services offers professional septic tank cleaning in Winnipeg, so here are a few ideas on the topic from our experts. 

How Does a Garbage Disposal Work?

Located in your sink drain, a garbage disposal features gears that pulverize food particles. Households with garbage disposals reap many benefits, such as:

• Fewer drain clogs
• User-friendly operation and maintenance
• Less food causing odours in garbage cans

But do these kitchen waste disposal mechanisms have optimal septic system compatibility? Let’s get into the details.

What Is a Septic Tank?

Septic tanks perform household wastewater management. Properties without municipal sewage connections need septic tanks as waste disposal alternatives. 

As wastewater leaves a household, it enters the tank and lets the solid waste separate and liquefy. The tank eventually releases the liquid into a network of underground filters but retains any solid waste. If it is reaching its capacity, a certified plumber must pump and empty the tank’s contents (usually every few years).

Use caution when flushing certain materials into your system if you have a septic tank. It cannot handle the following substances:

• Hygiene products like diapers, tampons, and flushable wipes
• Cat litter
• Paper products beyond toilet paper
• Floss and other fibrous substances
• Some household cleaners

Can you have a garbage disposal with a septic tank? If you have a sensitive septic tank that cannot process certain materials, it might not work.

Can You Have a Garbage Disposal With a Septic Tank?

Technically, yes, you can have a garbage disposal with a septic tank, but most plumbing experts don’t recommend this combination. The main concern isn’t the food that could accidentally enter the septic tank. Rather, it is that everything else coming through the garbage disposal might upset the delicate balance in your property’s tank. 

Food particles don’t decompose as readily as most waste substances like toilet paper or sewage. Septic tanks contain specialized bacteria to break down sewage, and these bacteria often do not target food waste as quickly. You might encounter some of the following consequences as a result:

• More frequent tank pump services: The more you use your garbage disposal, the more space the food takes up. Since the bacteria cannot break food down as quickly as sewage, you must schedule more frequent septic pump services with a qualified plumbing company. 
• Reduced bacteria effectiveness: Septic tanks support an ecosystem of bacteria that quickly reduce waste mass. Although the bacteria can break down food, the food that enters the tank is undigested. Therefore, the bacteria need more time to process the solids. 
• Higher potential for tank overflows: You must proactively schedule maintenance services to avoid an overfilled tank. Tank overflows have disastrous, unsanitary consequences. If you delay, you could find yourself paying for expensive cleaning and sanitization services. 

Experienced plumbers recommend using septic-safe appliances and tools. For example, a drain trap captures loose food particles in your skink while allowing water to filter through. You can empty it in your garbage can and avoid septic issues.

Effectively Using a Garbage Disposal With a Septic Tank

What if you still want to enjoy the convenience of a garbage disposal? You can install this appliance as long as you schedule consistent septic tank maintenance services from professionals. 

The dos and don'ts listed below can help you protect your septic system. 

You Should…

After installing a garbage disposal, keep the following points in mind when you use it. Ensure guests and other household members also apply these habits.

• Remember, garbage disposals don’t liquify food; they grind it up. Solid particles still enter your septic system, so professional pumping goes a long way. 
• Use your garbage disposal for decomposing foods. Rotting vegetables or fruits are already partially decomposed. Septic bacteria can break these substances down quickly. 
• Run hot water through the drain when you use the disposal. Cool temperatures solidify fats and oils, causing plumbing blockages. The hot water should sort out minor problems. 
• Use homemade drainage solutions: Vinegar with baking soda or boiling water with liquid dish soap will keep your drains clear. 
• Compost undecomposed food items. Otherwise, throw them in the garbage. Doing so lessens the need for septic services.

Follow these tips to help food waste liquefy or separate as needed without overfilling your septic tank. 

You Shouldn’t…

While using your garbage disposal alongside a septic system, regulate your sink waste. Use caution before you flip the disposal switch, and don’t do the following:

• Allow animal products through the drain. Shells, bones, fat, and dairy leave grease and mineral deposits throughout your drainage system. They also won’t break down quickly once in the tank.
• Grind and rinse whole plant products. Fruit and vegetable peels, foods with stringy fibres, pits, seeds, and whole grains will damage the disposal and take up space in the tank.
• Turn off the motor before the disposal finishes grinding the food waste. Wait until the disposal becomes quiet, and then run cold water for a few seconds following the cycle. 
• Dispose of foods that may expand. Rice, bread, and noodles take up more space when soaked. Plus, these foods congeal after soaking in water for long periods. 
• Grind hard materials like plastic or glass. Your septic tank and garbage disposal are unequipped to handle man-made materials. They will destroy your disposal and won’t break down in your septic tank. 

Contact King’s Services for Septic Tank Services

Can you have a garbage disposal with a septic tank? Yes, but you must proactively monitor what goes into your drainage system.

Stay on top of septic tank maintenance with King’s Services. We know how to tell if a septic tank is full and can help you avoid costly sewage disasters. 

Call 431-813-5843 today to discover more helpful septic services!