There’s no denying that having a garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup easier. However, it can also wreak havoc on a home’s septic tank installation if certain precautions aren’t taken. Here’s a closer look at how a garbage disposal can cause problems in your system as well as what you can do to help them get along better.

Why Disposals Spell Trouble for Septic Tanks

All of the waste that goes down your garbage disposal ends up in your septic system. While the appliance is designed to chop and grind food scraps into small pieces, issues arise when non-biodegradable or hard-to-break-down items—such as vegetable peelings, egg shells, or coffee grounds—are thrown down the drain. As these items build up in your tank, they may clog pipes and create sludge and scum blockages in your system, which can lead to messy backups that require expensive plumbing or septic repairs.

How to Prevent Issues

Most people don’t want to give up the convenience of having a garbage disposal. Luckily, there are steps you can take to minimize the problems that can arise from having both systems in your home. 

Always scrape off your plates into the trash before rinsing them in the sink, and never throw pasta, rice, coffee grounds, eggshells, bones, beans, potatoes, fibrous vegetables, and nonfood items down the disposal. These may damage the disposal’s blades or motor as well as cause issues in the septic system. Oils, fats, and greases should also never be put down the sink, as they may harden to a severe sludge and cause major damage in the pipes.

Because more waste is being transferred to your septic tank via your disposal, it’s essential to schedule frequent septic tank pumping services to prevent buildup and reduce the risk of clogs and backups. Once every three years is recommended for the average household, but a garbage disposal may speed up that timeline a bit. 

If you’re having problems with your septic system, get in touch with Chris Mote’s Pumping Service in Cleveland, GA. For more than three decades, this locally owned and operated business has been providing residential and commercial clients with septic tank installation, maintenance, and repair. They also provide grease trap cleaning and field line repair services. Visit their website to learn about the company or call (706) 865-5526 to speak with a septic tank expert today.