What you put down your home’s drains can have a big impact on the health of your septic system—including what goes in the garbage disposal. While these devices help chop up food into small pieces, they can still introduce materials that can result in backups and septic tank damage. To help you avoid these and other septic service complications, here’s what you should and shouldn’t do if you have a garbage disposal in your sink.

Do:

Pump the tank frequently.

When you use a garbage disposal, more waste is being transferred to your septic tank. Since this additional waste can increase the risk of clogs and backups, it’s important to have scheduled septic tank pumping more frequently than the standard recommendation for your home’s size. If you’re unsure of how often to do it, ask your septic service.

Clear the plates before you rinse.

While garbage disposals can be helpful in some situations, it’s best to reduce the use of the appliance as much as possible. To help cut down your usage, always clear your dishes into the trash before putting them in the sink for cleaning.

Don’t:

Put dangerous foods down the drain.

There are certain foods that should never be put down the garbage disposal since they can cause severe plumbing clogs—even before they reach the septic tank. These items include pasta, rice, coffee grounds, eggshells, oils, fats, grease, bones, beans, potatoes, fibrous vegetables, and nonfood items.

Stop grinding too soon.

If you shut off the garbage disposal prematurely, food matter may not be ground up properly and contribute to clogs. Rather than putting the system at risk, always run the disposal unit until grinding is complete and allow cold water to flow for an additional 15 seconds to push waste through.

 

Whether or not you use a garbage disposal, Wright’s Septic Service can keep your waste management system running strong. Based in Tomah, WI, these professionals offer comprehensive, convenient, and cost-effective septic tank pumping to ensure effective waste removal. They also provide septic tank inspections, maintenance, and residential drain cleaning to better protect your home’s plumbing. Call this Monroe County septic service today at (608) 372-3615 to schedule responsive care.