It is one thing to own a septic tank and another to take proper care of it. If you must take proper care of your septic tank and ensure it is properly maintained, there is a lot you will have to be aware of. When a septic tank is properly maintained, it can last as long as it should and will also be in good condition.
Maintaining your septic tank properly involves doing a lot. It also entails having the right knowledge. If you must maintain your septic tank properly and have it serve you for as long as you want, you must be certain of the things you can put into it, as well as the things you cannot put into it.
Now, considering the fact that every single drain in your home is directed towards the septic tank, lots of people have always wondered if it is okay to use a garbage disposal with a septic tank.
If you fall into the class of people that ask the question “can I use a garbage disposal if I have a septic tank?”, then, the answer to your question is yes if you choose from this approved list. While you are absolutely allowed to make use of garbage disposal if you have a septic tank, there are lots of things you have to know to ensure that you do things the right way. Some of them are knowing exactly what a septic tank and garbage disposal are, what they do, and how they work.
What is the Function of a Septic Tank?
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A septic tank is not any different from a sewer system in its function. A septic tank simply stores waste and breaks down these wastes with bacteria. Once these solid wastes are broken down, the liquid effluents are released.
All things being equal, a septic tank should be able to last as long as 30 years when maintained properly. Furthermore, it should be made of materials such as concrete that have the reputation of lasting for long.
Although septic tanks come with some advantages, when not maintained properly, they become less efficient over time. Also, they may have to be pumped after being used for a few years and can become less efficient because of accumulated sludge.
What do Garbage Disposals Do?
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The presence of garbage disposals in kitchens can go a long way in keeping the kitchen free from dirt and bacteria that are responsible for lots of illnesses. While garbage tanks are effective in helping people live healthy lives, they are not exactly the best for septic systems.
Most kitchens have garbage disposals. They are basically used in grinding up any foods that are left uneaten and they come with lots of advantages.
Some of the many advantages they come with are;
- They can be operated and maintained very easily
- They are a lot better than trash cans.
While garbage disposal comes lots of advantages, they also have a number of complications. Some of the negativities associated with the use of garbage disposals are; there are times they start releasing harmful odors, it could get difficult to manage every single food scrap, and clogs and jams occur occasionally.
What to Put onto Consideration if You Plan on Having a Septic Tank
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When you own a septic tank in your home or you have any plans of owning one, there are certain things you must put into consideration if you must get the best from the use of a septic tank.
If your septic tank must last you as long as you want it, you will have to maintain it in the same way as you maintain every other piece of equipment in your house.
For your septic tank to last long, you will need to flush down a limited amount of solid. The more you flush down materials that should not be flushed down your toilet, the increase in the likelihood of your septic tank having issues.
To ensure that your septic tank lasts as long as it should, everything you put into your septic tank must decompose easily. Some items you should not put into your septic tank are;
- Cigarette butts
- Disposable diapers
- Sanitary napkins
- Paper towels
- Coffee beans
- Trash
- Cat litter.
In addition to not putting certain materials into your septic tank, you should also be careful with such things as bleaches and disinfectants. This is because the presence of disinfectants and bleaches might have a negative effect on the presence of bacteria that are needed for your septic system to function. Instead of making use of disinfectants and bleaches, biodegradable and organic cleaners should be used.
Septic Tanks and Garbage Disposals
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It is okay to make use of garbage disposal with a septic tank. However, making use of garbage disposal and a septic tank is different from making use of garbage disposal and a sewer system. Unlike a sewer system that is taken care of by the city, a septic tank can be a little difficult to take care of. This is because you have to pay special attention to the things you put into it.
If you end up putting the wrong thing into a septic tank while making use of garbage disposal, over time, your septic tank will become less efficient and you might need to pay a professional to get it working properly.
Some items you should avoid putting into your garbage disposal as they will not be easily handled by a septic system are nuts, beans, oatmeal, asparagus, avocado seeds, grape skins, potato peels, fruit pits, eggshells, etc.
While the above-mentioned items will be very bad for your septic system, when you do not make use of a septic system, they can also be very bad for your garbage disposal.
The truth remains that it might not be so easy to remember everything that you are not supposed to put into your garbage disposal. Due to this, to avoid making mistakes, you might need to write down a list of these items and have them pasted around your home.
