Garbage disposal/ septic question

[Western]

In the past I have always been told not to use/have a garbage disposal when using a septic system. The reasoning was the waste would not break down well and would/could clog the system.

Now day's I know several folks that have them and say they haven't had any problems. Most of them bought their house with these pre existing.

Any thoughts? I have a 1000 gal system, we use sink strainers currently but was wondering if the newer technology in disposals would warrant another look?

 

[dawzie]

Hi, I'm a septic company owner. According to code in NY, if you are considering a disposal, you are supposed to up the tank to next bigger.

But, from what we see, it doesn't help.
Using a "good" septic additive and getting the tank cleaned is the best thing to do.

"When should I clean my tank?"
That all depends on what and how much is being dumped into it.

Lets say you have a thousand gallon tank, two adults, two kids, no sink grinder, no water conditioner, no town water, yes you have a washer machine. Pumping the tank every five years is good maintaince. It's like changing the oil in your car when you're supposed to.

If you have a water conditioner that uses salt or clorine, the regeneration water is NOT supposed to go into the septic. Salt eats concrete!!! It also hinders the bacteria growth in the tank and also causes the solids to stay suspended in the water. Now that "dirty" water is going to your feild. Someday it will cause problems out there. I know that the water conditioner "man" will tell you different, but I know what I see.

and clorine is there to do what?? kill bacteria, it does it in your septic system too. Using lots of bleach in your laundry?? Got a clean freak in your house who disinfects everything then dumps the water down the drain? Flushing them old drugs down the toilet??

Lets get them tanks cleaned every year or two.

"I haven't cleaned my tank in twenty years"!!!

I know, and good for you. Your neighbor didn't either, cost him $18,000 !!! for a new leachfeild that had to be built to todays standards too. !!

I expect my comments to generate many questions, so ask away.

Dawes Septic & Repair
since 1952

 

[rgood]

I agree with Dawzie - We have have a garbage diposal and a septic - We use the disposal to get rid of junk that accidentally gets in the sink - Some green beans etc - But you are better off to get a few chickens and give the cucumber peels etc to them

 

[CAB/AIR5225]

Its just me and the wife at home now. 8 year old house. We use Ridex every now and then.(every 2 or 3 months). We do not have a garbage disposal. We are on Rural water system that is kinda hard. Leaves calcium deposits on the faucet screens and whatnot. What kind of favoralble practices can you advise?

 

[DANOCHEESE]

dawzie you make sense. I have rural water ( city water) and a septic. The chlorine has to be killing the bugs. I also soften the water. Should I throw a dead chicken int he tank to get her going???

I have her ona three year pump out.

 

[claridon]

Just me and the wife here.
We do have a disposal in the sink but use it very seldom. I really don't like them.
We have our tank pumped every other year. I also switch leech fields at the same time. We have a distribution box that allows me to do this.
I've got my softener dumping the recharge water into the footer drain that goes out to the field behind the house. I also separated the washing machine water from the septic system and it goes into the field also.
I'm trying to be careful about how we use our system because the septic system regulations have recently changed around here and a replacement system would cost me $22,000-$25,000. Ouch!
-Len

 

[2manyrocks]

IMHO, in sink garbage disposals were invented by plumbers to get repeat business.

 

[dawzie]

Its just me and the wife at home now. 8 year old house. We use Ridex every now and then.(every 2 or 3 months). We do not have a garbage disposal. We are on Rural water system that is kinda hard. Leaves calcium deposits on the faucet screens and whatnot. What kind of favoralble practices can you advise?[/QUOTE]

You should be due for a cleaning. Most tanks have one opening over the pipe coming in and another, bigger (20") one to pump out from. Take notice to how thick the crust on top is. When the guy, or gal, is pumping, see if they are skimming off from the top down, There should be a very "water" type waste under the crust. Once you get near the bottom, it should turn thick and black.(sludge) It should all be pumped out. An inch or two left on the bottom is normal. On most jobs I have to back flush from the truck (reverse flow baby) one time in order to loosen up that sludge, then suck it back out again.

The thicker the crust is on top, is a indication of poor bacteria in the tank. The sludge on the bottom is the bi-product of the bacteria doing its job.

Here in NY, tanks are supposed to have a min. of 48" of liguid storage height. So if your tank has 6" crust layer and 6" of sludge on the bottom, you are down 25% working capacity of the tank.

Using Rid-X (available at Lowes around here) according to directions is recommended. There are alot good products out there. There are some black colored saw dust stuff also.

 

[Bird]

Many years ago, we used our in sink disposal unit a great deal in town. It only caused a stopped up drain once. But after 6 year full time RVing and 8 years in the country with a septic system; no garbage disposal unit for 14 years, we're now back in town, have an in sink disposal unit and seldom use it. No way I'd use one with a septic system myself.

 

[dawzie]

dawzie you make sense. Should I throw a dead chicken int he tank to get her going???

I have her ona three year pump out.

Ummmmm, no lol PITI would love ya for that. Septic additive as per directions. Three year pump out is good. A good pumper person should be asking you questions like, how long has it been ??, how many people living here?, do you have a water softner?, does it regenerate into the septic?, does the washer machine go into the septic??

When they are done pumping, ask them questions, when should I get it pumped again?? what do you base that on?? should I be doing something?? Will you send me a reminder next time it needs pumping??

Look in the yellow pages, call 3 or 4 guys, big ads to little ads. Beware of the guys that ask if you are having a problem!!. If that is the first question they ask, more than likely they will be the lowest quote price to pump. But hang on to your wallet once they get there. Also make sure there are no hidden fees, 2nd man on the truck, extra hose charge, back flush charge disposal fees, fuel surcharge and milage.