Approximately twenty-seven million American homes rely upon a septic system for waste disposal and sanitation, and about seventy-eight percent of those homeowners have chosen not to install a garbage disposal. There are conflicting reports regarding the safety of garbage disposal use for septic systems.
The Federal Housing Authority has actually determined that garbage disposals are effective and safe when they’re used with a septic system that’s properly sized and regularly maintained. Springing for a top of the line disposal that grinds food waste into very small particles is also wise, as they’re easier for your septic system to digest.
Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, part of routine septic system maintenance is regular septic tank pumping. A family of four with a one thousand-gallon septic tank will usually need to have the tank pumped after three to five years of use, but that figure will typically be decreased by the introduction of a garbage disposal because it will generate more solid waste material.
If you choose to install a garbage disposal, an experienced sewer and septic professional can help you choose the proper model of disposal for your home and system, as well as advising you on how to make the best use of the equipment without damaging your septic system. You may be able to save a bit of money initially by purchasing a disposal system at a home improvement store and installing it yourself, but it could eventually cost a small fortune in repair bills if it’s not handled correctly. Working with a septic system professional on your garbage disposal installation is an investment that will definitely pay off in the long run.
