Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

No matter if you have a septic system garbage disposal or one made for homes on a city sewer system, it’s important to maintain your disposal.

Routine Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

Most people use their garbage disposals on a daily basis. Routine maintenance is important to keep disposals from clogging, becoming damaged, and breaking down.

• Always run cold water while running the garbage disposal and for 20 seconds afterwards to prevent blockage
• Keep garbage disposals clean by feeding a full tray of ice cubes into the disposal while running cold water                     
• Run the disposal until food items are completely ground

Garbage Disposal Don’ts

There are certain food items that should never be put into garbage disposals. Sometimes, as hard as one tries some of these food items will make their way into the disposal anyway. When this happens it’s important to follow the safety tips listed below.

Avoid Putting These Food Items in Any Garbage Disposal

• Fruit Pits
• Banana Peels
• Artichoke Husks
• Corns Husks
• Coffee Grounds
• Any Fibrous Food Materials
• Bits of Plastic (sometimes they make their way in)

These food items, especially fibrous materials, can dull the blades of garbage disposals. Also, particles and bits of the food items can become stuck to or lodged under the blades which lead to a blockage. It’s important to read the garbage disposal manual to know exactly what can go into specific disposals.

Avoid Using These Cleaners Especially with a Septic System Garbage Disposal

• Bleach
• Harsh Cleaners
• Chemicals
• Drain Cleaners

Chemicals are known to damage the mechanisms that make up and keep the disposal running. Introducing chemicals into a septic can wreak havoc by killing off the bacteria needed to break down waste.

Periodic Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

Garbage disposals will dull and need maintenance or may even need to be replaced from time to time as is normal with all appliances. Here are some tips to extend the life of your disposal.

Keep the Disposal Blades Sharp: Run a tray of ice cubes and a cup of rock salt (optional) through the disposal every 2 weeks. This process sharpens disposal blades and is quick and easy.

Rid/Prevent Odors: Run either a lemon or orange peel through the disposal to get rid of odor. Also, run ½ a cup of baking soda through the disposal once a week to prevent odors from forming. Always make sure to run cold water during this process which will help kill and prevent odors.

Garbage Disposal Safety

Never stick your hand into the disposal regardless of whether or not it is running. Disposal blades are sharp even when they are not in motion. To clear a blockage use a pair of tongs, pliers, or a wooden spoon handle –  not your fingers.

Following these tips is not only easy but will help to extend the life of your garbage disposal. Always read your manual for additional tips to keep your brand and make of disposal running properly.

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Do Garbage Disposals and Septic Tanks Mix?

A common question among home owners with septic systems is whether or not garbage disposals and septic tanks can work with one another. There is a mixed consensus when it comes to the answer.

According to a number of experts including askthebuilder.com, you can have a garbage disposal with a septic system as long as you follow a few guidelines.

Guideline # 1 – Check the Size of Your Septic Tank

First things first, your septic must be able to handle the amount of additional particles your garbage disposal will be depositing into the tank. A garbage disposal nearly doubles the amount of particles in a home septic system.

Check with a local inspector to ensure your septic can handle a garbage disposal without needing an upgrade.

Guideline # 2 – Install a Septic System Garbage Disposal

Choose a garbage disposal that grinds all food into tiny particles. In this case, spending a little more money on a top-notch garbage disposal is the way to go.InSinkErator septic system garbage disposals are some of the best and are made for home septic systems.

Guideline # 3 – Keep up with Septic Maintenance

Have your home septic system pumped more often. Not only will your garbage disposal double the amount of particles in your tank, it will also increase the amount of grease in your septic making it needed to be pumped more often.

Guideline # 4 – Check Local and State Laws on Septic System Garbage Disposals

Check your local laws to make sure you can legally have a garbage disposal if you are on a home septic system in your area.

Guideline # 5 – Make Sure Your Plumbing is Running Properly

Make sure your plumbing is working properly before installing a garbage disposal. If you routinely experience slow or blocked plumbing, a garbage disposal will only make things worse. Clear any blockages and make sure your septic is functioning properly.

For a list of garbage disposals that are especially made to run in conjunction with home septic systems click here.

It’s important that you follow these guidelines before installing a septic system garbage disposal.  Taking the time to make sure your septic can handle a garbage disposal will save you lots of time and money in the long run.

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