A Review of How Septic Systems Work

A septic system is an on-site waste treatment facility comprising a septic tank and a drain field. The waste and wastewater from your home flow into your septic tank, where waste is separated into three layers: scum at the top, wastewater in the middle, and solid waste at the bottom. This allows wastewater to be transported through an outlet line leading to the drain field, where it can infiltrate the ground.

If there's a problem with your septic tank or solid waste is more than your tank can handle, Septic Blue of Raleigh recommends hiring a professional for septic tank pumping and other maintenance services. Once the wastewater leaves the tank, bacteria break down the solid waste and scum into sludge, making it easy to pump.

What Do Garbage Disposals Do?

Garbage disposals are responsible for breaking down food waste into manageable pieces, alleviating the risk of a clog in your system. There's no doubt that these appliances are vital for both commercial and residential kitchens, but things can quickly take a turn for the worst if maintenance is not regularly done. Although most people tend to over-rely on these devices, tossing everything you consider to be waste into the garbage disposal can become a significant problem.

It is advisable to watch what goes down your garbage disposal, especially food waste containing a high amount of grease and oil. The reason for this is that the waste can affect the ability of the bacteria in your septic tank to break down waste, turning your garbage disposal into a liability. Even though hot oils and fats are liquid when they go inside the garbage disposal, they harden when temperatures cool down. This is usually the primary reason for blockages in your septic system and can lead to an inefficient system that requires professional septic tank repair.