Posts

Showing posts from April, 2022

Things to Avoid Putting in Your Garbage Disposal

Image
Using your garbage disposal for the wrong things may be damaging to your septic tank! Putting spoiled or moldy food down your garbage disposal may seem like quick and easy way to get of rid of old leftovers, but doing so excessively may disrupt the microbial ecosystem that's so crucial to the proper function of your septic tank. By avoiding the most damaging categories of food items, you can preserve and elongate the life of your septic system. These categories include:    Hard, Woody Food Items This category includes items like: Peanuts, walnuts, and other hard seeds and nuts Peach or plum pits Popsicle or corndog sticks and other food skewers Hard, woody food items oftentimes cannot be broken down enough and can lead to clogged drains and  grease traps . Any hard and woody waste should be placed in the garbage.  Sticky or Sludgy Substances Sticky and sludgy substances like coffee grounds, grease, oil, fat, and some syrups can coat the walls of the pipework to your septic system a

Septic System 101: Caring for a Septic System in Boise, Idaho

Image
Given the housing market lately, you may unexpectedly find yourself with a  home that has a septic system . As a new homeowner, if a septic system isn't something you've ever considered, caring for and maintaining it may feel overwhelming; however, practically speaking, living with a septic system is not too different from being connected to the city sewage system. Here are some basic things to know as you learn to manage your septic system:  How Does a Septic System Work? A septic system is basically a giant tank that collects wastewater from your home. Some waste--called scum--floats to the top of the wastewater, and some waste--called sludge--settles to the bottom. The water in between these two layers passes through a grease trap designed to catch debris and is then allowed to seep back into the ground, which allows you to go 2-5 years before having to get your tank  pumped . The area in your yard where this water seeps back in is called the leach field. The naturally occur