If you have a septic system, your kitchen sink is the most dangerous drain in your house. It is the primary entry point for the three substances that cause the most damage to your plumbing and your drain field: coffee grounds, eggshells, and cooking grease.
The Short Answer: Coffee grounds, eggshells, and grease do not break down in the tank. They accumulate, rapidly filling the tank and eventually destroying the drain field.
Enemy #1: Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are incredibly dense and do not biodegrade in a water-filled environment. They sink to the bottom and permanently add to the sludge layer. The Fix: tap them into the trash or compost.
Enemy #2: Eggshells
Eggshells grind into fine grit that sinks to the bottom of the tank. The sticky membrane can also clog pipes. The Fix: throw in the trash or compost.
Enemy #3: Cooking Grease
Hot grease solidifies in pipes and floats to the top of the tank as scum. If the scum layer gets too thick, it enters the drain field and permanently clogs the soil. The Fix: wipe pans out before washing; pour liquid grease into a jar and throw in the trash.
The Bottom Line
Protecting your septic system starts at the kitchen sink. Use a monthly natural bacterial treatment to keep the ecosystem in your tank healthy.
