need advice updated questions.

[WingingIt]

Personally, I picked a filter for the food pieces instead of the grinder because I didn't want the food pieces in our system/grease trap in case they threw off the balance of bacteria that's working in there. Plus, like you said, it would be one more thing that might break, and with our luck, it would.

It might be just fine having it feed into your tank, though. I didn't ask anyone, just made the decision because of that.

It sounds like you are right in that you need a bigger leach field. Are they going to leave your current lines in place and hooked up? We left ours because, while they weren't working at capacity (over 30 years old, tree roots had invaded, etc), they were taking some water away, so we figured more lines were better. We knocked a new hole and put in a new pipe and trap (not sure if that's the right word, the part that curves upside down to keep solids out of your lines) and ran the new lines out the opposite side towards an open area so the sun could help with the added moisture. Of course, we're outside city limits, too, so we could do it however we wanted, pretty much. Gotta love that!

 

[Mattemma]

We have a septic system.Newer one with a above ground sand pit in a concrete enclosure. We have an old dishwasher and don't use it. I would limit use when the water table outside is high.Right now our snow melted and it is a flooded yard.During heavy rains I would limit use.Just like spreading out the washing and the bathroom showers/baths.

Check out recalls. I know some dishwashers have caught on fire!

 

[rancher hicks]

I can't say who put our sceptic system in so that might be an reason for the problems. the house was vacant but remodeled and the tank is new. It just might have been put in wrong. Too we have more bedrooms than the leach field allows for according to the sceptic guys. We've had two or three look at the problem.

One thing I see that may be a problem in the line directly from the tank is at a diagonal, not straight from the tank like I've seen on the web.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Mak]

We have a Whirlpool dishwasher. Never had a problem with any dishwasher and the septic in the almost 25 years we've lived here. Watch adding phosphates to your water if you have really hard water. Causes grey cloudy staining on glassware. I use a splash of CLR in each dishwasher load which helps, but we still need to soak and clean glassware once a year to keep it sparkling. We soak in CLR.

I love my Whirlpool, but it does have the grinder thing and that's the one thing I would change. That is the only part that has ever died on us and we have had the dishwasher for years. PITA to replace, too!

 

[Judy]

I have a DW and a septic which is too LARGE for the number of people who live here. Mine has a filter instead of a grinder -- would never want a grinder -- I want control over what goes down the drain. Septic people tell me never use powder detergent, DW or washing machine, and keep grease to a minimum.

Really, if you want one, get one, medium priced, at least 3 levels of sprayers. I never had a problem with the plastic interiors, but then I've never had a stainless one. I agree on being sure you can turn off the dry cycle. Open the door when it is through washing and they will dry faster than the element will dry them! I don't think water usage is very different between a DW and hand washing.

Mine is a Whirlpool, 2 or 3 years old, a cheap model, only 2 levels of sprayers, came with the house, does a great job and I don't rinse dishes first. Actually I run it only every 2 or 3 days so the food residue is dried on the plates when I do, but they come clean anyway. And I eat overeasy eggs almost daily. I use those Dawn gelpacs or whatever they call them -- grab one, drop in DW, no hassle.

I feel for you with your drainage problems. Unfortunately I don't think a DW will affect them one way or the other. Too bad you can't do grey water.