Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Disposal Smell

I have one of the new disposals designed for septic tanks and just recently it has started to smell. I am currently deployed, so I am trying to troubleshoot for the wife from afar. Any ideas or suggestions that I might do. It is only 8 months old and our house is only 2yrs old, so it should not be smelling, atleast that is what I think. However; my boss always tells me not to think and just work. Ha! Ha!

v/r
gadawg31

First off, thank you...

Now, what kind of smell is it? Is the disposer the one that adds a chemical down the drain each time the disposer is used? Is there a trap under the sink?

I just found this on In-Sink-Erator's web site about odor coming from disposer.


http://www.insinkerator.com/service/trouble/dispose.html

Thank you for your service.

WHen ours begins to smell we just throw a lemon in it and grind it up.

FWIW, I would try to avoid using it as much as possible on a septic system. You're just asking for trouble. Its not hard to compost your kitchen trash.

I agree with "dhamblet" a lemon or a half an orange run through the disposal does wonders for the smell even on ones that arent on septic systems. The other problem can be food build up in the "p" trap which should normally just hold water but after a while food can build up and you begin to smell it rotting. The lemon can help that and if not and you think your wife can easily loosen the fittings and take the trap out so it can be thoroughly cleaned, that may help also. Just remind her not to turn on the sink or disposal while she has the trap out!!!! LOL You gotta know I learned that one the hard way.
Richard

1) easier solution -- is it possible some stringy fibrous vegetable (like --artichoke , asparagus, okra etc-- is stuck under the rotating cutting vanes of the garbage disposal -- once this fibrous matter starts to rot it sets up a terrible stink. the cure is - cut off power to the g garbage disposal, shine a lite in and poke and pry around the underside of the vanes to see if you can dislodge any fibrous matter. if you can -- then turn the power back on and run water and baking soda through a few times


2) very obscure problem: i have seen a (totally illegal - non code. ) garbage disposal set up where the outlet water from the dishwasher went direct into a copper pipe stub with no P trap . this install allowed sewer gas to come up into the dishwasher (--which door unit is not air tight.) (People thought it was the garbage disposal/sink giving off the smell...) is your garbage disposal exit line properly equipped with a P trap to avoid sewer gas coming in ?

Disposals are usually not recommended for septic systems. The In-Sink-Erator model for septic is highly touted to be effective. Follow manufacturer's instructions to achieve bio-discharge. The bio-discharge system discharges enzymes as you grind to expedite the decomposition. To keep the unit fresh, you need to change the bio-discharge unit per manufacturer's instructions. Need to do so may vary dependent upon usage.
If you are having problems or need to re-order the bio-discharge unit, refer to this site,
InSinkErator - Garbage Disposers, Garbage Disposals, Instant Hot Water Dispensers (http://www.insinkerator.com/disposers/septicqa.shtml)
In the meantime, run some citrus peels or baking soda into the unit. Simply turning on hot water and adding a squirt of dish washing liquid after grinding will eliminate odor and bacteria problems. Most folks make the mistake of not running the unit long enough to cleanse and discharge all waste.

It is common knowledge that stringy veggies can be a problem in disposals, corn husks, etc. Avoid stringy veggies. But, run the unit long enough to grind on veggies and properly rinse the unit and turn on the hot water and give a squirt of dish washing liquid to keep the unit clean as it rinses. If odor tends to be a problem after following the cleaning schedule, add the citrus peels. It is not a good idea to dump bleach into a septic system because it will destroy the good enzymes that are required to keep the good bacteria for digestion in balance.
(http://www.insinkerator.com/product/product.php?id=205&template=hhd)