There is nothing worse than having a major septic system problem in your home. Septic problems can be hard and expensive to fix. The good news is that, most of the time, septic problems can be prevented with just a little bit of maintenance. If you treat your septic system properly then it will continue to function properly for a very long time. While it is not very hard to maintain your septic system, it does take a little bit of dedication. Here are just a few different ways that you can keep your septic system running properly.

Know The Location Of The Tank And Drain Field

A common problem that is noticed by plumbers is that the homeowner does not even know where the septic tank or drain field are actually located. The septic tank is going to be lower than the lowest point of the home, and can either be in the yard or under the home. The drain field is usually a a little way off toward the edge of the property. Have a plumber come and mark these out for you. The reason that this is so important is so you do not accidentally park or dig in the area. If you put too much pressure on these areas it can do damage to the tank, or even block the drain field. 

Careful What You Flush Or Wash

It is also very important that you are conscious of what you put down the sink or toilet. Never flush or drain anything that is not biodegradable. These materials will get stuck in your drain and cause the septic system to get backed up. Be very careful how much you use the garbage disposal, the more you put food down your septic system, the more likely it is to get backed up. The bacteria that break down the sewage have a hard time breaking down food. You also do not want to use liquid drain cleaners. These liquid drain cleaners are very basic, pH approximately 11, and will kill the bacteria.

Pump Your Tank

No matter how well you have taken care of your tank, it is wise to have your tank pumped at least every other year. This will just ensure that your septic system and septic tank are not backed up. This is a very simple strategy to keep your septic system working properly, but by doing these steps you may save a lot of money in the long run.