There is no set amount of time that it takes for a septic tank to fill up and require pumping. This is because there are a wide variety of factors that can influence how often your tank needs to be pumped. The good news is, you can take action to reduce how often you require septic tank pumping. Continue reading below to discover three of your personal habits that you can change to slow down how quickly your septic tank fills up.

#1: Limit Your Use Of Antibacterial Soaps And Cleansers

If you frequently use antibacterial soaps and cleansers in your home, you could be causing your septic tank to fill up faster. This is because the same products that you use to kill germs in your house and on your body will also kill some of the bacteria inside your septic tank. This is a problem because your septic system relies on bacteria to break down solid waste. If the bacteria levels inside your septic tank drop too low, your tank will begin taking in solid waste at a much faster rate than it can break it down. Limiting your use of antibacterial products can help you to avoid this issue. If you must continue using these products in high volumes, you will want to strongly consider the use of a bacterial additive to keep the bacterial levels inside your tank at optimal levels. 

#2: Stop Flushing Baby Wipes And Feminine Products

Not all items that can physically be flushed down the toilet are septic-safe. Items such as baby wipes and feminine products will end up sitting inside your septic tank until it is pumped because these items take a long time to break down. If you are flushing these items on a regular basis, you can be sure that your septic tank will need frequent pumping. Another good example of items that you should avoid flushing is cigarette butts. Simply putting these items in the trash rather than down the drain can save you a ton of money on frequent pumping fees. 

#3: Turn Off Your Water When It Is Not Actively Being Used

It is quite common for people to forget about their water usage when they are using a private water supply since they are not receiving a bill for their water consumption each month. However, while you may not get stuck paying a high water bill just because you left your water running while you brush your teeth or wash your dishes, you could end up spending more on septic system pumping as a result of this excess water use. This is because the more water that goes down your drain, the more water your septic system will need to process. This can lead to your tank filling up rather quickly if you are using more water each day than your tank can process. 

For more information, contact a company like Bosley Drain & Septic.