Septic tank maintenance is critical to avoiding spills and other disasters, as well as to reduce the amount of maintenance and repairs overall. Here are some keys to excellent septic tank maintenance. 

Watch What You Flush

The first thing to consider is to make sure that only the essentials are going into your septic tank, such as human waste and used water. Many septic tank contractors will advise you not even to have a garbage disposal in your home if you use a septic tank; while food waste will disintegrate over time, it can place a larger burden on your tank and cause it to fill much faster.

Watch What You Use

It can also be helpful to spread out your home water use in order to maintain a reasonable load on your septic tank. When a lot of water goes into your septic tank at once, it can interrupt the scum layer in the tank and cause loose sediment to get stirred up. This sediment can then travel back up into your pipes and cause them to clog. When possible, spread out your water-heavy tasks such as washing the dishes and doing a load of laundry. 

Keep Your Drain Field Clear

Another thing to be mindful of is your septic tank's drain field, which contains the small pipes that lead to and from your septic tank. It's important to make sure there are no road blocks to keep the drain field from operating correctly. Be sure that the area is kept free of debris and that no rooted plants are growing into the drainfield. Also keep the area clear of any major obstructions, such as heavy automobiles or yard equipment. 

Get the Tank Pumped Throughly

Not all methods of septic tank pumping are created equal. Hydrovac systems work well for septic tank pumping. These heavy-duty industrial suction systems can pick up the heavier sediment at the bottom of your septic tank. While a routine maintenance team may empty the liquid out of the septic tank, it takes a strong machine such as a hydrovac to get down to the heavier materials. Over time, these materials can build up in the tank and leave less room until the septic tank is full, meaning that you have to get the tank emptied more frequently. 

In short, there are many things that you can do to protect the life of your septic tank. With just a bit or precaution and regular maintenance, you can help avoid the issue of a broken tank.