Taking care of a septic system is a little bit different than being hooked up to city sewer. A septic system is truly an amazing way to get rid of sewage, but it can be a more tricky to maintain a septic system than a regular sewer system. It is first important to realize that you are not hooked up to a city sewer system and that you realize that you will have to be more careful with your sewage. Here are a few different things that you should remember when you are trying to maintain your septic system:

Liquid Drain Cleaners

If you have a clogged drain one of the first things that people reach for is a liquid drain cleaner. These can be extremely effective in getting rid of a clog, but it is not the best option for someone that is on a septic system. The only way that the sewage is able to break down in a septic system is through bacteria. The bacteria live on the sewage and in return, they break down the sewage for you. If you are putting liquid drain cleaner down the pipes all of the time then you may find yourself killing off all of the bacteria. 

Garbage

You need to be careful of two different "garbage" words. First, you should know that it is not smart to use a garbage disposal when hooked up to a septic system. The food that you put down the drain is not going to break down as readily as sewage. So, if you are constantly putting food down the garbage disposal you may have major problems with your septic system. You also do not want to put any real garbage down the drain. One of the best ways to maintain a septic system is to put a garbage can by the sinks and toilets. This will keep you and others from flushing or washing down garbage into the septic system.

Find The Tank

It is important to know where the tank is so, you can actually protect the tank. A lot of pressure on top of the tank can crack or ruin a tank, and you will be left with a mess. Hire a residential plumber to locate the tank for you. Remember it will be a few feet below the lowest part of the home. Once you find the tank consider taking the necessary steps to protect the area.