If you just moved into a house with a septic tank, there are a few things that you need to know to ensure that you take good care of your septic tank.

Spread Out When You Use Water

Your septic tank is designed to hold a certain amount of water at a time. It then filters this water, releasing the water and breaking down the waste in the water. When you have a septic tank, you don't want to be running your dishwasher and washing machine, taking a shower, and doing dishes in the sink at the same time. Try to spread out your water activities so that they are not taking place all at the same time, which will flood your tank with more water than it can process in a timely manner.

Run your dishwasher when you leave the house for work or school. Run laundry loads in the evening when you go to bed for the night. Spread out your shower and bath times. Don't do all your water-related activities at once.

Limit What You Put Down Your Drains

Now that you live in a house with a septic tank, you want to be careful what you put down your drains. If you put down a lot of harsh chemicals, usually from cleaning products, down your drain, you will disrupt the ecosystem within your septic tank and prevent your tank from being able to break down the waste that comes its way.

There are lots of things that your septic tank cannot easily break down. For example, your septic tank has a hard time breaking down most paper products, including napkins and paper towels. Your septic tank also has a hard time breaking down food products, from grease to vegetables.

Be careful about what you put down your drains when you have a septic tank in order to preserve the balance in your septic tank.

Know When to Get the Tank Pumped

Septic tanks need to be pumped. Pumping a septic tank removes all the sludge that builds up inside of your septic tank that your septic tank is not able to break down into smaller parts.

How often your home's septic tank needs to be pumped depends upon the size of your septic tank, how many people live in your home, and how many people are generally over at your home, and how much waste you create. A professional septic tank company, based on knowing the size of your tank and information that you provide, can let you know the interval you should get your septic tank cleaned. This can vary greatly based upon individual circumstances.  

If you just moved into a home with a septic tank, make sure to spread out your water usage, limit what you put down your drains, and learn when your tank should be pumped. Check out websites like http://www.sosseptic.net to learn more.