If you have a septic tank, you should known as much as possible about how to operate it effectively and keep it safe. Here are a few things that many people don't know about septic system usage and maintenance.

#1 Chemicals Hurt Your Septic Tank

Any chemicals that go into your septic tank can actually harm it. The chemicals you use to clean your sink, toilet and shower can actually harm your septic tank, as can any chemicals that you specifically add to your septic tank to take care of it. 

Inside of your septic tank, there are a host of bacteria. These bacteria are essential to the performance of your septic tank. There job is to break down all the waste that goes into your septic tank. Chemicals kill these bacteria and result in an imbalance in your septic tank system, where the waste is not getting broken down at the proper level.

#2 Septic Tank Should Be Emptied All The Way

Second, your septic tanks should never be completely empty. Even when you get your septic tank pumped, a little waste should be left in it. Septic tanks have a minimum level of waste that they need to have in them at all times in order to operate effectively. If you don't have enough waste in your septic tank, the right amount of bacteria balance may not exist and the waste may not filter at properly. So when you get your tank pumped, it should not be pumped until it is bone-dry; the minimum levels necessary for proper tank activities should be maintained.

#3 Skip Out On A Garbage Disposal

You should strive to keep all food waste out of your septic tank. Food waste does not break down properly inside of septic tanks, which can lead to your septic tank getting clogged or filled faster than it should because the bacteria in your septic tank is not designed to break down food. You should scrap off and put all food scraps possible into the trash or compost, not down your sink, which is why it can be a good idea to skip out on a garbage disposal. When you have a garbage disposal installed, it gives you the idea that small food waste is okay to send to your septic tank, when in reality no food waste should be sent to your septic tank. 

Keep chemicals and food waste out of your septic tank, and when you have your septic tank pumped, make sure that you maintain minimum operating levels.