There’s a lot to be said for country living. It’s peaceful and quiet, and you can enjoy the nature around you without cars, lights, and all the other distractions of city and suburban living. When nature calls, however, your property probably has a septic tank to deal with the waste. While septic tanks are generally easy to upkeep, there are some things you should know to avoid catastrophe.

That said; we’ve compiled this quick guide on how to maintain your septic tank.

Keep the water manageable

It may sound strange, but if too much water is introduced at once to the system, it could cause problems. Septic systems are only designed to handle so much, so if you empty a large amount, such as from a hot tub, you could overflow the system and cause backups. This also means runoff from rain and melting snow should be diverted away from your home’s sewer system.

Pump it out

You should pump out your system regularly. How often will depend on the size of your tank and the amount that your household uses the system, but it can range anywhere from one to five years. There may be times that you’ll want to pump it more often if there’s been an extended period of high-use or any other issues have arisen.

Keep it clear

You definitely do not want your septic system to block and to back up. It’s important to keep certain substances out of the system to keep things running smoothly. Household chemicals are a no-no, as they can negatively affect the bacteria in the tank that’s working to dissolve the solid waste.

It’s okay for the usual cleaners that you might regularly use, but avoid pouring large amounts in at once. This would include buckets of bleach or other cleaners. You should also avoid things like paper towels, disposable diapers, garbage, and cooking oils. Things that enter your home’s sewer system should only be easily dissolved material like toilet paper.

Keep the field clear

The best surface for your septic field is grass. It can safely cover the field and also allow oxygen through, which helps the breaking down process. Not only should the surface be grass, but you should also not allow any vehicles to cross the field. Too much weight can damage the system and cause major problems.

Inspect it

Once a year, you should do a complete inspection of your system to make sure it’s functioning properly. It’s usually best to have a professional perform this task. You can regularly keep a watch for some warning signs. Those include gurgling noises coming from the pipes, fixtures that drain slowly, lush spots and wet spots in the drain field, and odours anywhere that seem to come from the system. Call a professional if you notice any of these signs.

Keep a record

Make sure to keep an accurate record of everything about your system. This includes a diagram of your system, along with records of any maintenance performed on it. It will help any professional that comes to work on your system, and will help any future owners or occupiers of the home.

To some, rural living is the best living. Just remember to make sure to keep on top of your septic system so that you have no problems when nature calls.