Buying your first home is a huge achievement, but it's one that comes with many new responsibilities. One task that many new homeowners overlook is septic tank maintenance. You may have never lived in a home with a septic system before, or perhaps you did but your landlord maintained it. Your septic tank is what processes water waste from your home, helping to keep your plumbing system in great working order. Here are three important ways to take care of your septic tank:

Have Your Septic Tank Professionally Pumped On a Regular Basis

Every few years- or however often your septic tank's manufacturer recommends- it's important to have your septic tank pumped. A professional septic repair company will handle this task for you, to ensure it is done correctly and to prevent you from having to deal with unsanitary materials. Having your septic tank pumped keeps it clear of debris that hasn't broken down or been processed by your plumbing system. This prevents clogs and ensures your septic system continues to work efficiently.

If you aren't sure when the previous homeowners had the septic tank pumped, it's a good idea to have this task taken care of now. The septic tank repair company will also be able to check for and identify any performance issues or necessary repairs.

Avoid Flushing Non-flushable Items

Sometimes new homeowners may have a few bad habits left from their renting days. One of those bad habits is flushing non-flushable items, such as wet wipes, cigarettes, or paper towels down the toilet instead of throwing them in the garbage.

Your septic tank can't easily process these items, and they are likely to cause major clogs and eventually lead to a backed up septic system that may be expensive to repair.

Know When to Call for Repairs

It's important to call for septic tank repairs as soon as you notice the sign of any problems. Getting your septic system repaired quickly will help prevent inconvenient and unsanitary problems, such as your septic system backing up into your basement. Common signs of septic systems in need of repair include foul odors emanating from drains, unexplained pooling water in your basement or around the area where your septic tank is buried, or wastewater that is backing up and coming up through your household drains.

Following these tips will keep your septic tank working properly and help prevent costly problems down the line, making it an important task for new homeowners. Check out a website like http://www.southernsanitarysystems.com for more information and assistance.