Septic systems are sturdy and reliable and should last you a few decades if properly taken care of. But proper maintenance is more than just making sure your tank is emptied once it starts getting a little too full. Though your septic system doesn't have many components, they're all absolutely vital to the functionality of the entire system. Here are three ways you should take active care of your septic system.

Keep Your Drain Field Clear

Every septic tank has a drain field, which is a series of pipes that stretches out horizontally under the dirt away from the tank. This is designed to take any excess liquids and let them be absorbed into the nearby soil; this saves you plenty of time, as otherwise your tank would fill up with liquid very quickly. When it comes to water alone, the average US household uses between 80 and 100 gallons. At that rate, you'd be emptying your tank every week with a typical residential tank.

Because of this, it's very important to keep your drain field in good shape. One way to do this is by keeping the ground above it clear. If any plants are growing there, their roots can stretch down into the pipes and either damage them or clog them, preventing them from letting excess water drain from your tank. Also try to avoid driving over the area or letting any vehicles park there, as the weight can damage the pipes. Many drain fields are only 18 to 36 inches below the ground, so the weight from a vehicle can damage them.

Don't Wait On Pumping

Septic tank cleaning and pumping can get expensive, so it may be tempting to wait until it fills up completely before calling a pumping service. But it's important to get your tank pumped more regularly, and not just to avoid the temporary inconvenience of non-working drains.

If a tank gets too full, there's a chance that some of the heavier waste that should stay at the bottom will be pushed into the drain field. With nowhere else to go, waste can be pushed into the drain field pipes—and unlike liquids, solid waste does not get absorbed into the soil. This can render your drain field almost completely useless. While many septic tanks are designed with multiple chambers to try to avoid this, it's a good idea to get your tank pumped on a semi-regular basis to decrease the risk of this happening.

With that in mind, how often you call for service depends on your household. If you only have one or two people living in your household and you don't send much of anything down the drains, you can probably get away with getting your tank pumped every five to seven years. If you're in a much more populated household with more active use, you might want to shoot for every two to three years. When in doubt, a septic pumping company can give you a recommendation based on your situation.

Watch What You Drain

There are many things you should try to avoid putting down your drains whenever possible, and for multiple reasons.

First, avoid flushing or draining any large solids apart from waste and toilet paper. Other paper products and sanitary products aren't designed to dissolve the same way toilet paper and other materials are, and they can easily clog your system—in some cases, before they even reach the tank.

Second, don't flush any harsh or hazardous chemicals, such as those used for cleaning, into your tank. These chemicals kill off the bacteria responsible for the dissolving process of waste and paper products, but they can also get into the drain field and contaminate the soil.

Third, avoid greases and oils whenever possible. These also do not break down, and if they get into your drain field, you run the risk that the drain field pipes will become clogged with grease and oil scum. This is very difficult to clean out, and often requires an entirely new installation of a drain field.