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The easiest thing you can do to prolong the life of your septic system is to adopt septic-safe practices. This includes not flushing non-biodegradable items, chemicals, or excessive grease down drains and scheduling regular septic tank pumping to prevent buildup. It’s also important to fix plumbing leaks promptly and to practice water conservation to avoid overloading the system. To maintain your drain field, avoid heavy vehicle traffic and plant shallow-rooted vegetation in the area. Most importantly, invest in routine inspections and maintenance to detect and address issues early.

A gurgling toilet usually doesn’t mean that your septic tank is full. If waste can’t drain into a full septic tank, you’ll see water and sewage backing up into your fixtures, but the air that causes gurgling is a result of poor venting. You are more likely to have a clog in your vent stack or a damaged air admittance valve.

Certain foods are easier on your septic tank than others. Septic-safe foods include yogurt, fruit, cooked veggies, and bread because these items all break down relatively easily and can pass through your system safely. Rotten tomatoes, specifically, are actually good for your septic tank because they can increase the amount of good bacteria in the system. 

For the most part, choosing between 30/50 psi and 40/60 psi is based on your water-pressure preference. However, it can also depend a little bit on your house—if you have older plumbing, a lower water pressure can be easier on the pipes (and a bit more gentle on your well pump). 

The lower 30/50 pressure is usually enough for a single-story home, but you may want 40/60 if you have multiple stories, as the extra pressure helps water flow smoothly up to the second floor.