{"id":13491,"date":"2020-08-13T06:48:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-13T06:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakehomes.com\/info\/?p=13491"},"modified":"2025-01-21T09:16:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T15:16:10","slug":"a-guide-to-septic-tanks-at-your-lake-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakehomes.com\/info\/lifestyles\/a-guide-to-septic-tanks-at-your-lake-house","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Septic Tanks at Your Lake House"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If your lake home is not on a municipal sewer plant, you\u2019re probably familiar with septic tanks. If you\u2019re new to this topic, we\u2019re here to help. Septic systems collect wastewater in domestic residences and are considered a simple\u00a0<\/span>OSSF\u00a0<\/span><\/a>(on-site sewage facility). At a lake home, septic tank upkeep is more crucial due to water contamination risks. To help you remain an informed lake homeowner, we consulted experts to answer frequent questions you may have about septic tanks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

What are the Best Types of Septic Tanks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Septic systems – EPA<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

There are two types of septic tanks — concrete and plastic. The concrete tank\u2019s durability makes it the ideal choice. Plastic tanks are the default when the installation company can\u2019t access the site with heavy concrete delivery equipment. \u201cThis can be due to trees, fences, power lines, property lines, steep lots, and landscaping,\u201d explains Jeanie Lentz of<\/span>\u00a0Lentz Wastewater<\/span><\/a>, whose company covers\u00a0<\/span>Lake Norman<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and the Piedmont region of North Carolina.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond these two categories, nine different systems exist. You can visit the\u00a0<\/span>Environmental Protection Agency<\/span><\/a>\u00a0website for full descriptions of each type of septic tank. According to\u00a0<\/span>Justin<\/span>\u00a0Edwards<\/span>, a septic tank installation contractor from Michigan, chamber systems are best for a lake house. \u201cThese are popular near rivers and lakes where excess water is common,\u201d he explains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your lake house\u2019s septic tank isn\u2019t a concrete chamber system, no need to worry. \u201cUltimately,\u201d says Jeanie Lentz, \u201cthe best type of system is a system that\u2019s installed appropriately by a licensed installer and properly maintained by the homeowner.\u201d As such, proper maintenance is more important than the type of septic tank.<\/p>\n\n\n

What Types of Clearance are Best?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo courtesy of bigboredrilling.com<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Your required clearance from a body of water depends on the state in which you\u2019re located. However, the average distance that local ordinances mandate is 50 feet from springs, lakes, or water streams and 100 feet from any public water supply. To be safe, Mitch Turner from\u00a0<\/span>Septic Masters LLC<\/span><\/a>\u00a0recommends 100 feet of clearance for lake properties. Be sure to check local regulations in your lake area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

How Often Should You Check the Tank?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Septic inspection – YouTube<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Mitch Turner advises checking your tank every three years. This can change depending on other factors, such as how many people live in the home and how often you use it. For instance, a house with a family of five members would need more regular maintenance than a household of two. Further, if you live permanently on the lake, you\u2019d need to check the septic more often than if your lake house is a vacation home.<\/p>\n

Another consideration with your septic system is proximity to the water. If you\u2019re living next to a lot of water overflow, Justin Edwards says it would be beneficial to check and empty the tank annually. \u201cIt\u2019s very important to clean septic tanks routinely. Otherwise, all the toxins will build up and kill the bacteria that is responsible for breaking down the waste in the first place,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

You may also notice other clues that tell you it\u2019s time for tank inspection. For instance, if you see wet spots, hear gurgling, or detect a bad odor, hire a professional to check your septic system.<\/p>\n\n\n

How Much do Septic Tanks Cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Depending on the type of system, the cost of septic tanks can vary greatly. On average, it\u2019s safe to assume you\u2019ll be between $400-$800 out of pocket. This spend is not much different from a residential home unless your property requires you to invest in a less conventional septic tank.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, keep in mind that this cost represents the tank itself, not including the installation process. For more insight,\u00a0<\/span>Home Advisor<\/span><\/a>\u00a0posts the national 2020 average total costs. According to this report, you can expect to pay around $6,216.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Is Septic Tank Maintenance Different at a Lake House?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo courtesy of AWWA<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

At a lake house, more is at stake. \u201cMaintaining water quality is the primary concern with any water-adjacent sanitary sewage system,\u201d says Jesse Silkoff, founder and co-president of\u00a0<\/span>MyRoofing Pal<\/span><\/a>. Lake homeowners have a responsibility to the nearby body of water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the higher call of duty, there should be no difference in your behavior at a residential home versus a lake home. For instance, in both houses, you would not pour chemicals down the drain, use the garbage disposal, or park near the septic tank. \u201cThe biggest difference would be how often you perform maintenance on it since you\u2019ll want to clean and empty lake home septic tanks more regularly,\u201d says Justin Edwards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even then, there isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all approach for septic tank maintenance at a lake home. The type and cost of maintenance depend on the topography, presence of bedrock, the height of the water table, and type of soil. For instance, a\u00a0<\/span>North Carolina lake house<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is likely more rocky and elevated than a\u00a0<\/span>Wisconsin home<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are multiple considerations when deciding on the type of system and its maintenance. Septic systems are often necessary for the lake homeowner due to the often rural locations of many lakes. Consult a local septic tank expert for personalized advice on the topic and remember to consider the septic system when buying, selling, or building your next lake home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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