If you own a lakeside cottage, it is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. To protect your city escape, there are many tasks you can do to maintain and preserve the property and your investment. However, septic system maintenance for cottages is one task that is easy to overlook. To keep your tranquil property safe, it’s important not to neglect your septic tank system.
Your septic system is an integral part of keeping your lakeside cabin running smoothly, yet many homeowners don’t have enough knowledge about the regular maintenance requirements.
Why Is Septic System Maintenance Important for Cottages?
Septic systems are often forgotten, which can lead to a variety of issues down the road. A failing septic system poses a serious risk to not only your cottage but also to the environment around it. Your septic system could potentially contaminate surrounding bodies of water and cause health risks to human and animal life around.
Septic System Warning Signs
Check periodically for these signs of a struggling system and call a specialist right away if you spot any.
Some telltale signs of a failing septic system can include:
- Bad or foul-smelling odours
- Water and sewage from toilets, drains and sinks backing up
- Bathtubs, sinks, showers draining very slowly
- Gurgling sounds throughout the plumbing system
- Standing water or “damp” spots near the septic tank system or drainfield
- Bright green, lush grass over the septic tank or drainfield even during dry weather
If you’re noticing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to act quickly. Contacting a full-service, licensed septic tank specialist is the best option to diagnose, treat and repair any septic tank issues.
Proper Care For Lakeside Cottage Septic Tank Systems
To prevent clogging and other septic tank issues, a septic tank should be pumped every two to three years by a certified septic tank specialist, according to the Ontario Association for Sewage Industry Services.
Pump Inspections
You should conduct a septic tank inspection every two to five years. Both of these septic tank maintenance tasks (pumping, inspecting) are also dependent on the usage and size of your septic tank. Since septic tank pumping removes built-up sludge and scum layers, if it is left unattended for an extended period, it can damage the drainfield or overflow.
Pumping Frequency
How often you need to pump can be influenced by:
- The size of your septic tank
- How many people reside in your lakeside cabin at a time
- The amount of wastewater generated
- If there is a garbage disposal present (the increased solids will require more pumping)
Regulated maintenance has many benefits for both your septic system and your finances. Creating and implementing a septic system maintenance program will help prolong the life of your system, minimize any significant issues, and proactively treat problems before they become costly, time-consuming repairs or replacements.
Septic Safe Habits | Tips For Proper Usage And Septic Tank Care
In combination with regular pumping and inspections, how you use your septic system on a daily matters. Proper care and use of your septic system can impact its lifespan and function greatly.
Not everything is “Flushable”
It’s absolutely crucial not to flush anything down that is not human waste or toilet paper. Flushing other items can cause expensive clogs and affect other parts of the system.
Do not flush the following items:
- Cooking grease or oil
- Any “flushable” or non-flushable wipes (even if they say flushable, it’s best to simply throw them away in a trash can.)
- Feminine hygiene products
- Paper towels
- Condoms
- Dental floss
- Diapers
- Cigarette butts
- Pharmaceuticals
Think at the sink
Your septic system contains a collection of living organisms that digest and treat household waste. If you were to pour chemicals or even cooking oil down the drain, it can harm and kill these organisms, which will throw off your septic system.
No matter if you are at the kitchen sink, bathroom sink or utility sink, consider the following before pouring anything down the drain:
- Avoid chemical drain cleaners for clogged drains. Instead, try using boiling water or a drain snake as an alternative
- Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain
- Never pour oil-based paints, solvents or large amounts of cleaning chemicals down the drain
- Limit the number of times you use your garbage disposal; this will significantly reduce the amount of fats, grease and solids that enter your septic tank
Lake Cottage Septic Maintenance Checklist
Professional Maintenance
- Pump tank every 2 -3 years
- Inspect system every 2 -5 years
- Frequency depends on: tank size, # of users, wastewater volume, garbage disposal use
Never Flush
- Grease/oil
- Wipes (even “flushable”)
- Feminine hygiene products
- Paper towels
- Condoms
- Dental floss
- Diapers
- Cigarette butts
- Pharmaceuticals
Drain Habits
- No chemical drain cleaners – use boiling water or a snake
- No grease, oil, paints, solvents, or chemicals down drains
- Limit garbage disposal use
Warning Signs
- Foul odours
- Backups in toilets/drains/sinks
- Slow drains
- Gurgling pipes
- Standing water/damp spots near tank
- Unusually green grass over tank/drain field
Quick Reference:
| Maintenance Task | Recommended Frequency | Why It Matters |
| Septic Tank Pumping | Every 2–3 years | Removes built-up sludge and helps prevent backups and drainfield damage. |
| Septic System Inspection | Every 2–5 years | Helps identify leaks, damage, or other problems before they become costly repairs. |
The Canadian Sanitation Solution
When it comes to the well-being of your septic tank and system, many service companies can treat part of your septic system. But there is only one full-service septic tank company capable of providing all your septic tank needs, and that’s Canadian Sanitation.
We are committed to keeping your lakeside cottage septic system running as efficiently and optimally as possible. Our team of licenced professionals deliver high-quality, professional service while also helping ensure you understand your system better.
Contact Canadian Sanitation today, and let us take care of your septic system, so you can focus on creating those unforgettable memories by the lake.
FAQs
Do I need to do anything special to prepare my septic system before closing up the cottage for the winter?
Ontario’s climate brings risk to septic systems. Common issues include freezing in winter and flooding in the spring. A few steps to take before closing up for the summer season include: Have the system inspected if it’s overdue, insulate exposed pipes, avoid driving or parking heavy equipment (e.g., a plow) over the tank or drainfield, and put RV antifreeze in every toilet trap in the cottage.
Is it safe to open a cottage and use the septic system right away in spring, or should it be inspected first?
Definitely inspect your septic system in the spring when you’re opening up your cottage. The ground is thawed, and you can catch winter damage early. Spring checkups help prevent septic backups and odours.
Is a failing system always a full replacement, or can it be repaired?
While septic systems can last 20-30 years, sometimes they can’t be repaired and must be replaced. A septic system in Ontario may require repairs or a replacement when it exhibits signs of failure, like sewage backing, pooling water in the drain field, or unusually lush grass over the drain field.
What should I do if I notice a problem with my septic system while at the cottage, away from year-round services?
As a cottage owner, you may not be on-site full-time and septic issues can happen anytime of the year. For a suspected septic tank failure, we are available 24/7, 365 days a year. You can also check out our Emergency Septic Tank Services page to answer questions or call us.
Does the septic system condition matter when buying or selling a lakeside property?
Yes. The septic system should be in good condition whether you’re selling your lakeside property or buying one. If you purchase a cottage with a failing septic system, you could be adding a pricey bill to your budget to get it fixed or replaced.
Getting a professional septic system inspection is a wise choice when buying or selling a property.
