Many people have relied upon outhouses at their cabins for decades. It’s all been part of the “roughing it” cabin experience. Maybe it’s about aging or too many midnight trips outside, but eventually, many cabin owners end up upgrading their cabin to a septic system.

If you’ve made the decision to add a septic system to your cabin or if you’re finally building on the bare land or hunting land you bought years ago, there are some things to think about regarding your septic installation. Now’s the time to make decisions that you’ll live with for the next couple of decades, so make sure you’re thinking about the details ahead of you.

How do you choose your septic’s location?

When choosing a location for your septic system’s installation, it’s about more than proximity to your cabin. You have to think about layout of your property, proximity to lakes and other bodies of water, and where you can dig deep enough for a proper installation (most septic systems need to be installed 8 feet into the ground). You also have to research local or municipal zoning standards to see what requirements are in place. And be thinking about the other components of your system beyond the tank — like the drain field and where that will be in relation to your property and how it gets used.

it’s important that you think like water. Think about how water will naturally flow. If possible, choose a low elevation area so that water can leave the septic and enter the drain field with the help of gravity instead of pumps.

What size tank should you install?

Generally speaking, the smallest septic tank you’d ever want to install holds 1,000 gallons. That’s a good size for a house that has 1 – 3 bedrooms. Experts recommend that you add 250 gallons to your septic size with every additional bedroom over 3. This method of deciding is certainly not a perfect science, as certain variables change the dynamics at work, but it seeks to arrive at the demand you’ll be placing on your system. Too small of a system will lead to too frequently needing pumping and service.

There are many other decisions to make beyond the size and location of your septic system. Perhaps the most important decision, however, is whether you’re going to work with a septic company who will protect you and the investment you’re making in your property or with a septic installer who is short-sighted or unqualified for your situation. Making a short-sighted decision will end up costing more than you want to pay.

Septic System Expertise

If you’re ready for a discussion about your septic installation and the best path forward, let us know. We’ve been at this work long enough to help you make the right decisions.