How do you find source of septic tank (sewer) gas and how do you get rid of it?
We have been having problems with smelling sewer gas in a seldom used bathroom. We just got back home (having been gone for about a week) and the smell is out side AND inside the house. We live in the country and are on a septic system (house built in 1978). Is this dangerous (until we can get this fixed)? My 8 month pregnant daughter is due to come Saturday and stay the week-end. Is this a danger to her or her baby (or other chldren)? I've never had a septic system and am concerned. Thank you.
Public Comments
- Thing is it may be as simple as the trap on that toilet needing fixed or it could be that since you smell it inside and out that you need a whole new septic system. When was the last time you had it pumped?
- You do something called a smoke test. That'll find it for sure. Unless, of course, the tank needs pumped like the earlier poster mentioned. A good plumber could probably spot the source of the odor right off.
- CHECK THAT THE TRAPS ON YOUR SINKS BASINS TOILETS ARE FULL OF WATER THEY EVAPORATE AND CAUSE SEWER SMELLS INTO HOUSE ALSO SEE IF YOU CAN VENT THE SEWER TO THE ATMOSPHERE ALONG ITS LINE (PLUMBER)
- You answered your question. Seldom used toilets and drains (bathtub and sinks and floor drains) have a trap that holds water. Frequently used drains keep the water flushed with fresher water. Little used drains will allow the water to stagnate and yes it can smell quite bad. Run a little bleach water through all drains followed by a little baking soda.
- I can't help diagnose the problem but we had a similar problem with a similar situation (rarely used bathroom) and no amount of liquid plumr or other cleaners could fix it. We called a plumber and he couldn't get rid of it either until the toilet was replaced. Now everything is fine. Maybe that will work for you.
- Check your vents on the roof. Something may have blocked one of them. Take a garden hose up on the roof and run water down the vents to try to flush out the blockage if water fills the pipe and over flows the vent you need to get a snake and snake out the vents.
