How to get rid of sewer smell in basement?
I live in a ranch home with septic system. Previous owner(s) added a bathroom (toilet and sink) in the basement with no venting system that I can see (drywalled). I think they figured they didn't need one since there is a ejector pit in the basement that is vented. Problem is the smell goes up the 4" waste line and not the 2" vent line? Any way to add a vent with out breking up a bunch of concrete? How about adding some type of flapper valve in the ejector pit that will allow waste to go into the ejector pit but when nothing is flowing, the flapper will close and the smell would go up the vent line?? The smell is coming from my basement, it's tough to figure out from where exactly. but it seems to be coming from the basement toilet. I can fill it and within 24 hours it has lost most of the water in the toilet and then the smell starts to worsen if you don't keep water in the toilet base. I am 99% sure they don't have any vents on the bathroom. Just using the ejector pit vent that is about 5 feet away. The ejector pit is sealed up and nothing smells from there. Also have naother bathroom in the basement that is not finished. Just roughed in for toilet, shower and sink. No vents on any of these.
Public Comments
- sounds possible.
- 2 options here.. Option #1 Have a new ventilation system installed in your basement, which is probably going to cost you well over $1000 or Option #2 Just buy a really good dehumidifier
- WHERE is the smell coming from? as in, where in your house do you smell it? you shouldn't have to jackhammer anything to add a vent. the vent for a small bathroom like that should be off the top of the sink drain. if you have access to the ceiling space nearby (dropped ceiling?) then have a look above the sink. If i understand you correctly, the bathroom flows into a lift station where the sewage is pumped out into your existing septic system? check the seal on the lid to this lift station. it should be sealed to make it airtight. including the pipes going in, and coming out. A lack of venting of that bathroom would cause extremely poor drainage. the sink would chug/gasp for air when draining, or the toilet would pull air from the sink, and make a gurgling sound. if this is the case, i would think you are missing a vent. other than that, look to the pit itself, or for a broken vent line/unglued pipes on the venting system. if all else fails, expect to break some drywall, or call a professional.
