Normal to smell septic from roof vent.........?

[General Lee]

During cold weather? Occasionally I smell my septic from the roof plumbing vent depending on cold air temps and wind direction. One story house and the and the back deck is elevated due to hillside. This doesn't put me to far from the vent.

My question(s) are, is this a sign of an issue? Is it normal? I know from times of being on rooftops, being near the pipe, you'll catch a whiff regardless of weather. Also Sometimes at night I see steam coming from the pipe. Only noticeable with a flashlight though. I've heard the plumbing vent lets air IN, not out so I don't know what to think. I have three vents on my roof and only one emits steam and that is the one close to the septic tank.

Tank was pumped almost 6 years ago, No other noticeable issues with drains or smells in the house. What is everyone's thoughts?

 

[Pete Judd]

Normal, if you didn't have the vents, you would smell it in the house. If it is a problem, you could add a piece of pipe over the vent and extend it upwards.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Agree, normal, they call them stink pipes for a reason. The traps in the sinks and built in to the toilets keep the gas and smell out of your house. When a flush goes down the pipe the vent lets air in behind it so it doesn't syphon all the water out of your traps. Extend yours higher as suggested to make the back deck more user friendly.

 

[Ken73]

You can also use an Air Admittance Valve (AAV) in place of a vent pipe (stink pipe.) Some localities don't permit them since they are mechanical devices and can possibly fail, so you might want to check your regulations. The AAV won't let the stink out, but lets the air in for the venting. I'm replacing a few of my vent pipes with them because they put in weird long vent pipe runs that really mess up my attic space.

Otherwise it's normal for them to stink. They're straight pipes to your septic/sewage system.

 

[rockinmywaypa]

remember that everything going into your septic tank is going to take up space so air is going to be displaced up the pipe to allow the liquids and solids to enter the tank.Air straight out of the septic tank spouting off the end of the pipe up on the roof.

 

[cmhyland]

remember that everything going into your septic tank is going to take up space so air is going to be displaced up the pipe to allow the liquids and solids to enter the tank.Air straight out of the septic tank spouting off the end of the pipe up on the roof.

Also your septic system, about as green a system as you can get, is a working biofactory of enzymes and beneficial bacteria, etc. Like the composting of a manure pile there is a certin amount heat generated and that will rise, along with methane and other sewer gasses....

Regards,
Chris

 

[kidr]

You can install a filter on the vent on the roof.

 

[General Lee]

I appreciate the comments fellas, I feel much better about it now.

 

[dmccarty]

When we lived in the city and were connected to a sewer system I would get a whiff every once in awhile especially if I was on the roof working. I have never smelled anything at our country house with a septic system which is kinda surprising. OTH, when we had the tank pump four years ago there was not much smell from the tank.

Later,
Dan

 

[GolfAddict]

When we lived in the city and were connected to a sewer system I would get a whiff every once in awhile especially if I was on the roof working. I have never smelled anything at our country house with a septic system which is kinda surprising. OTH, when we had the tank pump four years ago there was not much smell from the tank.

Later,
Dan

Are you telling us your poop don't stink? :laughing: