Septic Smells

[shock]

When we had our cabin built, they placed a 300 gallon septic tank about 15' from the front door.

That was in 2017. Over the years, maybe even the beginning, we smelled sewer off and on. We could never figure out if it was the vent pipe on top of the roof, the outlet pipe which is open air dumped about 100' away, the cleanout, or the lid not being airtight. The smell has gotten worse over time and I'm at a loss.

I ordered some plumbing smoke bombs that I plan to force smoke from the roof vent down and see if I can tell where the leak is. The lid doesn't seem tight all the way around the tank, or riser, I'm not sure what's there as I haven't opened the lid up yet.

Thoughts? I heard baking soda will nuetralize some of the odor if I can get the ph in the tank corrent.

I have a plumber on standby but wanted to see if I can locate the source of the leak first. What else should I check?

 

[grsthegreat]

They should never smell. The lid should fit tight. Mine has a rubber seal all around the lid.

 

[shock]

I called Snyder Industries today, they said there is no gasket for the lid I have....but I can see a wave in the lid and the tank....

 

[oosik]

The discharge pipe from your septic tank is open air discharging.....

I don't know where you live but surface discharge of septic effluent is not allowed in most states. This could, very well, be what you are smelling.

 

[the old grind]

I have a bathroom and a half downstairs and don't use them at all. When I smell sewer/septic inside I add water to the unused drains & stools to fill the traps.

Outside, what oosik said about smelly discharge.

 

[ponytug]

@shock Baking soda won't help you.

A couple of thoughts, preceded by a question; where is the cottage roughly? Does the cottage water have much sulfate in it by chance?

First find a way to seal your tank lid, or get someone to do it for you. If the outlet is open, it could be possible for wind shifts to burp air through your tank. If you can manage it, either do it yourself, or have someone either put in a drain field, or at least a closed infiltration pit. As @oosik points out, there are real health hazards, in addition to the smell. With those two items sorted, wait and see if the smell recurs. If it does, check that the drains in the house are plumbed properly and that every one of the drains has a vent. You need those vents to disperse any gasses coming from the septic system.

All the best,

Peter

 

[shock]

I have a bathroom and a half downstairs and don't use them at all. When I smell sewer/septic inside I add water to the unused drains & stools to fill the traps.

Outside, what oosik said about smelly discharge.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. We only smell the odor when outside. But off the front door is a porch, and it makes sitting out there unpleasant at times.

The Snyder Industries tech said I could caulk the lid. I would just use a latex caulk for assessibility later.

Anyone think a smoke test will work to find the leak? Plan to use a barrel vaccum to push the air through the vent on the roof.

 

[5030]

Sounds to me like it needs pumped.

 

[shock]

The cabin is only used about 50 days a year, 2 people. Drains aren't slow, no gurgling of sinks....?

 

[grsthegreat]

The discharge pipe from your septic tank is open air discharging.....

I don't know where you live but surface discharge of septic effluent is not allowed in most states. This could, very well, be what you are smelling.

Some septic systems have a vent pipe at the tank discharge, but not always. Ive seen these on some high tech systems.

On places nit used often, traps dry out and can vent gas all over.