Who do ya call when your neighbor's waste pipe won't get it out?

[MikePA]

I was under the impression, apparently wrong, that the stack on the roof was simply there to allow air to enter the waste pipe system as water exits. I never heard it was there to allow septic gases to escape from the tank.

Come to think of it, how would gases from the septic tank exit back through the DWV system and out the stack on the roof? I thought the whole point of having P traps on every drain was to prevent this?

 

[Highbeam]

There's no P-trap on the main line all the way to and through that stack. When you think about the septic tank there is no fluctution in the water level, the septic tank is always full to the level of the outlet so there is no replacement air needed. The need for air to be sucked in through the little plumbing vents is caused by the slugs of water dumped into the smaller laterals by such things as a toilet flush. That air below the slug is pushed into the main line and back up out of the stack since the septic tank doesn't really allow air through it.

In a city system, the house stacks also vent the main sewage line in the street. The stench can get pretty nasty on a low flow main.

 

[AlanB]

So really, you could vent the main stack out through the roof, and all the little one's venting something with a P trap could go in the attic?

I am about to do this myself so I am watching / learning intently.

 

[N80]

So really, you could vent the main stack out through the roof, and all the little one's venting something with a P trap could go in the attic?

I think the answer is yes, but if you are sending a vent up through the roof, there is no need for Studor vents in the attic anyway. A kitchen island might benefit from a Studor vent since it can't be vented through the roof easily.

My problem centered around me not wanting to put anything through my metal roof. I'm doing all this work myself and did not trust my skills to properly flash and seal the roof vent, which would result in a leaky roof.

I'm wondering about putting a vent between the septic tank and the house that would stick up above the ground to vent septic tank gas.

I really don't want to cut a hole in my roof or pay someone else to do it.

 

[DUMBDOG]

I think the answer is yes, but if you are sending a vent up through the roof, there is no need for Studor vents in the attic anyway. A kitchen island might benefit from a Studor vent since it can't be vented through the roof easily.

My problem centered around me not wanting to put anything through my metal roof. I'm doing all this work myself and did not trust my skills to properly flash and seal the roof vent, which would result in a leaky roof.

I'm wondering about putting a vent between the septic tank and the house that would stick up above the ground to vent septic tank gas.

I really don't want to cut a hole in my roof or pay someone else to do it.

Run the vent out the side and then up the required distance.

 

[AlanB]

I am adding a washing machine drain, and tying that into an additional sink drain in the basement, and do not like the idea of adding another hole in my roof for anything. I have 16 year old shingles that should probably be replaced, the way I have it figured, the less I mess about up there, the better off I am.

Got me too thinking though, I could probably do a horizontal run back over too the main vent stack (25' or so) and just tie into it, above all the other drains? I think there is room, will have to look this evening.

 

[Rara Avis]

If I could get up there, I would like to use some of that expanding foam in a can, it sticks like iron when wet
Shh

So what was the resolution?
Well did the foam work?
Or did your neighbor change his diet?
Or are you still dealing with the odor?

 

[4720 OWNER]

And we are the sorry ^&%$#@@ that have to put up with the odor which is RANK,GROSS and SMELLS like POOP and IS POOP
Is there such a thing as toilet cops or something like that. ?

Offer to help him with an electrical wiring problem.

 

[MrJimi]

Offer to help him with an electrical wiring problem.

Update is same old sh%$#
and If I did that, as dumb as he is, he would know that something is up

 

[AndyM]

Update is same old sh%$#
and If I did that, as dumb as he is, he would know that something is up

Have you tried politely talking to your neighbor about the problem, and offering to help fix it?