Septic Tank Odor II

[srodgers]

We live in a split level house with a crawl space. When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor in the laundry room is overpowering at times.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.Don, good afternoon. Every appliance that discharges to the septic tank requires that you have a fitting on the outlet which is known as a trap some people call it a goose neck. The purpose of this fitting is to disconnect the appliance by way of a water seal. This then stops the odour from a sewer main or septic tank from getting outinto the atmosphere. Do you have such a fitting for your washer to discharge through. If not get the plumber to set you up correctly. There is a second factor thatt mya be inplace and that is that the pipe that run under or through the footings of your home is cracked or broken and that when water passes acrosss this point the tank is stirred up and then the gas from the tank which is lighter thanair and hot will move back up the pipework and discharge into the open air. Have a look and see if either of these ideas and perhaps solutions makes sense, Regards colin Dunn

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.Don, If you have checked everything Colin mentioned and everything looks okay, the septic tank may need attention. How long have you lived here? Did the odor just start recently? Septic odor is sometimes the first sign of a slow septic system. If its been more than 3 or 4 years since the tank has been pumped and cleaned, consider pumping the tank. This should be done every 1-5 years anyway, and it will tell you a lot by seeing the operating level and the amount of scum and sludge in the tank. For more info on septic care, follow this link and click Septic Dos & Donts. Good Luck, Scott

[Don WaltersParticipant]

Thanks to the both of you for your comments. I havent followed up on Colins as yet because of the difficulty of getting at the pipes. I may have to remove some wallboard to see part of it and the 4part between the laundry room and the crawl space is under the concrete floor.Scott, Your link gave me the dreaded 404. In answer to your questions, we bought the house (14 years old) 2 1/2 years ago. Knowing nothing about septic systems, we had it pumped immediately and again 7 months ago*. The odor has always been a problem but at times it is far worse than others and it usually is most noticeable when laundry is being done. Sometime a long shower (as in bathroom) will result in the odor appearing.The first guy was just a truck driver but the second said there seem to be little bacteriological action.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: Thanks to the both of you for your comments. I havent followed up on Colins as yet : because of the difficulty of getting at the pipes. I may have to remove some wallboard : to see part of it and the 4part between the laundry room and the crawl space is under : the concrete floor.: Scott, Your link gave me the dreaded 404. In answer to your questions, we bought the : house (14 years old) 2 1/2 years ago. Knowing nothing about septic systems, we had it : pumped immediately and again 7 months ago*. The odor has always been a problem but at : times it is far worse than others and it usually is most noticeable when laundry is : being done. Sometime a long shower (as in bathroom) will result in the odor appearing.: The first guy was just a truck driver but the second said there seem to be little : bacteriological action.It is possible that one of your traps is not vented properly and is getting syphoned out. You should never get methane gas from your sceptic system into your house. Go around and make certain all of your traps are full. If they are, the ordor should go away and not come back, unless one gets emptied out again. If you can figure out which one is being emptied out, it should be fixed immediately. Methane gas back in the house is very dangerous.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

If you smell sewer gas the first thing you do is call a plumber, period. H2S (found in all sewer gas) KILLS. After the plumber smoke tests or whatever and tells you the plumbing is right, sometimes vents do create hazards, then you can go fix the real problem. Thtat is if it only occurs occasionally then its most likely septic tank system hiccups. These are realatively easy to cure. Look up septic tank hiccups on Yahoo.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

We had a similar problem with the washing machine discharging to a laundry tub which drained to a sump pit then into the septic. The cause of our problem seemed a bit more obvious than yours since the odor was clearly emanating from the washing machine itself. The machine was about 12 years old and when it finally went and was replaced, the odor went away. I assume some layer of bacterial crud had built up in the machine itself.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.Don,Whenever you flush the toilet, do the laundy, or anything else that causes water to fill into your septic tank, the incoming water displaces the air in the headspace of the septic tank. The displaced air exits the tank through the leach field, or dry well, or escapes through a vent(s) installed in the plumbing system.In your situation, the displaced air is venting up through the 2 washing machine drain pipe. This is what is causingthe odor problem in your laundry room. There must be anadditional discharge point in your crawl space.The fix the problem you need to do two things:1) Confirm that there is a 4 vent pipe on your system This pipe normally exits your house through the roof. Its a good idea to check this pipe to obrtructions like bees and birds nests. If there is no vent, or the vent is smaller than 4, you will need to have your system upgraded2) A vented trap is necessary at the point where your 2 washing machine drain enters the 4 sewer pipe. Keep in mind that this trap will only work if there is a proper vent as described above.Good Luck!Roger H. Saugerites, NY2

[Don WaltersParticipant]

Bad problem-easy solution 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever)Product is call Septic FlowEmail if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.Thanks.: Bad problem-easy solution : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): Product is call Septic Flow: Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : Thanks to the both of you for your comments. I havent followed up on Colins as yet : : because of the difficulty of getting at the pipes. I may have to remove some wallboard : : to see part of it and the 4part between the laundry room and the crawl space is under : : the concrete floor.: : Scott, Your link gave me the dreaded 404. In answer to your questions, we bought the : : house (14 years old) 2 1/2 years ago. Knowing nothing about septic systems, we had it : : pumped immediately and again 7 months ago*. The odor has always been a problem but at : : times it is far worse than others and it usually is most noticeable when laundry is : : being done. Sometime a long shower (as in bathroom) will result in the odor appearing.: : The first guy was just a truck driver but the second said there seem to be little : : bacteriological action.: It is possible that one of your traps is not vented : properly and is getting syphoned out. You should never : get methane gas from your sceptic system into your : house. Go around and make certain all of your traps : are full. If they are, the ordor should go away and not : come back, unless one gets emptied out again. If you can : figure out which one is being emptied out, it should : be fixed immediately. Methane gas back in the house is : very dangerous.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.: : Don, : If you have checked everything Colin mentioned and everything : looks okay, the septic tank may need attention. How long : have you lived here? Did the odor just start recently? : Septic odor is sometimes the first sign of a slow septic : system. If its been more than 3 or 4 years since the tank : has been pumped and cleaned, consider pumping the tank. This : should be done every 1-5 years anyway, and it will tell you : a lot by seeing the operating level and the amount of scum : and sludge in the tank. For more info on septic care, follow this : link and click Septic Dos & Donts. : Good Luck, : Scott

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: Thanks.: : : Bad problem-easy solution : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : Product is call Septic Flow: : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.: : Don,: Whenever you flush the toilet, do the laundy, or anything : else that causes water to fill into your septic tank, : the incoming water displaces the air in the headspace : of the septic tank. The displaced air exits the tank : through the leach field, or dry well, or escapes through : a vent(s) installed in the plumbing system.: In your situation, the displaced air is venting up through : the 2 washing machine drain pipe. This is what is : causingthe odor problem in your laundry room. There must : be anadditional discharge point in your crawl space.: The fix the problem you need to do two things:: 1) Confirm that there is a 4 vent pipe on your system : This pipe normally exits your house through the roof. Its : a good idea to check this pipe to obrtructions like bees : and birds nests. If there is no vent, or the vent is : smaller than 4, you will need to have your system upgraded: 2) A vented trap is necessary at the point where your 2 : washing machine drain enters the 4 sewer pipe. Keep in : mind that this trap will only work if there is a proper : vent as described above.: Good Luck!: Roger H. : Saugerites, NY: 2

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.: Don, : good afternoon. : Every appliance that discharges to the septic tank requires that you have a fitting on the outlet which is known as a trap some people call it a goose neck. : The purpose of this fitting is to disconnect the appliance by way of a water seal. This then stops the odour from a sewer main or septic tank from getting outinto the atmosphere. Do you have such a fitting for your washer to discharge through. : If not get the plumber to set you up correctly. : There is a second factor thatt mya be inplace and that is that the pipe that run under or through the footings of your home is cracked or broken and that when water passes acrosss this point the tank is stirred up and then the gas from the tank which is lighter thanair and hot will move back up the pipework and discharge into the open air. : Have a look and see if either of these ideas and perhaps solutions makes sense, : Regards : colin Dunn

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME SOME INFO. ON SEPTIC TANKS. IM MOVING TO A HOUSE THAT HAS WELL AND SEPTIC. I AM A CITY PERSON AND HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH A SEPTIC.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

Hello water people!I work with the Chicago Academy of Science, we are doing a new exhibit on City Sciences. I need a slide image of an exposed water main pipe to use in the exhibit. Yes Its a strange way to get your photography into a museum, but I cant find any images anywhere. if anyone has one please e-mail me. Thank you for your help. Audrey

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: We had a similar problem with the washing machine discharging to a laundry tub which drained to a sump pit then into the septic. The cause of our problem seemed a bit more obvious than yours since the odor was clearly emanating from the washing machine itself. The machine was about 12 years old and when it finally went and was replaced, the odor went away. I assume some layer of bacterial crud had built up in the machine itself.RodX stops septic tank odors overnight.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : Thanks.: : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : MSDS Large Quantity pricing Dilution rates Airborne approval Toxicology reportsThank You

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : : Thanks.: : : : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : : : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : : : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : : : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : : : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : : : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : : : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : : : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : : : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.: : Don, : : good afternoon. : : Every appliance that discharges to the septic tank requires that you have a fitting on the outlet which is known as a trap some people call it a goose neck. : : The purpose of this fitting is to disconnect the appliance by way of a water seal. This then stops the odour from a sewer main or septic tank from getting outinto the atmosphere. Do you have such a fitting for your washer to discharge through. : : If not get the plumber to set you up correctly. : : There is a second factor thatt mya be inplace and that is that the pipe that run under or through the footings of your home is cracked or broken and that when water passes acrosss this point the tank is stirred up and then the gas from the tank which is lighter thanair and hot will move back up the pipework and discharge into the open air. : : Have a look and see if either of these ideas and perhaps solutions makes sense, : : Regards : : colin Dunn

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : : Thanks.: : : : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME SOME INFO. ON SEPTIC TANKS. IM MOVING TO A HOUSE THAT HAS WELL AND SEPTIC. I AM A CITY PERSON AND HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH A SEPTIC.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : : : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : : : Thanks.: : : : : : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : Thanks.: : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : : : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : : : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : : : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : : : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : : : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : : : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : : : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : : : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.: : : : Don, : : If you have checked everything Colin mentioned and everything : : looks okay, the septic tank may need attention. How long : : have you lived here? Did the odor just start recently? : : Septic odor is sometimes the first sign of a slow septic : : system. If its been more than 3 or 4 years since the tank : : has been pumped and cleaned, consider pumping the tank. This : : should be done every 1-5 years anyway, and it will tell you : : a lot by seeing the operating level and the amount of scum : : and sludge in the tank. For more info on septic care, follow this : : link and click Septic Dos & Donts. : : Good Luck, : : Scott

[Don WaltersParticipant]

Does anyone know what methane gas smells like?: : : CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME SOME INFO. ON SEPTIC TANKS. IM MOVING TO A HOUSE THAT HAS WELL AND SEPTIC. I AM A CITY PERSON AND HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH A SEPTIC.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : : Thanks.: : : : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : Thanks.: : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : : : Thanks.: : : : : : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

It could be worse, I have lived with a crack in the outside seal of the septic tank that is scant metres away from the kitchen and bedroom windows, the contents of the sceptic tank are free to leak out, and in the summer the stench is unbearable, On top of that the council will do nothing about it saying that it isnt their problem, yet I live in a council house, so therefopre it is!!

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : : : Thanks.: : : : : : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: Thanks.: : : Bad problem-easy solution : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : Product is call Septic Flow: : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: Thanks.: : : Bad problem-easy solution : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : Product is call Septic Flow: : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: Thanks.: : : Bad problem-easy solution : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : Product is call Septic Flow: : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

NEED HELP!! WE ARE LOOKING INTO PURCHASING SOME UNDEVELOPE LAND AND NEED TO KNOW THE AVERAGE COST OF PUTTING A SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM IN. LAND LOCATED IN TATE COUNTY, MS?

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : We live in a split level house with a crawl : space. : : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor : in the : : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer : drains : : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer : pipe : : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. : There it : : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer : foundation : : and into the septic tank. We can control the : odor in : : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but : the odor : : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

You can eliminate odor and solid waste in any septic tank by installing an Aerog-A-Jet model 100 for less than $1000. Contact Sewage Aeration Systems on the web at www,Aerob-A-Jet.com.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: NEED HELP!! WE ARE LOOKING INTO PURCHASING SOME UNDEVELOPE LAND AND NEED TO KNOW THE AVERAGE COST OF PUTTING A SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM IN. LAND LOCATED IN TATE COUNTY, MS?:We are moving onto a rural property that has septic. The current owners dont have it pumped. Can you tell me how waste breaks down and where it goes. Is there an alternative/enviro. friendly way we can use the septic.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME SOME INFO. ON SEPTIC TANKS. IM MOVING TO A HOUSE THAT HAS WELL AND SEPTIC. I AM A CITY PERSON AND HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH A SEPTIC.please give details of two compartment and three compartment system

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME A ROUND ABOUT PRICE FOR A SEPTIC TANK FOR MY BUILDING SITE. I DONT HAVE AN EXACT SQUARE FOOTAGE, SO A BRIEF DESCRIPTION WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME A ROUND ABOUT PRICE FOR A SEPTIC TANK FOR MY BUILDING SITE. I DONT HAVE AN EXACT SQUARE FOOTAGE, SO A BRIEF DESCRIPTION WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : : : : : Please send me information on Septic Flow Product.: : : : Thanks.: : : : : : : : : Bad problem-easy solution : : : : : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): : : : : Product is call Septic Flow: : : : : Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: We live in a split level house with a crawl space. : When doing the laundry, we get septic tank odor in the : crawl space and in the laundry room. The washer drains : into a 2? pipe which connects with the 4 sewer pipe : which travels approx. 25 to the crawl space. There it : turns 90 degrees and exits through the outer foundation : and into the septic tank. We can control the odor in : crawl space by venting it with a small fan but the odor : in the laundry room is overpowering at times.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: Bad problem-easy solution : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): Product is call Septic Flow: Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: Bad problem-easy solution : 1 cap full daily kills all odors (forever): Product is call Septic Flow: Email if you want Companys name and address

[Don WaltersParticipant]

: : : CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME SOME INFO. ON SEPTIC TANKS. IM MOVING TO A HOUSE THAT HAS WELL AND SEPTIC. I AM A CITY PERSON AND HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH A SEPTIC.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

I have a similar problem with my septic system. It seems to occur more often in the cold/windy weather, but I suspect that my washing machine may be purging its own trap also. Could environmental conditions like wind, cold air, or humidity create enough back pressure in the vent pipe to force the methane gas back down into the system? If so, how does the smell get into the house ? or why does a dry trap yield an odor in the house? It seems that there is a breech in the system that is there all of the time but the odor comes and goes occasionally. Please help!!!! Thanks neil : : : : Thanks to the both of you for your comments. I havent followed up on Colins as yet : : : because of the difficulty of getting at the pipes. I may have to remove some wallboard : : : to see part of it and the 4part between the laundry room and the crawl space is under : : : the concrete floor.: : : Scott, Your link gave me the dreaded 404. In answer to your questions, we bought the : : : house (14 years old) 2 1/2 years ago. Knowing nothing about septic systems, we had it : : : pumped immediately and again 7 months ago*. The odor has always been a problem but at : : : times it is far worse than others and it usually is most noticeable when laundry is : : : being done. Sometime a long shower (as in bathroom) will result in the odor appearing.: : : The first guy was just a truck driver but the second said there seem to be little : : : bacteriological action.: : : It is possible that one of your traps is not vented : : properly and is getting syphoned out. You should never : : get methane gas from your sceptic system into your : : house. Go around and make certain all of your traps : : are full. If they are, the ordor should go away and not : : come back, unless one gets emptied out again. If you can : : figure out which one is being emptied out, it should : : be fixed immediately. Methane gas back in the house is : : very dangerous.

[Don WaltersParticipant]

I have a similar problem with my septic system. It seems to occur more often in the cold/windy weather, but I suspect that my washing machine may be purging its own trap also. Could environmental conditions like wind, cold air, or humidity create enough back pressure in the vent pipe to force the methane gas back down into the system? If so, how does the smell get into the house ? or why does a dry trap yield an odor in the house? It seems that there is a breech in the system that is there all of the time but the odor comes and goes occasionally. Please help!!!! Thanks neil : : : : Thanks to the both of you for your comments. I havent followed up on Colins as yet : : : because of the difficulty of getting at the pipes. I may have to remove some wallboard : : : to see part of it and the 4part between the laundry room and the crawl space is under : : : the concrete floor.: : : Scott, Your link gave me the dreaded 404. In answer to your questions, we bought the : : : house (14 years old) 2 1/2 years ago. Knowing nothing about septic systems, we had it : : : pumped immediately and again 7 months ago*. The odor has always been a problem but at : : : times it is far worse than others and it usually is most noticeable when laundry is : : : being done. Sometime a long shower (as in bathroom) will result in the odor appearing.: : : The first guy was just a truck driver but the second said there seem to be little : : : bacteriological action.: : : It is possible that one of your traps is not vented : : properly and is getting syphoned out. You should never : : get methane gas from your sceptic system into your : : house. Go around and make certain all of your traps : : are full. If they are, the ordor should go away and not : : come back, unless one gets emptied out again. If you can : : figure out which one is being emptied out, it should : : be fixed immediately. Methane gas back in the house is : : very dangerous.

[Author]

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