Causes of Septic Tank Odors: How To Get Rid Of Bad Smell?

The septic tank is the place where all the waste is decomposed and stored, but because of the anti-bacterial cleansers used, there aren’t adequate bacteria in the septic tank to eat away the waste. Hence, individual septic tanks tend to develop an odor when the pH level is too acidic. Those who experience the predicament of a foul-smelling septic tank need to ensure that necessary steps are promptly taken to get rid of the smell before it worsens.

What Causes Septic Tank Odors?

  • The septic tank is full: The commonest cause is that the septic tank is full; this is the easiest to resolve: you need to have it pumped. In case you have a leaky faucet, or are using more water than usual, you need to have the septic tank pumped oftener to diminish the odor.
  • Clogged septic tank vent: Septic tanks ought to have a vent installed which permits gases from the sewage to escape, thereby averting a buildup of toxic methane gases. Occasionally, the vent may get clogged by snow, nest or a frog. Check the vent to see that the gases are escaping. A clogged vent could be the cause of your septic tank odor, which can be rather disagreeable.
  • Covered septic tank vent: If your home has been remodeled or altered since the septic tank was installed, it could have been covered up. A number of tanks were built to vent into the attic, so if the attic has been converted into a room, that room may experience odors from time to time.
  • No septic tank vent: If your septic tank has been installed by a contractor who wasn’t paying attention, it may have been installed without a vent. Shockingly, this does happen. Without a vent, the odor from the tank comes up through the drains, making the kitchen and bathroom stink.
  • Chemistry problems: Flushing things that ought not to be flushed down the drain can cause problems with decomposition of the sewage and lead to problems in the tank. Do not flush oil or fat, industrial cleaning products, feminine hygiene products, paints, plastics, condoms, antibiotics and gasoline. The disturbance of the breakdown of sewage causes offensive septic tank odor.

How To Get Rid Of Bad Smell In Septic Tank?

  • Never pour more water than necessary. Pouring too much water flushes the baking soda present in the septic tank rapidly and propels extra waste which has not been digested by the microbes outside the tank.
  • Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain once a week in order to maintain good pH levels in the septic tank. Baking soda absorbs odors and functions as a cleaning agent when mixed with white vinegar. This will clean as well as deodorize the tank.
  • Do not throw things which will not flush properly, such as, coffee grounds, cigarettes, tissues, or plastic; microbes are unable to decompose them and results in offensive odor.
  • Mix 1 bucket of hot water with dish soap and pour in to the drain. This flushes the drain and also eliminates the septic tank odor effectively.
  • Another useful remedy is white vinegar. Vinegar is a deodorizer and a disinfectant which annihilates the bacteria which trigger the horrible odor.
  • Take out the cover of the drain and clean well with hot water and soap.
  • Pouring a drain cleaning agent is also recommended; it eliminates clogs which cause a septic accumulation. Unclogged drains keep unpleasant odor at bay.
  • Maintenance of the tank is very essential ensure that you hire professional cleaning service every 5 years.

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