How To Reduce Septic Tank Odors

Lakeland has a fair amount of sulfur in the water and can produce a rotten egg smell, but if you smell something stronger than that, something foul in your bathrooms or your yard, it could be your septic tank. There are several reasons a septic tank could cause an offensive smell, but you should know how to reduce septic tank odors. Here is a quick guide on how to get rid of offensive septic tank odors.

Septic Tank Odors in Your House

If you smell the odor of sewage in your house, especially in the bathrooms and the kitchen, there is a good chance it is a problem with your septic system. Here are some common causes in Central Florida with septic tank odor.

A Clogged Plumbing Vent

The purpose of a plumbing vent is to balance the pressure in drain pipes as wastewater passes through them. A telltale sign of plumbing vent issues is a gurgling toilet, bathtub, or sink. If there is a bird’s nest or some other form of blockage sealing the vent, it will need to be cleared out.

Degraded Wax Rings

If you notice the foul smell in your bathrooms more than anywhere else, specifically the toilets, it could be the wax ring that seals the toilet to the floor. When a wax ring becomes old and brittle, it can break down, leaving cracks. These cracks then, in turn, let gases from your septic tank into your home. These foul smells can quickly be dealt with by replacing the wax ring.

Plumbing

There is also the possibility of a cracked pipe in the drain line; when this happens, the odors can be detected near the crack. This will require a plumber to fix; it is not a DIY project; it requires skill, licensing, and knowledge of Polk or Hillsborough County code.

Septic tank Odors Outside Your House

If you smell sewage outside of your home, and it’s near where your septic tank lies, that’s the cause of the odor. Here are some ways your septic tank can cause foul odors in your yard.

Open Covers and Accesses Points

Make sure all covers and cleanout accesses to your septic tank are sealed properly. Some lids are like manhole covers made out of concrete. Cleanout accesses are usually PVC pipes with a screw-on lid. Cleanout accesses sit above ground and can often be damaged by lawnmowers or other yard tools.

Foul Odor from the Drain Field

It could be the Drain field if you detect a sewage smell in your yard, not specifically next to the septic tank. Crushed septic system pipes could cause this problem. You can detect a defective drain field if the ground is soggy along the drain field. Have the septic system pipes been checked for roots or other obstructions, such as bellies with low spots in the pipes?

Use Lakeland Septic Can Get Rid of Septic Tank Odors

If you’re tired of your house or yard smelling like an open sewer, contact us in Polk or Hillsborough. One of our septic system experts will gladly discuss how we can eliminate the septic smell plaguing your home. Don’t endure the smell of a septic tank; get in touch today.