- Hopefully this is the reason for the septic tank odor. It's often the easiest one to resolve: just have it pumped. A septic tank's size is usually determined by the expected water usage for the home. Most are designed to be pumped annually. If you've got a leaky faucet, or are using more water than usual, you may need to have your tank pumped more often to reduce the septic tank smells.
- Every septic tank system should have a vent installed. This allows the gases from the sewage to escape, preventing a buildup of toxic and flammable methane gases. Sometimes the vent can become clogged by a wasp's nest, a bird's nest, snow and ice, or even a frog. Check your vent to see that the gases are escaping. You can use a gas sniffing device to check for the presence of the expected gases, or you could do it the old fashioned way (by smelling). Smelling things that could be toxic isn't recommended. If you have reason to believe that your vent is clogged, you can consult a plumber who will resolve the matter. A clogged vent could be the cause of your septic tank odors, which can be quite unpleasant.
- If your home has been remodeled or otherwise altered since the septic tank was installed, it may have been capped or covered up. Some tanks in older houses were built to vent into an attic, so if the attic has been finished into a room, that room may periodically experience septic tank odors. Some septic systems have a vent with a metal screen on top to prevent critters from climbing inside or otherwise obstructing the vent. These screens may fall inside the pipe and close it off, thereby causing the problem they were designed to prevent: septic tank odors in the house.
- Also, if the tank was installed by a contractor who wasn't paying attention, it may have been installed without a vent. Surprisingly, this happens. Without having a proper vent, the odors and gases from the tank will come up through the drains, making the kitchen and bathroom into the stinkiest rooms in the house. If you notice the odor mostly after showering then this is likely the case.of septic tank odors in the house.
- Some things simply shouldn't go down into the septic tank. These can cause problems with the decomposition of your sewage and lead to problems in your septic tank. Basically, you want to avoid letting cooking grease, oil or fat, industrial cleaning products, paints, solvents, feminine hygiene products, condoms, antibiotics and other expired medications, anti-freeze, transmission fluid, or gasoline go down the drain. The disruption of the sewage breakdown can cause pungent septic tank odors.
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