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Five Main Causes of Septic Tank Odors

Home Blog Five Main Causes of Septic Tank Odors

Your septic tanks stink. There’s no other way to put it. There is a distinctive odor coming from it, and you need to fix it. The answer most broadly is that you are in need of septic tank maintenance, but the smell may be the result of a few different causes. Here are the top five reasons why your septic tank has an odor and what to do to fix it.

1. A Faulty Tank Vent

Every septic tank in the world should have a vent. This vent is specifically installed to take odorous sewer gas and vent it away from your home, thus keeping your home smelling nice instead of like a septic tank. If for whatever reason, your vent is faulty, not working properly, or was disrupted in a recent renovation, then you will smell the results. A trusted septic tank expert can solve this problem for you and ensure that you get regular septic tank maintenance to prevent other kinds of septic tank odor issues.

2. Cold Weather

When the temperature is cold enough or the conditions wet and icy enough, your septic tank vents can freeze shut or completely over. When this happens, sewer gas won’t go through the vents and instead vent back into your home, causing a terrible odor. That’s when you need septic tank maintenance.

3. Your Septic Tank is Full

Probably one of the most common reasons experts like those at Drane Ranger get called for septic tank odors is related to the tank being full. This is usually the result of irregular pumping, meaning the sewage and other elements simply sit in the septic tank until it’s full. Regular septic tank maintenance can prevent this and catch faulty pumps before you smell the problem.

4. Dry Drains

Most septic tanks have a special u-shaped pipe that’s designed to trap water and block sewer air from moving along the pipe. It works wonderfully—as long as there is water in the system. When there isn’t, then the air simply moves through the pipe and eventually into our nostrils. In these instances, you may need a new pipe, in addition to your septic tank maintenance, to help with the problem.

5. Surface Runoff

Cold temperatures are not the only weather-related reason for why your septic tank may smell. It could also be due to high rainfall. When you have a lot of water runoff on your property and around your septic tank, especially during periods of increased precipitation, your tank can get flooded, and that can lead to a smell. Septic tank maintenance can help, but an intercept drain to contain the excess runoff could be a more permanent solution. Drane Ranger can help you figure out the best solution for you.

Drane Ranger has experience in septic tank maintenance, repairs, replacements, and more. If you own a septic tank, be sure to have us in your contacts to ensure that it is regularly maintained and so you have someone to call when repairs are necessary. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

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