Whether your septic tank smells outside or inside your home, it’s tough to ignore its pungent odor. Septic smells aren’t just unpleasant — they can also signal underlying issues with your system that may require maintenance or repair.
Why Does My Septic Tank Smell? Uncovering the Common Culprits
Septic tank smells often trace back to these common problems.
Clogged drains
Drains gradually accumulate food, hair, and other organic matter and debris, which can then decompose and emit foul odors. A partial or complete blockage can limit the flow of water and air, and the resulting increase of pressure can push sewer gasses into your home. This odor can worsen if drain traps dry out from minimal water flow and no longer provide a barrier against sewer gasses.
Freezing
North Carolina’s chilly winter days can also affect septic smells. A frozen drain field, for example, can prevent your system from percolating wastewater, leading to septic tank backups. Likewise, drain pipes and venting pipes with inadequate insulation may freeze and block the flow of wastewater and gas, instead pushing them into your home.
Cracked pipes
Blockages, freezing, and other problems can lead to cracked pipes that leak liquid and gasses into the surrounding soil. Cracked pipes can also cause issues with other aspects of your system, such as pulling in groundwater and overloading the system or disrupting the water flow.
Overflowing septic tank
Septic tanks require periodic servicing, every two to five years, to pump out buildup. Without proper septic tank maintenance, sludge and solid waste can build up enough that it prevents the system from efficiently processing wastewater, sometimes leading to pools of water in your yard and septic odors. High usage, flushing non-biodegradable materials, poor drainage, and other factors can contribute to an overflowing septic tank.
Damaged or dry toilet wax seal
Toilet bases have a wax seal or ring that provides a barrier against leaks and septic smells. If the wax seal dries, crumbles, or loosens, it won’t be able to prevent sewer gasses from escaping into your bathroom.
Loose sewer trap plug
The sewer trap plug is a metal or plastic cap that prevents sewer gasses from entering your home. A loose plug can allow gasses to move freely and wastewater to expel into your yard.
Broken pump
Septic pumps are submersible pumps that push water into the drain field when waste buildup reaches a certain threshold. A faulty float switch, burnt out motor, or other issues can prevent the system from moving waste effectively, leading to poor processing and odorous stagnant water.
Blocked vents
Located above ground near the septic tank and on your roof, vent pipes provide a safe path for air and gasses from your septic tank to escape through. Animal nests, debris, and other obstructions can block the vents and cause odor buildup.
Bacterial imbalance
Septic tanks rely on a bacterial balance to properly break down waste. While they can handle some cleaning products, large quantities of antibacterial soap, bleach, and other chemical-based cleaning products can disrupt the bacterial balance. This imbalance can limit biodegrading, causing the tank to fill much faster than it should and backup sewer gasses or sewage into your home.
Septic Smell in House vs Outside: Identifying the Source
The location of a septic smell can help pinpoint the source of the issue and determine the repair.
Septic odors limited to inside your home often indicate an issue with plumbing. For instance, smells mostly emanating from your bathroom can suggest a dried-out toilet seal. Other smells through your home may come from dry drain traps or clogged drains.
Noticeable odors from outside your home typically indicate septic system problems, such as an overflowing tank or broken pump. Many of these issues also cause pooling water or overly lush grass patches in your yard.
DIY Solutions for Septic Odors: What You Can Do Yourself
Some septic odors only need simple fixes that require minimal plumbing knowledge, such as:
- Unclogging drains: Use a plunger, snake, or homemade cleaner of vinegar and baking soda to remove clogs in accessible pipes.
- Weekly flush: Once per week, flush about a cup of baking soda down the drain to help balance septic tank pH levels.
- Unblock vents: Ensure the septic vents are clear of debris or blockages.
When to Call a Professional: Signs of a Serious Septic Issue
If DIY strategies don’t clear away septic odors, calling a professional is essential to prevent system damage, exposure to gasses, property damage, and more costly repairs. Serious septic issues, such as damaged pipes, broken pumps, or an overflowing tank require specialized tools and expertise of a licensed plumber. Don’t hesitate to call a professional if you notice persistent odors, one or more sewage backups, or other signs or septic system problems.
Preventing Septic Odors: Maintenance and Prevention Tips
Septic systems require minimal maintenance and repair with conscious preventative strategies.
- Regular septic pumping: Depending on your tank’s specifications and household use, schedule inspections and every two to five years.
- Monitor water usage: Practice water conservation strategies to avoid overloading your septic system, such as using water-efficient toilets and other fixtures, spacing out showers and laundry, and promptly fixing leaks.
- Proper waste disposal: Avoid flushing anything aside from human waste or toilet paper into your septic system, such as cooking grease, diapers, dental floss, coffee grounds, cat litter, and more. Limit the use of chemical-based cleaners to maintain healthy septic bacteria.
- Maintain drainfield: Avoid parking on your drainfield, and plant trees and shrubs well away from the system to prevent root damage.
Call Jay’s for Septic Tank Problems in Mount Airy, NC
Don’t let pungent septic smells escalate into bigger problems. Our expert team is ready to assist with the smelliest parts of your home, serving the Foothills area of North Carolina and Virginia.
See why we’re the go-to home service provider, and take advantage of competitive financing, maintenance plans, and more — contact us today or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the potential health risks associated with septic odors?
Chronic exposure to sewer gas can present health issues and symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Prompt repair is important to avoid gas exposure.
Can a plumber fix a damaged septic pipe?
Depending on the nature and scope of damage, plumbers use several strategies to repair pipes, such as epoxy sealant or total replacement.
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