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10 Feb 2025

Solving Common Septic System Odor Issues

Solving Common Septic System Odor Issues

Septic system odors can be a bothersome and chronic problem for homeowners. Many homeowners have experienced this at least once, but many don’t know how to handle these odors. Gases released during waste decomposition in the tank are frequently responsible for these odors. Fortunately, with the right maintenance, these scents can be minimized and even avoided. In this post, we'll look at some of the causes of septic tank smells, how to get rid of them, and how you can take measures to keep your system functioning smoothly and odorlessly. Of course, if the problem still isn’t resolved after these methods, contacting a reliable septic company in Acworth, GA for septic cleaning would be the best option.

What Causes Septic Tank Odors?

Anaerobic Bacteria

One of the most common reasons is anaerobic bacteria. Normally inside your tank, there are aerobic bacteria that utilize oxygen. However, if your tank lacks oxygen, aerobic bacteria will struggle for air, causing them to become anaerobic. Anaerobic bacteria produce sulfur gas components, which are the reason behind the bad odors.

Contaminants

Another common reason behind the odors is the items that should not be flushed into your septic system, including chemicals, fats, and greases. These can block things up and harm the system, damage bacteria, and reduce effective digestion as a result.

Source of Odor

To solve and prevent the odors from forming, it’s important to understand the source of the odor before starting anything. Septic odors, especially inside your home, frequently suggest a plumbing problem. However, noticeable scents from outside your home are usually signs of a septic system malfunction, such as an overflowing tank or a damaged pump. These can be observed from outside as well. 

Inside

  • If the floor drain trap is dried out, this can allow for odors to back up into your house. To prevent this, fill up the floor drain traps with water on a regular basis.
  • The plumbing vent that balances the pressure inside the drain pipes could be blocked. This can be the case, especially if you hear gurgling sounds. To see if there’s a blockage, you can take a look at the vent by going on the roof carefully and see if it’s the debris that’s clogging the vent.
  • If the odor is especially worse in the bathroom, this can be due to a dried-out toilet wax seal. Toilet bases have a wax seal that protects against leaks and septic smells. If the wax seal dries or loosens, sewage gases will enter your bathroom. To fix this, remove the toilet and replace the wax ring.

Outside

  • If the odors are coming from near the septic tank, check the risers and manholes to ensure they are properly protected. Properly sealed covers prevent the gases from escaping the tank.
  • If the lids are old, you can replace them with newer plastic lids because plastic lids have rubber seals that are more effective in preventing septic odors from escaping the tank.
  • Harsh chemicals that go down your drain are one of the most important causes of disruption of bacteria inside the tank. So, when you’re shopping for cleaning products, make sure to choose septic-safe household products.

Reliable Septic Services In Your Area

Of course, regular septic pumping and maintenance is the most beneficial step you can take to avoid the smells altogether. However, if there are persistent unpleasant odors you cannot get rid of, make sure to call the professionals of Rooter Septic Services. We are a septic firm that can assist you with a variety of plumbing and septic services. Please contact us today to learn more and schedule your appointment.