30 Jun 2025
Why Is My Septic Tank Smelling? Causes and Solutions
A foul odor emanating from your home is a horrible feeling for any homeowner. Although occasional smells can be normal, persistent smells can be a sign that something is wrong with your septic system. In this article, we will break down the five most common causes of septic tank odors and provide practical solutions for addressing them. To learn more, contact Rooter Septic Services today.
Five Common Causes of Septic Tank Smells
Have you ever noticed foul odors coming from your toilet, drains, or even yard? If so, you may have understood that something isn’t the way it should. Most of these smells are caused by septic tanks. Understanding the root cause of these smells is the first step toward fixing the issue. Let’s go through five common causes of septic tank smells in this section:
- Clogged Drains: Many things can clog the pipes that transport wastewater to the septic system. In some cases, it may be caused by cold weather, which causes ice and frost to build up in vents and completely block it. In other cases, it can be a result of fat, grease, or a buildup of waste that can cause it. The best way to identify these clogs is simply the foul smell. When the drains are clogged, it dries out the pipes and reduces its ventilation. As a result, the bad smell from the toilet and drains escapes from the septic tank and enters your home.
- Full Septic Tank: Another common cause of septic tank smells is when the tank is full. A full tank causes plumbing fixtures to make gurgling noises. This typically occurs due to insufficient cleaning of the septic system or a bacterial issue within the system. It is recommended to have your septic system pumped every three years to ensure optimal health.
- Bacteria Problems: Bacteria in the septic system is crucial for how it digests waste. If the bacteria in the septic system is insufficient, the rate of wastewater treatment reduces significantly. That is why it is crucial to ensure the bacteria have optimal conditions for growth.
- High Rainfall: A high rainfall can increase the level of groundwater near your septic tank. This water can exert pressure and overflow the septic tank, causing foul gases and waste to seep through the drains. As a result, you may observe it with a horrible smell.
- Broken Pump: All septic systems have a pump that helps to move wastewater in and out of the tank. These pumps can be outdated, broken, or simply unable to withstand the requirements of the septic system. When these pumps don’t work well, wastewater can accumulate in the system, allowing gases and some waste to seep back into the home, resulting in a horrible smell. Contact a septic service today to determine if the pump in your septic system is malfunctioning.
Solutions to Septic Tank Smells
Once you have identified the cause of the septic tank smell, you must be aware of the effective solutions to resolve the problem completely.
- Pump the Septic Tank: Septic pumping in Lawrenceville is by far one of the most effective solutions for clogged drains and a full septic tank. If the septic tank is near its capacity, it must be pumped to increase its efficiency and restore the health of the bacteria living within it. The best part is it doesn’t need to be pumped every year; just once every few years is enough.
- Bacteria Additives: If the bacteria in the septic tank could benefit from a bit of help, bacteria additives are a great and healthy way of restoring their function in the tank. If you use a lot of cleaning chemicals, the bacteria's health can be disrupted, requiring the homeowner to use a bacteria additive.
- Redirect Surface Water Away from the Tank: If you experience problems with your septic tank after every rainfall, it is essential to redirect surface water away from the drain fields. Ensure that water doesn’t pool near your drainfield, as this can interfere with the system’s function.
- Fix Any Broken or Cracked Parts: Lastly, if you notice any broken parts, such as the pump, fixing or replacing them can be a simple way to eliminate the problem.
Rooter Septic Services
Are you looking for a septic company to help with the unpleasant odors from your septic tank? At Rooter Septic Services, we offer quality and affordable services to our customers. We aim to help everyone facing a septic system problem and put a smile on their faces. Contact us today to learn more about our services and receive estimates for your next septic cleaning.
