How to Reduce Septic Tank Odor

Your septic tank smells. Why is that?

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If you find yourself complaining about septic tank odor, you likely have an issue you need to address. When everything works correctly, your septic tank shouldn't be stinky inside or outside your home.

Why Does My Septic Tank Smell So Bad?

When you walk near your septic tank, you might notice a slight odor, but it shouldn't be overpowering. If it is, the tank might have issues that need to be repaired. A common issue is a damaged or poorly sealed manhole cover, which allows the septic tank gases to escape and cause odors.

If the leach field, also known as the drain field, is the source of the odor, you could have damaged pipes or blockages from tree roots. Flooding in the drain field can also cause it to fail and increase the odors you smell.

Why Does My Septic Tank Smell in the Bathroom?

If the septic tank odor comes into your bathroom or other areas of your home, you could be dealing with a plumbing issue inside the house. Odors also come back into your home if there's a failure inside the tank. Some examples of problems that make your bathroom have a septic tank odor include:

• Damaged or dried-out toilet wax seal

• Clogged plumbing vent

• Dried-out floor drain

• Blocked pipes from the house to the tank

• Clogged inlet or outlet baffle

• Full septic tank

• Inadequate bacteria in the tank

• Pump failure

8 Things You Can Do to Reduce Septic System Odor

Proper septic tank and plumbing system maintenance is essential for keeping septic tank odor under control. Using the system properly prevents clogs and damage to all the parts of the system. The following tips can help:

Have Your Tank Pumped

The timing depends on the size of the tank and the type of system, but tanks typically need to be pumped once every three to five years. If it's been a while since you've had your tank pumped, contact a septic tank company to check it for you. Slower drains could indicate it's time to have the tank pumped.

Limit What You Flush

Only flushing human waste and toilet paper cuts down on clogs and helps the septic tank maintain a proper balance. Avoid putting any chemicals down your drain as they can kill bacteria in the tank.

Protect the Drain Field

Never drive over the drain field of your septic system. Avoid planting anything near the field as the roots can clog the system. Don't build anything on or near the drain field as this can also cause damage.

Avoid Additives

While septic tank additives claim to help, they often damage or disrupt the tank. They could corrode the tank and cause leaks. Some additives affect the bacteria in the tank, which interferes with the natural waste breakdown.

Check Your Drains

If you have an indoor drain that dried out, the septic tank odors can enter your home. Pour water down drains that don't get used very often to stop this.

Control Your Water Usage

Using excessive amounts of water can throw off the levels in your tank and cause issues that eventually result in odors. Monitor your water usage to keep the system in check.

Divert Water Runoff

Since too much water can affect how the drain field works, be intentional about water runoff. Direct the water from your gutters, sump pump and other sources away from the septic tank area.

Fix Problems Early

You should have an idea of what's normal for your septic tank system. As soon as you notice that something's off, address the issue quickly. Minor disruptions to the septic tank are usually easy to fix, but they might become more complex if you ignore them.

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Still Smellin' the Stink? Call a Septic Professional

If you're dealing with odors that won't go away, contact a plumber or septic tank company to help find the source. You might need professional repairs if the issue is a failed part or a clog in the system. Work done on the septic tank itself is best left to professionals, as it's potentially dangerous. An expert can diagnose the problem quickly and has the tools to repair it correctly to get your system back on track.