Septic Tank Smells

[tatom]

My plumming was done Issan style and then I added another bathroom myself using the same style. The toilet of course has a built in trap. There is still a little smell but not bad. The problem Im having now is a real stink coming from the septic tank. Its just 4 round tiles with a concrete cover.

I suppose they dont use a vent pipe because the tanks are not buried, so are not airtight. Enough air to flush, no problem. I just pumped the tank a few months ago but for the last week or so there has been a real strong stink.

Anyone got any suggestions?

[Khonwan]

Should have an air vent. Make a hole on top of the concrete cover large enough to accomodate a 1"-2" pvc pipe; insert pipe; cement to seal and hold in place; ensure pipe extends to a position higher than your roof eaves.

[Crossy]

Should have an air vent. Make a hole on top of the concrete cover large enough to accomodate a 1"-2" pvc pipe; insert pipe; cement to seal and hold in place; ensure pipe extends to a position higher than your roof eaves.

Yep I agree, although I'd use 2-3" pipe, give the pong an easy route out and it will take it

Don't forget to put some sort of screen over the top of the vent to stop ingress of wildlife.

[Riley'sLife]

.......and never allow anti-bacterial toilet cleaner to be used. If it enters the "rings" it can prevent the natural degradation of the contents and cause a real stench.

[Crossy]

.......and never allow anti-bacterial toilet cleaner to be used. If it enters the "rings" it can prevent the natural degradation of the contents and cause a real stench.

Good point, is it possible that you killed your tank when it was emptied? A can of that septic tank activator may be an idea.

[Khonwan]

.......and never allow anti-bacterial toilet cleaner to be used. If it enters the "rings" it can prevent the natural degradation of the contents and cause a real stench.

Good point, is it possible that you killed your tank when it was emptied? A can of that septic tank activator may be an idea.

'EM' also very good.

[tatom]

My wife suggested some EM and Ill give it a try.

Im sure a vent pipe will do the trick, but it wont be very pretty. The tank is beside the house about 3 meters out. Our place is nicely landscaped and a tall pipe will stick out like a sore thumb.

Ive seen several homes with vent pipes on the tanks but they were only 30 centemeters or so tall. I wonder if anyone in Thailand vents out through the roof?

[Crossy]

Im sure a vent pipe will do the trick, but it wont be very pretty. The tank is beside the house about 3 meters out. Our place is nicely landscaped and a tall pipe will stick out like a sore thumb.

Ive seen several homes with vent pipes on the tanks but they were only 30 centemeters or so tall. I wonder if anyone in Thailand vents out through the roof?

Paint the pipe brown and attach some fake palm fronds and coconuts to the top, job's a good 'un

Obviously you want to get the smells as far away from you as practical. A short vent would do the trick to vent the tank, my gran had a similar arrangement on her septic in the UK, it had a sort of wind operated flap arrangement that kept it from allowing smell to go towards the house.

[Khonwan]

My wife suggested some EM and Ill give it a try.

Im sure a vent pipe will do the trick, but it wont be very pretty. The tank is beside the house about 3 meters out. Our place is nicely landscaped and a tall pipe will stick out like a sore thumb.

Ive seen several homes with vent pipes on the tanks but they were only 30 centemeters or so tall. I wonder if anyone in Thailand vents out through the roof?

I installed a 2” pipe 12 years ago emerging from the side, near the top cover but buried under the soil (few inches – can’t recall how many), running to my house wall horizontally where, connected by a 90 degree elbow, it runs up the wall, through the eaves and through the concrete-tiled roof.

I’ve never had a problem with smell despite having never emptied it or used EM or anything similar. I rarely use bleach, preferring to simply use dish detergent occasionally (much kinder to the bacteria digesting the waste). The soak-away is 2 metres deep by 1.5 metres diameter, built by brick. I dug it out of compacted laterite.

The pipe is painted white similar to the wall and red/brown where it emerges from the roof (similar to the tiles).

[Beardog]

If your experiencing any odors inside through the shower vent or sink area, you should check to see if a u-trap was put in going out to the 4" drainage pipe.This allows the system to trap methane odors from coming back through your drains.

Stay away from bleach - Duck & go sparingly on your kitten cleanser when you clean your bathroom. Most odors are self induced by overuse of agents that kill the natural bacteria needed to make the septic work.

Agreed you want the vent pipe exiting through the roof & put a T on the end of the pipe. I took screen & 1/2 pipe over the screen & curt the excess off on both ends. Makes a handy way to put the screens in. You do not need to glue the 1/2 inch pipes with the screens. That way if the screens break you can pull out the ends & re screen.

As Crossy pointed out you do not want bees or other critters in the vent. If your septic system is adequate you should get 20-30 years without having to pump it out. And also use as little toilet paper as you can No sanitary napkins!