bad smell

[Eric]

I bought a new Karsten Home almost two years ago. The home smelled really bad right by the front door and sidewalk after I bought it. (sewage smell) After a few months I traced this down to a vent pipe on the roof. In the afternoon, as the air cooled, it would flow downhill over my home and the smell would come with it. I extended the black ABS vent pipe about four feet and the problem was better by about 95%. Any ideas on how to get rid of the remaining 5% odor outside?

Now I have that same sewage smell coming from inside the home, specifically out of the guest bathroom which is located near the furnace, but only when the furnace is actually on and sucking in air from the house. The raw sewage smell only comes from the guest bathroom. I did not notice the smell before as I figured it was all coming from outside. But now the outside does not smell most of the time, and I keep the windows closed. There are no water leaks, the toilet works properly and the vent from the furnace is working properly in there. Any ideas?

[Mark Bower]

Have you tried extending the sewer vent by the guest bathroom up like you did the other one?

Mark
You gotta see my repair manual!

[David Oxhandler]

Many years ago I sold a home to a customer that had this same problem. I thought I was loosing my mind. We opened walls to check that all the vents pipes had no cracks or disconnections, and they were good. Every one of the traps were holding liquid and not letting any odor come through.... but from time to time, when the wind blew the right way the stench coming off the roof was undoubtedly sewerage.

We brought in a septic systems expert. He discovered that the home owner was taking medication that he was passing along to the septic tank and killing the "good" bacteria in the tank, and so not letting the tank go septic. That is where the waste is converted to liquid by the bacteria.

If you are on a private septic tank system consider a local septic contractor to inspect or possibly pump the tank. They can dose the tank with enzymes that will initiate septic conversion.

[Eric]

Thanks, I will try that. There is a tank uphill of us and another downhill of us. Neither one have been pumped in ?????? .

[Mark]

I've never seen a place with a 4' vent pipe sticking out of the roof, I bet it looks... odd.

That sewer smell may be coming from under the home, if there is the slightest leak or crack in the piping, raw sewage will drip onto the ground, where it will thrive in the dark, cool, damp climate.. All it takes is a decent breeze to blow the scent your way.

A working septic tank does not need pumping, and you can buy the enzyme tablets at virtually any store.

What you should not do:
Do not pour any grease or oil in the drain, this suffocates the system (and clogs it to boot).
Do not pour large quantities of dairy products (ie milk), milk products place an extremely high organic load on the system.
Avoid using bleach and other toxic chemicals, these just kill off everything in the tank.
Stop using that garbage disposal, throw that stuff in the trash.

[Nick]

There could be numerous reasons.
1. The commode is not properly vented through the roof. These vents are required 6 feet from the commode. Sometimes manufacturers guide them in the roof cavity by placing a couple of 90 degree elbows to re-route it. when they do this, it may create a reverse slope on the vent trapping water. You can look at this with a flashlight on top of the roof looking into the vents.
2. The commode is vented with an autovent.
3. Drainline leak.
Notifiy the manufacturer, if you believe the problem is a result from the manufactured, they are required to make a conclusive determination if the sewer smell is coming from the home. Don't let them stand behind the warranty. If the manufacturer is not doing this, contact your state agency or HUD.

[Mac]

Not sure where you live, but where I live, in NW Oregon, I have this happen occasionally, just in fall/winter. The air gets dense and sinks, bringing with it the septic aroma. I tried making a filter from ABS pipe, screen, and charcoal - that appeared to work, but brought a new problem - aroma inside the house, emanating from the sink in the bathroom next to the vent pipe (all other vents are internal one-way air valves). I came to realize that the balance was critical - removing the filter allowed enough flow to make the inside problem go away.

I would get the aroma on rare occasions coming down the kitchen vent, as well as the guest bathroom vent. Turning the fan on for a moment would clear it right up.