septic smell (roof, Lowes, drains, sinks)

[saltine]

Looking at buying a house in the country, it is on its own septic system. There is a smell coming from under the house (partial basement) crawl space around the bathroom. Any ideas?

[Driller1]

Could be just a vent. Get it checked before you buy.

[saltine]

Originally Posted by Driller1

Could be just a vent. Get it checked before you buy.

Thanks, I was hoping the same thing. Whats do you think the worst it could be?

[Driller1]

A bad field. You could have your local heath department take a look.

[saltine]

Originally Posted by Driller1

A bad field. You could have your local heath department take a look.

I think I will do that. Hate to pester you but are you refering to a bad drain field? and how would that smell up the house? Thanks again and thats all for now.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by saltine

I think I will do that. Hate to pester you but are you refering to a bad drain field? and how would that smell up the house? Thanks again and thats all for now.

No problem. Yes, a bad drain field.
I am not sure how but, the smell will do that. I am thinking a venting problem.

[desertsun41]

If you have a smell under the house it is probably a leak in the waste line. The vent goes 2-3' over the roof so that is not it. A faulty drain field is not the problem unless it does get clogged and backs up, at which point it will still not smell under the house unless there is a leak or it actually backs up into your lowest drains first. Usually starting with your bath tubs because they are the lowest (as opposed to the sink or toilet).

You have a water seal J-trap or P-trap depending on what part of the country you are in where the water sits in that trap creating a water seal which prevents any smell or dangerous gasses from entering your home. If the system backs up it could displace your clean water seal with raw sewerage water and you would get smell.

I vote for a leak. The most probable is at the toilet flange where there is a wax seal. I been in too many homes where the toilet rocks. Well in due time it will leak. You must get under that house. When you get under there with your flashlight have some one flush the toilet on your command. If nothing then have them turn on the sinks one at a time. Keep your eyes open.

You might even see the tell tale sign of leakage without even dumping water down the drain. If you are smelling it then it has been leaking for quite some time.

Good luck.

[Driller1]

The vent should go over the house however, I have seen homes where it did not. Mine was only three foot high. I just drove a lager pipe over it to get it 10 foot.

I am used to dealing with where the water comes from, the well, rather than where it goes. LOL

[sks5308]

we are having a septic smell coming from under our house? what could be causing it? none of our drains, sinks etc are stopped up

[cattii]

I have raw sewage smell that comes out of the vent on the roof . I have taken a hose and put it in the black pipe on the roof. Its fine for a day or so then the smell returns. I havr heard the city is is working on the sewer system. What do you suggest i do to fix this problem.