septic smell

[TiltonBB]

If all else fails you could call this company and have them send their septic truck and have it pumped!

I was waiting in line last week for the Woods hole Ferry to Martha's Vineyard and saw this plate on a septic truck. Who thinks this stuff up?

OK sorry (Not sorry) for the hijack!

[ApS]

Interesting that the later (and mandated) septic systems have a name: enviroseptic. The early systems were anaerobic; meaning, they were sealed from the oxygen in the surrounding air. On the roof, small vent pipes keep pressures even.

These new ones appear to have large PVC "candy canes" to vent the system's contents.

Our neighbors' systems are "shared", and certain wind directions bring the odors to us.

Fortunately, the odors have been much reduced, although the reason is lost in time. It seems the problem was worse when new--ten years ago.

I'd suggest painting the "candy canes" in camouflage colors to reduce that visual reminder.

[TheTimeTraveler]

From my experience in having a system installed in 1989 we only had to have one of those outside "candy cane" vent pipes installed if the system was above our basement bathroom.

Since I am on a hill everything (including the basement bathroom) easily flows downhill, so an outside "candy cane" pipe was not needed.

I agree that all those outside candy cane vent pipes should be painted in either dark green or black to better blend in with the landscaping. Actually, I believe they make those PVC pipes in black (as well as white).

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

From my experience in having a system installed in 1989 we only had to have one of those outside "candy cane" vent pipes installed if the system was above our basement bathroom.

Since I am on a hill everything (including the basement bathroom) easily flows downhill, so an outside "candy cane" pipe was not needed.

I agree that all those outside candy cane vent pipes should be painted in either dark green or black to better blend in with the landscaping. Actually, I believe they make those PVC pipes in black (as well as white).

Yes, those “candy canes” are pretty hideous and I always thought if I had to “own” one, I would plant a shrub or something to cover it.
I also call them “s*#t snorkels”

[Little Bear]

https://presbyeco.com/product/create...-granite-post/

[Wifi-1]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

https://presbyeco.com/product/create...-granite-post/

Some camo tape might be cheaper and still maintain the uniqueness

[Dad sold the C * C]

This has been an interesting thread. Our tank is downhill from the house, but then pumps up 200 feet to the leaching field. The system is in its 6 season of use and works great, we had it pumped last year and they said it looked good.

The only issue we have is once the pump stops the 200 ft of pipe drains back into the tank, thus forcing fumes out the vent on the tank. So then we get some smell that lingers. I wonder if the charcoal filter would work in this situation.

Our installer painted the vents on the leaching field with brown paint and it blends in nicely.

[MRD]

We had a similar issue with material back flowing into our holding tank. The septic company put a baffle or valve that prevented the material from flowing back into the tank. This solved our problem.

[fatlazyless]

Satellite septic pump systems like yours always have a $25 check or flapper valve installed in the line just above the pump that keeps all the septic semi liquid waste from return flowing back downhill like a siphon drain.

Heavy rain fall soaking the leach field above can cause a system to drain down especially when the leach field turns into a large frozen puddle.

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Satellite septic pump systems like yours always have a $25 check or flapper valve installed in the line just above the pump that keeps all the septic semi liquid waste from return flowing back downhill like a siphon drain.

The septic installer drilled a hole in the flapper valve, so the water would slowly drain out of the pipe between the holding tank and the leach field. This is so that if we're gone for a few months in the winter, we don't end up with a pipe full of frozen effluent. We have the vent pipe both at the leach field and holding tank, but no odor in 12 years.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Who thinks this stuff up?

Simply truth in advertising!
If you’ve ever hovered over an open septic tank cover....it’s STINKY!