A common statement we hear from our customers, especially in the winter-time, is “We’re getting really strong sewer-like smells in the house.”  They usually follow by asking if their septic tank needs to be pumped.  While at times this can be a sign of the tank & system needing attention, odors often have nothing to do with the level in the tank itself.  When a customer calls with this complaint, there are two things we recommend they do.

First (and especially important in the winter), run some water down any sinks or drains that aren’t being used on a regular basis.  This includes floor drains in the basement.  In Wisconsin, our cold and dry winter air can cause the P-traps in the home’s plumbing to dry up, allowing odors from the septic tank to escape through sinks and drains.  If odors are very bad, and the P-traps seem to be the issue, some customers will add a small amount of a cleaner, like Pine-Sol to the water.

Second, check the plumbing vent on the roof.  Leaves and other debris can clog these vents throughout the year.  During winter, the vents can also freeze shut.  Put simply, with a plugged or frozen vent, the flow of air in the plumbing is interrupted and causes odors to remain in the house.  (The roof vent can also cause occasional odors in the house or yard, anytime throughout the year, due to the direction of airflow around the house and wind direction.  A steep roof and low vent location can contribute to this problem.)

If you’re experiencing occasional odors at your home, try these suggestions.  Feel free to give us a call if you have further questions!