Occasional septic smell when washing machine is used

calista77 · #1 Jan 11, 2008, 04:06 PM

Our house is a 3 year old split entry with the laundry room in the basement. In the last 2 months I've noticed a strong septic odor coming from the laundry room but only once in a while...maybe every 3 out of 7 washes. The septic tank (1000L) was pumped in September and this is the only area in the house where the smell is located. The smell, when it comes, disappears after a few hours. We have all the proper plumbing connections, p traps, etc. I've tried putting vinegar in the washing machine (full cycle, hot water) but the smell keeps returning. We do have a vent on the roof of the house, it is all up to code and isn't blocked. Can you think of anything else that it might be?

doug238 · Jan 12, 2008, 05:57 AM

what else is connected to that line?

calista77 · Jan 12, 2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calista77

Our house is a 3 year old split entry with the laundry room in the basement. In the last 2 months I've noticed a strong septic odor coming from the laundry room but only once in a while...maybe every 3 out of 7 washes. The septic tank (1000L) was pumped in September and this is the only area in the house where the smell is located. The smell, when it comes, disappears after a few hours. We have all the proper plumbing connections, p traps, etc. I've tried putting vinegar in the washing machine (full cycle, hot water) but the smell keeps returning. We do have a vent on the roof of the house, it is all up to code and isn't blocked. Can you think of anything else that it might be?

There is a laundry tub that is connected as well...

doug238 · Jan 12, 2008, 05:23 PM

i sat here for 20 minutes pondering this. the only thing that could smell would be 1- a spill, 2- a backup, 3- no trap, 4- a leak inside or behind the machine, 5- a dead critter, or a clogged vent. other than that i am not thinking of it right now.



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