I've read from other posts that this is a venting problem, but I'm not sure how to resolve this problem. When the sump pump runs, the kitchen sink gurgles, and we get a sewer gas smell. Do I need to check the vent on the roof? If so, how do I do that? Do I need the kithcen line snaked? What exactly is that and what is the difference between snaking and rodding? Thanks.

I've read from other posts that this is a venting problem, but I'm not sure how to resolve this problem. When the sump pump runs, the kitchen sink gurgles, and we get a sewer gas smell. Do I need to check the vent on the roof? If so, how do I do that? Do I need the kithcen line snaked? What exactly is that and what is the difference between snaking and rodding? Thanks.


Snaking and rodding mean the same thing. Before there was cable,(snake) and motors to drive them we had "sewer tapes" that were spring steel and we, in fact, had to "rod" a sewer.
Follow me on this. While the house vents just pull air in the sump vent works both ways. When you flush into the holding tank it pushes air out of the vent, and when the pump kicks in and pumps out of the holding tank it creates a vacuum. I would began checking the sunp vent for blockage. The air generated by the discharge entering the holding tank has to go somewhere and if it can't vent out the vent from the tank then it seeks to vent through the kitchen sink. Good luck, Tom

How do I go about checking the sump vent? Someone told us we just need to install a check valve?

How do I go about checking the sump vent? Someone told us we just need to install a check valve?

You can not install a check valve in a holding tank vent. It vents both ways, in and out. While the house vents just pull air in the sump vent works both ways. When you flush into the holding tank it pushes air out of the vent, and when the pump kicks in and pumps out of the holding tank it creates a vacuum. I would began checking the sunp vent for blockage. The air generated by the discharge entering the holding tank has to go somewhere and if it can't vent out the vent from the tank then it seeks to vent through the kitchen sink. The vent should be clear from the roof to the tank. The only way to check it is to drop a snake down the vent. Regards, Tom