We have two issues which are causing us worry. First, we just had the pump in our septic tank replaced. Since then, we have the smell of septic in our downstairs 1/2 bath. The smell is ONLY in this bathroom and has just started since the pump was replaced. We had the septic people come back out and they said everything was fine with the tank, the level was perfect, and the "cleanout" trap or vent or whatever he called it is clean with no backup. So, he said everything is fine but we still have the smell and only in that one bathroom. The second issue is one we've been dealing with for some time and that is our toilets "stop up" quite often seemingly for no reason. Sometimes you flush it, even with no solids in it, and nothing goes down. It's almost as if there is an air bubble or vapor lock holding it up. A quick plunge takes care of it but it's really quire annoying that it happens so often. Any help is greatly appreciated - thank you.

Has the vent been snaked from the roof?

A stopped up vent from that bathroom could cause the symptoms your describing.
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You can always have the sewer system videoed to see if there are problems.

Tell me about this pump, is it a lift pump to a field higher than the tank? I think KISS is giving you a good place to start with rodding the vent.

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Tell me about this pump, is it a lift pump to a field higher than the tank? I think KISS is giving you a good place to start with rodding the vent.

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Thanks guys. Yes, it is a lift pump to a higher drainfield. The vent in the bathroom is a fan type vent. The smell "seems" to be coming from the toilet itself or possibly from the sink drain. I did remove and replace the toilet a couple of weeks ago, could the wax seal be the culprit? The smell didn't start until after the pump was replaced though and I R&R'd the toilet the week before that.

The "vent" iI'm speaking of, is the pipes that stick out of the roof. The one you care about is the one that appears closest to the toilet, but exits the roof.

The traps like the one integral in the toilet is supposed to keep the sewer gas out of the bathroom. In order to "flush" something you have to follow the solids with some air. The air comes from the vent on the roof.

If the vent is plugged, then the sewer gas can't follow the path of least resistance like the vent pipe and it will come out the toilet.

Animals, birds can block a vent. Sometimes a simple way of unclogging a vent is to use a garden hose from the roof. Snaking from the roof is another, but you have to be careful not to loose the snake.

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Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

The "vent" iI'm speaking of, is the pipes that stick out of the roof. The one you care about is the one that appears closest to the toilet, but exits the roof.

The traps like the one integral in the toilet is supposed to keep the sewer gas out of the bathroom. In order to "flush" something you have to follow the solids with some air. The air comes from the vent on the roof.

If the vent is plugged, then the sewer gas can't follow the path of least resistance like the vent pipe and it will come out the toilet.

Animals, birds can block a vent. Sometimes a simple way of unclogging a vent is to use a garden hose from the roof. Snaking from the roof is another, but you have to be careful not to loose the snake.

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Where does this "pipe" come in to the bathroom? Does it come into the plumbing under the house? Right about the same time our septic pump died, we had a terrible clog in the downstairs toilet that started by one of my daughters flushing a popsicle stick and then following it with a roll of charmin. We couldn't plunge that backup loose to save our lives. That is why I removed the toilet, I had to get to the bottom side of it to manually (ugh!) remove the clog Could that clog/backup have also affected the vent pipe? I can get to the pipes on the roof, should I just haul the hose up there and "flush" it out? If so, is that all there is to it or do I need to take any precaution so as not to flood anything else? Thanks again for all your help!

This link should help a lot: How a Flush Toilet Works...Page 5

The pipe is usually in the wall near the toilet and goes straight to the roof. It may only be 2" in diameter.

Note, it doesn't recommend the hose. I don't think, I'd use the hose either in your situation. Use a snake from the roof vent.

That clog could have very well affected the vent pipe.

Glad we got that vent issue straightened out, when I read you were thinking of the exhaust fan instead of the vent I had a little chuckle, sorry. Rod from the roof is best. I know lots of people that just dump a 5 gallon bucket down the pipe but I rod.