We moved into our house July 2010. After being here for half a year, now every time after we do laundry, the house smells of rotten eggs. We are on a well and the finger system is 2 years old. I have to pumps, one to the front of the house on its own pump to pump away from the house. Then a pump in the back of the house that connects to the washer. Both of the pumps smell of rotten egg. When we had all the ice in Indiana, our back yard was frozen and flooded. But I am not sure if it flooded from the rain or from the system. No other yard was as wet as our back yard. Is something wrong with our finger system? We are leasing the house and wanting to get out of the lease HELP!

If you are leasing the property you really need to look at the fine print of your agreement. You also need somebody to look at the problem on site to be sure that your septic is operating properly. We can only do so much from this side of things.

By finger system are you referring to a septic system with a field? Does running a hot shower cause the smell too? Rotten egg smells can be caused by bacteria in a water heater (sulfate-reducing bacteria ) which can also be caused by a failed anode in the heater. Drain water directly from your water heater drain spigot into a bucket. Put your head over the bucket and drap a towel over you head down around the bucket, getting the same smell?

I was considering going in that direction, also. Usually if the bacteria is HWT related , people smell it immediately when showering or running the dishwasher. The rotten egg smell in both pump pits can indicate more than one possible issue. Saturated field, back up or sludge in drain line and pit, improperly sealed or poorly vented pit. All of the above? As I said before, read the lease agreement or call the property owner. If you mess with something that isn't your responsibility, you may end up owning it. In PA, even if you sign an agreement, the landlord is responsible for all of the structure, plumbing, electrical and HVAC and must give permission before any work is done on the property. Tenants cannot authorize work or payment. Tenants can only be responsible for clogs as long as the pipes are in good condition. I'm not a lawyer, check with somebody before you go messing with tanks, pits or pumps.