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    MikeOnTheRanch's Avatar
    MikeOnTheRanch Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 3, 2009, 11:22 PM
    Sewage Smell Blues
    Ya, I got them real bad. Here's the story as best I know.

    I bought a ranch about 5 years ago, complete with a fine well and a septic tank with a cracked baffle wall. About 8 months ago, I notice a STRONG sewage smell out in my yard. After quick investigation, nothing died as I had suspected... no turns out I ripped open my septic tank with the tractor. (Actually it was a friend, but I place blame on myself for not pointing out the stakes with flags meant don't drive here)

    While standing over the pit of doom, trying not to breath through my nose, it dawned on me that it was full up and time to pump the tank. What timing! Had the tank pumped just fine, but the fine tank mechanic needed a couple days to order the correct fitting lid.

    The next day I awoke to a STRONG sewage smell in the corner bathroom that is nearest the tank. This bathroom has only a shower. I promptly plugged up the drain and the next bathtub down the line began to smell. I realized that because the tank had no lid and winds were high... that air was making its way from the tank to the house. So I got the lid the next day and fixed up the opening, then piled dirt and bingo... all was well.

    About 5 dryas ago that back corner shower began to stink again. Due to some improvements, I have been using this shower for about a month and a half. Each day for the past 5 days, it's getting worse.

    I have inspected outside... no tractor mayhem or any other sort of damage.

    So I guess I'm asking for my plan of attack. Need I be concerned with bleach if I have a septic tank? I heard someone say that kills the good bacteria in the tank. So it appears I have several options, yet I am unsure what the proper order is. Clean the hair/junk in the drain, Flush the toilet a handful of times, listen for gurgling, check for bubbles, empty some large tubs of hot water, snake the drain, check the valvles.

    Can someone give me a roadmap? I'd hate to have to sell the ranch...

    Thanks,
    Mike
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #2

    Mar 4, 2009, 08:24 AM

    Hey Mike, don't worry about the bleach. Every time you flush solid you more than replenish what bleach can kill. I would start by rodding the vent stack from the roof. Use enough rod to reach roof top to foundation plus 20'. If this does not solve the issue let me know and we can go to the next step.
    MikeOnTheRanch's Avatar
    MikeOnTheRanch Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Mar 4, 2009, 04:23 PM
    Thank you. I'll give it a go. Well perhaps I should ask... I know very little of plumbing.

    When you say rod the vent stack. Does that mean... I go down to home depot, tell the guy I need to rod my vent stack in one of my bathrooms and since it's first floor, I'll need to cover about 30 feet. Then take the device he gives me, with some directions and head up on the roof.. then shove the rod deal down the vent until I hit the 30 feet or so? Then back it out slowly and clean up the mess??

    Thanks,
    Mike
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #4

    Mar 4, 2009, 09:08 PM

    Hey Mike, HD rents a sewer rodder, it's electric so have an extension cord. You go on the roof and rod down the open vent stack. This is usually a 2-4" pipe sticking out throiugh the roof. Stick your nose over it and it will identify itself. LOL
    MikeOnTheRanch's Avatar
    MikeOnTheRanch Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Mar 5, 2009, 01:34 PM
    Looks like a prefect Sunday chore... Thanks, I'll report back on Monday.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #6

    Mar 5, 2009, 02:51 PM

    Get enough rod length to reach roof top to basement floor plus 20'
    MikeOnTheRanch's Avatar
    MikeOnTheRanch Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Mar 16, 2009, 09:09 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1 View Post
    Get enough rod length to reach roof top to basement floor plus 20'
    Worked like a charm. Sorry for the delay. You'd think I would have been in a hurry... lol. Thanks for the tip!!

    Mike

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