How do you get rid of bad smells from toilet septic tank.


Keeping your toilet, drain and sink clean are always of utmost important while cleaning your bathroom, but more often than not we tend to forget to clean the place where all your waste goes - the septic tank. The septic tank is where all the waste is broken down and stored, but due to the number of antibacterial cleansers used, there aren’t sufficient bacteria in the septic tank that can eat away at the waste. Thus, individual septic tanks can sometimes develop an odor when the pH levels are too acidic. Septic tank odor can be disgusting, and if the stench is too strong it can make you nauseous. Homeowners who experience the dilemma of a stinky septic tank, just need to make sure that you take necessary steps to get rid of the smell before it gets worse.  

Getting rid of the sewer smell in your toilet:

  • Don’t pour more water than required. Pouring surplus water will flush the baking soda present in the septic tank out more quickly and shove excess waste that hasn’t been digested by the microorganisms outside the tank.
  • Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain or toilet at least once in 7 days to preserve good pH levels in your septic tank. Baking soda helps absorb odors and also acts as a cleaning agent when combined with white vinegar. This helps both clean and deodorize your septic tank.
  • Don’t throw things that won’t flush properly down your toilet like cigarette butts, coffee grounds, facial tissues, or plastic; the microorganisms will be unable to digest them and this will lead to a bad odor. Make sure you throw all this in the trash can.
  • Pour a bucket of hot water combined with many drops of dish soap down your septic drain. This not only helps flush the drain but the mixture of fresh water with soap aids in getting rid of and covering up the septic tank odor.
  • Tip a cup of white vinegar into the drain. Vinegar is both a deodorizer and natural disinfectant that kills the bacteria present in your tank causing the bad odor. It also dispels any other odor occurring after the bacteria have been killed.
  • Take out the drain cover and clean it with hot water and soap. Use gloves and a scrub brush while removing sludge inside which could be a cause of the odor.
  • You can also clear your drain by plunging and pouring a drain cleaning agent to help get rid of clogs that could have caused the septic buildup. Unclogged drains will keep bad odors away.
  • Septic tank maintenance is very important, so make sure that you hire a professional septic tank cleaning service to come and get rid of all the accumulated waste every 3 to 5 years.
References:

  1. http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/septic/
  2. http://www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/septicmn.pdf
  3. http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/wastewater/yoursyst.htm

answered by G R

Try this remedy:

  • Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain. Let that sit for a few minutes and then pour with boiling water. Let sit for sometime and flush.
  • Your septic system should be used for disposing nothing other than toilet wastes and the water used for bathing, laundry, and dishwashing.
  • Regular maintenance of septic tanks is essential. Let a septic professional inspect your system every one to three years.
  • If you feel that your septic system is failing or want advice regarding its operation and condition, contact your local health department. They will guide you with information.
  • It is important to verify that the septic tank service contractor is reputed and has a state permit to handle and dispose off the material.

answered by P P


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