My home smells and I have a septic system

Gale Nix
by Gale Nix
it does not stink all the time . we have slab home it is just about 10 years old. but mostly I have noticed when we get a rain I can smell it in the one bathroom . it is terrible. if we needed to clean out the septic would it not give is trouble flushing? I just don't know what to do or check I just know it is terrible!!can anyone tell me where to start checking?
  4 answers
  • BulkHomeBuyers BulkHomeBuyers on Nov 08, 2013
    Chances are that if it is only happening when it rains, your drain field is being saturated and the septic system is not going to function properly. I bet that the bathroom with the issues is the closest one to the septic tank and it is backing up to that point. We had so much rain in the spring here in GA that this happened to a few of my rentals. Go ahead and pump out the tank, especially if you have not done it in the last 3-5 years. It will be $$ well spent. ( costs about $400 here) You may have some blockage from the tank to the field lines which is restricting the flow also. Good luck
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Nov 09, 2013
    Call in a professional! If this backs up into your house, a concrete slab will absorb odor and will be almost impossible to remove the odor and very costly! You could have an inadequate drainage field either by size or too much rock or clay. Do not put this off!
  • Paula A Paula A on Nov 09, 2013
    Have your water checked first to see if you have sulfur in it. It gives off a horrible smell also make sure all your vents are free of any debris as his can be plugged by bees, birds, etc. and then the smell does not escape out into the air like it should outside. If these are not the problem then call a reputable plumber or 2 and see what they have to say. Get opinions and prices 1st before doing anything though. Good luck---I know because we have smelly water and it is horrible.
  • Denise Denise on Nov 02, 2014
    Hi, I am having a very similar issue. We have been in our house for almost a year. We are not on a slab, but effects only certain bathrooms and not all of them. It is worse when it rains also. Did you ever resolve your issue. We have had multiple plumbers out as well as septic guys. No one seems to know the answer. We have changed the traps under sinks to larger ones. Snaked the vents from the roof down, no cracks or leaks that were visible. So frustrating. No one seems to know what it is?