Properly-functioning septic tanks should do their job invisibly– that means there shouldn’t be any septic tank odor in the basement or anywhere else. The biggest tip-off that your system isn’t working properly is a septic smell. Basement septic smells are by far the worst. But that septic tank smell in the basement is actually the least of your worries– a dysfunctional system can be dangerous and costly to repair. Septikos® is designed to get rid of septic tank smell and keep your system running efficiently–without chemicals that damage the environment.
Is a basement septic tank smell normal?
No, if your septic tank is well-maintained and running properly, it should be odor-free. Any septic smell in the basement is a bad sign. The septic tank smell homeowners sometimes complain about is caused by gases in the system that build up when the septic tank environment is too acidic. You want a PH level of around 6.8 to 7.6 to keep the beneficial microbes working hard to digest your waste. If it drops down below that, pathogens can thrive, creating a distinct and unwelcome septic smell.
Maintaining your septic system protects your investment and ensures its function for years to come. Septic smell in the basement is unpleasant, but it is also a red flag alerting you that it’s time to give your system a much-needed boost. Using Septikos® on a monthly basis is an easy, inexpensive way to keep septic tank smell to a minimum and to keep your septic tank operating optimally. For as little as $10 a month, Septikos® can help increase the efficiency of your tank, naturally without harsh chemicals.
Why does my basement smell like a septic tank?
When your septic tank odor is noticeable in a basement, it’s a sign that your system is off-balance. One of the most critical parts of a septic tank is the bacterial ecosystem inside the tank. Microbes are working night and day to break down solid waste, and they rely on certain conditions to thrive. Proper tank chemistry keeps beneficial microbes healthy and cuts down on any septic tank smell.
If the PH of your tank is off, it can harm the helpful bacteria and slow down or stop the breakdown of solids in the tank. A low PH (acidic conditions) will allow harmful, odor-producing microorganisms to reproduce. When that happens, you may begin to detect some septic tank smells in the basement. In outdoor spaces, a septic smell is the first sign of a septic system issue.
What does a septic tank smell in the basement mean?
No septic tank smell is good, but septic smell in the basement is especially unpleasant. Sometimes, septic tank smells in bathroom and drain areas are a sign of a full tank, but often the septic smell is the result of a backup in the system. Backups can be caused by a buildup of fats, oils, and grease in the system. Excessive water use can also flush out the beneficial bacteria in the system, leading to a backup of solids.
The important thing to remember is that your septic system is both mechanical and biological, and when you support one part you also support the other. Septikos® works to break down sludge in the septic tank, keeping everything moving along as it should. It also destroys harmful, odor-producing bacteria, allowing the good bugs to do their job.
If there is no septic tank odor outside but you’re still experiencing septic tank smells in a bathroom, you may have a plumbing issue. Check the wax seal on your toilet. A dried-out seal can cause the septic smell to waft into the house from around the base of the toilet. Fortunately, it’s quick and easy to repair.
Do I need to have my septic tank pumped out to get rid of the septic smell?
Sometimes a septic tank smell in the basement is caused by a full tank, but there are many other reasons a tank can have an odor. When you begin to detect a septic smell in the basement, the first thing you should do is to apply a septic tank treatment and give it 48 hours to get to work.
If a septic tank treatment doesn’t clear the septic smell outside, make sure that the septic tank manhole is securely covered and sealed. Clogged plumbing vent pipes or very still days with little wind movement can cause a septic smell to linger near vent pipe outlets.
Pumping out your septic tank is not only expensive, but it also gets rid of the good with the bad– the microorganisms you need will have to be re-established after a pumping. A well-maintained septic tank can function smoothly for years–saving you time and money.
