Inside the septic tank sits a layer of sludge on the bottom, scum on top, and relatively clear water sandwiched between. We put your satisfaction, safety, and comfort at the forefront of our priority list. Try the dye test to see if it comes up in that water. As much as we love the rain, we have had homeowners ask why their home smells like sewage when it rains. This clog can cause your yard to smell like sewage but there also other signs that confirm a clog is the main issue. Yard smells like sewage AFTER sewer main was replaced. This mixture can produce some very bad smells and include sulfur dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and other gases. No 1. Septic tanks rely on anaerobic bacteria to break down waste. This is especially common in houses with basement drains, which rarely … The water pressure problems imposed by leaking sewer lines could also force your plumbing fixtures to clog … If your house smells like sewer when it rains, another possible culprit may be a dried-out water barrier in the sewer trap, which is usually caused by a lack of use. When I got home tonight I didn’t smell anything but wasn’t really paying attention. A dying lawn can indicate numerous problems with growing conditions. We would like to hear from you. It could be from broken natural gas or sewage lines, but no one knows for sure. When this happens, the tank can fill up and overflow, causing the sewage odor to come up through the ground. Then there’s the smell. This will properly rinse the drain and balance the water level … Good Luck! Usually the septic tank and any vents are placed in an area, such as your roof, out of the way of outdoor activities. Instead, they remain low to the ground and this causes a foul smell, more like rotten eggs. Under the metal grate is a water seal you can't see. What people probably don't expect is the smell of a sewer, either out on the street or in their house. This mixture can produce some very bad smells and include sulfur dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and other gases. Usually, when there is a percolation problem with the drainfield (clogging, roots, ground water saturation, etc. Please send us a message by filling out the form below and we will get back with you shortly. If your leak problem gets bad enough, your basement, yard, or whole home could end up smelling like raw sewage. After your septic tank is pumped, it needs time to refill with water. If there is a leak in the one of the lines - why would the smell only take place during the rain? Sometimes, either because of freezing temperatures or because the solids have caused a blockage, the drain field can become clogged, and the liquid cannot escape from the main tank as intended. My backyard smells horrible. During this period, the system is instead full of gases and vapors, which may seep up through drain's loose dirt. Inside the septic tank sits a layer of sludge on the bottom, scum on top, and relatively clear water sandwiched between. This leaves sewage in your home or yard and a terrible smell to go with it. For a while I thought it was a dead rodent (thats what it smells like), but after a few years that seemed very unlikely. Started noticing a slight possible sewage smell outside in my backyard about two days ago after some heavy rain. There is a septic system, but I had it pumped out just after moving in and the septic company said it … This clog can cause your yard to smell like sewage but there also other signs that confirm a clog is the main issue. The contractor said that is common for dirt that has just been dug up and that when the soil dries the odor will go away. Our yard tends to always stay moist and doesn't drain very well, so I am assuming that its bacteria growing in our yard from all of the moisture. We are open to safely serve you during this time. Our sewer is septic, which is in our back yard - I do not know the exact areas of the tank or the location and size of the drain field but I have my best guess. Now, this … Northern California’s Leading HVAC, Window, Plumbing, and Sewer Blog. The the past couple of days, my yard smells like sewage every once and a while and there is a puddle beginning to form in the backyard. Schedule an appointment today! But first, let’s explain why your home may be smelling like a sewer during the rainy season. ), septic water will bubble to the surface. The the past couple of days, my yard smells like sewage every once and a while and there is a puddle beginning to form in the backyard. Mike According to a number of storm chasers, including the late Tim Samaras, the air sometimes smells of a mix of sulfur and burning wood (like a freshly lit match) during a tornado. The smell is most pronounced when it is rainy. Normally, these gases work their way up the main drainage line to the venting system and out up through the roof. Even after you disinfect the problem area, sometimes the smell of sewage still lingers. Call today to schedule your next service! It has nothing to do with rain water, but rather atmospheric conditions when it rains. This can be a sign of issues with your septic system, which is a strong warning that repairs are needed or the septic tank needs to be replaced. If your drain field is clogged you might also see wet spots on your lawn like puddles or even sewage floating nearby as well. If your toilet smells like sewage, it could have a broken or loose seal. The plumbing roof vent and yard based septic vent is also a place where septic gases and sewer gases exit the system safely. In 1964, Bear and Thomas set about discovering what caused the distinctive rain smell by drying clay and extracting and analysing the oils they found therein. If waste has backed up into your home, clean up the mess as soon as possible. Home owners, with septic tank systems on site, often encounter problems relating to foul smells excreting from the tank. Use your nose to determine which one—it could be the drain of a toilet, sink, tub or shower. In most of the case, you should contact a professional septic company and let them take over the repair. It Could Be Backed Up … The lagoon’s stench is noticeable from the house. As the septic tank is used, waste continues to collect in the bottom of the septic tank. I put in a new sump pump, had the septic tank cleaned, and constantly check the two basement floor drains for any back-up, but nothing seems to stop the smell -- it goes away the day after the rain stops! I am guessing maybe this is just the beginning of a backup or could a pipe have busted? If you smell sewage within your home, it’s time to call a professional. After the rain stops and your house smells like sewer gas, you simply need to run water through all drains that you have in your house. It has nothing to do with rain water, but rather atmospheric conditions when it rains. How to Get Rid of Sewer Smell in House . The hydrogen sulfide in sewer gas … Your community is our community. When your house smells like sewer during a rainstorm or just after a rainstorm, that is a sign you have some plumbing issues. 1) Your septic tank smells when it rains because the air is heavy and does not allow the methane gases to take off through the vent. The smell will be faintly through the whole house but its strong in the MB. Your septic tank is a large, waterproof, concrete tank in the yard of your home. This septic tank vent is typically located somewhere in the yard near the liquid tank. Disinfect floors and other affected surfaces with the right cleaning solution to avoid health issues. We have two dogs that we clean up after regularly, but the soil smells horrible and the dogs bring it into the house on their feet. This is a question that many homeowners ask. When it rains water tend to run to the lowest point taking all the space up. Here I am again with an "old house" problem! The last two times it has rained continuously for more than a day I noticed a foul smell around my back yard. It's just embarassing because we rent out our room downstairs to a … Septic tanks rely on anaerobic bacteria to break down waste. Although these pipes rarely get damaged, a leak can still occur causing that sewage to leak and rise up from where the pipe and damage is located. It’s fairly easy to check - just get on all 4 and smell each floor drain, each sink, and so forth. The gas itself can be both non-toxic and toxic gases. Here I am again with an "old house" problem! If this is happening to you, don’t fret, there are steps you can take to prevent and avoid the smell. Let me try to explain this and hope it makes sense. Ultimately, a tank that has been properly designed and installed will have enough space for around three to five years of safe accumulation of waste. Sewer gas smell often comes from a floor drain like this one. If your yard smells like sewage this can be simply due to a lack of or an improperly placed ventilation system for your septic. Custodians and cleaning personnel need to pour a gallon of water into floor drains like this at least once a … It has not dried out as we are having regular rains. Your septic tank is a large, waterproof, concrete tank in the yard of your home. We have two dogs that we clean up after regularly, but the soil smells horrible and the dogs bring it into the house on their feet. Usually, a quick fix from your plumber can solve the problem. It comprises a mixture of gases, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and more. There’s a water trap in each, where water blocks the smell from the pipes. However, it usually smells just like sewer water. Sometimes, either because of freezing temperatures or because a solid has caused a blockage, the drain field can become clogged, and the liquid cannot escape from the main tank properly. The forefront of our priority list the waste has less time to call a professional large... 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