Get matched with top aquarium service pros in Powers, MI

Septic tank odors can happen because of a few different issues with your septic system, such as a full tank, clogged drains, or blocked venting systems. Not only is a smelly septic tank pretty unpleasant, but it can also pose a potential hazard to yourself and your home. Toxic fumes could be hanging around, or untreated wastewater could be harming the environment.

Depending on the home, wastewater either goes into a septic tank and seeps back into the backyard or is sent via sewer system to a local sewage-treatment plant. Septic systems naturally separate different components of the waste so that it can naturally and safely disperse it. They are usually reserved for homes not served by a municipal sewage department (like rural homes). A treatment plant, on the other hand, speeds up that process through screening and purification.

You can check your own septic tank, but take precautions. Locate the access lid, usually buried a few inches underground, and remove it carefully. Look for the sludge and scum levels, and if they’re high, that means pumping may be necessary. Check for odors, slow drains, or pooling water around the drain field, which could indicate issues. Never enter the tank, as toxic gases can be fatal. All of that being said, a professional inspection is safer and more thorough.

It is not normal to smell your septic outside and indicates a problem such as an unsealed manhole or access lid, a clogged septic line, a faulty vent stack, or the need for a septic tank pumping. If sewage is leaking from your septic system, it can be hazardous to you, your family, pets, and the surrounding environment. You can troubleshoot the issue yourself, or contact a septic tank pro who can resolve the issue quickly.