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Yes, states and municipalities require septic tank companies to be licensed, so an unlicensed  individual or company cannot complete a septic tank installation or alteration. Most municipalities also require licenses for septic tank pumping. You should always verify that the company you’re considering for your septic tank project is properly licensed, which you can do by using Angi’s licensing search tool. You should also verify that the company is fully insured to avoid legal issues should an employee be injured on your property.

A septic smell may be harmful because sewer gas is dangerous depending on the exposure amount and length of time. Sewer gas is made up of multiple gases, including hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. Some of these gases, like hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, are toxic to humans and can be fatal in high concentrations or long exposures.

A septic tank should be emptied approximately once every three to five years, though this frequency will vary depending on your water usage, the size of your tank, how many people are in your home, and other factors. A maintenance plan for your septic system may be useful for professional emptying and inspection of other important parts.

You may be able to neutralize septic tank odors by flushing about 1 cup of baking soda down the toilet weekly, although the best option to banish odors is to have the septic tank pumped regularly, about once every three to five years. 

To minimize odors, only flush human waste and toilet paper in the toilet, and avoid pouring coffee grounds, fats, oils, or grease down the drains, as this could cause clogs. Rather than trying to neutralize a septic tank odor, you should hire a pro to determine the source of the smell, since sewage gas can be toxic.