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A septic tank should be emptied about once every two to three years. The number of people in your household and the size of your tank can influence how often to pump the septic tank. The average septic tank size is about 1,250 gallons, so anything smaller may need to be pumped once every year or two.

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.

You could be smelling sewer gas in your kitchen because of a dry P-trap, clogged vent pipe, or leaking plumbing seals. If you smell a rotten egg odor, check your sink’s P-trap and plumbing connections first. A clogged or damaged vent pipe can trap sewer gas and push it back into your kitchen through the plumbing pipes. Loose or deteriorated seals around drainpipes can also allow sewer gas to leak out. If you can’t find the source, call a local plumber for expert help.

A septic system can fail for various reasons, and most commonly, excessive water use or sudden surges in wastewater can overwhelm the system's capacity. Neglecting regular maintenance, like tank pumping and inspections, can also lead to clogs, leaks, and eventual breakdowns. Other issues that lead to failure include age-related wear and tear, root infiltration, improper disposal of non-biodegradable materials or chemicals into the system, unsuitable soil conditions, physical damage, and even environmental factors like flooding or soil erosion.