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Best Septic Tank Odor Neutralizers
Over 40 million homes use a septic system or onsight waste disposal system on their property. Unfortunately, at times some homeowners can experience a foul septic odor coming from their septic tank. But, don’t fret in this article, we will discuss the best ways to easily, quickly, and safely neutralize septic tank odors.
If you are in a hurry and are just looking to pick up our top recommendation to help you reduce septic smells, check out Septifix which can neutralize odors in as little as 3-5 days. You can learn more about Septifix in our full product review.
If you believe your smell is coming from a problem that can’t be solved by adding enzymes, consider calling 1.855.925.0760 for a local septic service provider or requesting a quote online here.
You can also watch this video if you prefer.
What Could Be The Cause Of Septic Tank Odor
Before we talk about how we reduce septic tank odors, let’s discuss what could be causing the septic smell to start with.
Septic Tank Enzymes
The right balance of bacteria and enzymes is very important to keep your septic system working properly. If your septic tank isn’t maintaining the proper balance, you may experience odors. So, what can you do? You can add more bacteria and enzymes through enzyme tablets and liquid supplements.
Using Septic Tank Enzymes can help break down waste materials so they can be removed through your plumbing systems and treated with other chemicals that help remove bad smells such as sulfur compounds and ammonia gases.
We highly recommend Septifix.
SEPTIFIX is the ONLY oxygen releasing septic tank treatment on the US market that contains 6 times more live aerobic bacteria per gram than any other competitor – even people who have used another septic tank treatment will switch to SEPTIFIX.
Each of our 55 grams tablets contains 14 strains of aerobic bacteria – over 10 billion bacteria strains per gram, oxygenation, and pH regulating compounds that safely and effectively boost the growth of bacteria colonies inside your septic tank, allowing them to thrive for up to 90 days.
You can find a list of septic enzyme alternatives here.
Check if Your Septic Tank is Full
If your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped, it can cause backups and odors to build up. Please call the nationwide septic service number to get connected to a local service provider.
Read this article to learn the most common warning signs that your septic tank is full.
Check Your P-Traps and Floor Drains
P-traps and floor drains can cause odors, but not as quickly or easily as a toilet. If you notice that your drains are smelling bad, then it is likely caused by the seal around them rusting. This happens because metal dissolves in water over time, and when it comes in contact with water vapor from the sewer system or carpet fibers from your house, it begins to corrode. Once this corrosion reaches an area where there are no pipes or tubes attached to it, then the odor becomes noticeable.
Check Your Roof Vents
The vent stack is an air-exchange device that allows excess moisture and odors to escape from the plumbing system while still maintaining a watertight seal around the drain pipe.
Learn more about septic vent pipes here.
How to Get Rid of Septic Tank Odor
The most common way of reducing septic tank smells is to have your septic tank pumped.
Pump your septic tank- The most common fix to your septic smell is to simply have your septic tank pumped.
If you would like to find a local septic tank company in your area please visit our state-by-state septic company directory.
Or simply consider calling 1.855.925.0760 for a local septic service provider or requesting a quote online here.
What Can You Use To Neutralize Septic Tank Odor?
Add a Septic Enzyme
High-quality enzyme treatments can break down access sludge and waste in your septic tank. Using Septifix can actually reduce the need for pumping entirely while eliminating odors is as quick as 3-5 days.
Handling Septic Tank Smells
You can also try a few simple things to make living with your septic smell more tolerable. This isn’t our first recommendation as lingering issues can become bigger issues over time if they are left untreated.
Try using an Activated Carbon Cover
An activated carbon cover works by absorbing odors and gases produced by the decay of organic matter, such as urine or feces. This can help reduce the amount of odor that is released into your home. While it may not eliminate all odors, it will significantly reduce them in your living area.
Odors Caused by Improper Tank Chemistry
Proper septic tank chemistry is very important to your septic tank’s operation.
If your septic tank is over the “normal” range and you have a strong hydrogen sulfide gas odor, it’s time to call in a professional.
Microbes in septic tanks break down waste solids to prevent a foul odor. In order to do this, they must have a pH level between 6.8 and 7.6. If the pH level becomes too acidic (acidic) then hydrogen sulfide gas can develop as these microbes die and their rotting waste breaks down into hydrogen sulfide that mixes with oxygen in the air creating an unpleasant rotten egg smell.
Never flush the non-organic waste down the toilet, such as cigarette butts, feminine hygiene products, and trash. Don’t pour fats, oils, coffee grounds, cleaning products, or paints into your sink or tub drains. These can disrupt sewage breakdown inside the tank and cause a foul odor.
Adding a cup of baking soda to a sink drain or toilet once a week will help maintain the correct pH level in the septic tank.
Septifix can also help break down and eliminate all organic sludge from septic tanks, including natural oils, grease, and organic hydrocarbons.
Odor Causes By Location
There can also be different causes and remedies for different septic tank smells. Most of the time you can narrow down the cause of the odors by where they originate from.
Let’s take a look at a few other common areas or ways your septic tank might be emitting a nasty smell.
Odors Near The Septic Tank On The Outside The Home
If you have a septic tank odor outside your house, it could be a sign that there is a leak in the septic system. The smell can also indicate that there is an issue with the tank itself. To determine if this is true, it’s important to check for visible cracks or leaks along the sides of the tank and make sure there are no clogs in your drain lines.
If your septic tank smells when it rains, please check out this article.
Leach Field Odors
There are many possible causes of septic leach field odors. One of the most common is a problem with your septic system’s effluent pump or effluent separator. This part of your system removes solids and liquids that come out during the treatment process. If it fails to do its job properly, then you will start to smell sewage in your yard or home.
Conclusion
Septic tank odors are common but not necessary. They can be eliminated in most instances by simply pumping your septic tank if it is full, or by adding a high-quality septic enzyme that can neutralize odors like Septifix .
If you are in need of a septic tank professional please 1.855.925.0760 for a local septic service provider or request a quote online here.
