[ben1216]

septic smell only/always in cold weather

Have never smelled this when it was any warmer than around 60deg.

Whenever we take a shower mainly or it could even take a flush of the toilet.

It takes it about 15-20minutes and the smells appears in the basement. I had a smoke test done and it was coming out of my trap threads and also between the floor and the wall where the drainage pipe should be leaving the house.

From this I have the theory it is cracked or separates at the wall. We taped the threads so it doesn't come out anymore. The smell is still there though.I checked the vent pipe and it is clear.

I had the septic cleaned and didn't help. This happens every day in the winter time and never smell it in the summer. This is not a cold front or easterly wind situation.

I understand if its cracked we might be smelling something but why is there enough pressure to push the gas out of the trap threads. Had the basement drains power snaked as well.

I plan on digging out by the wall and replacing the connection there. I am certain that is a problem I want fixed.

I don't believe thfere r traps in the floor either. My house is about 50-60years old. Please help me. I'm about to make a really big mess with a wet cement saw. Relay pvc and put traps in. I started digging on the outside wall and ok about 5 courses down and have not found the pipe yet. Is this this running through my footer? My septic is prob 5 ft out from my house.

Any more questions I Havnt answered ask and I will answer so u can help me better. Thank u very much.

 

[ben1216]

Bump...anybody's opinion appreciated. The wife is on me to fix this for this winter. I don't want to get more involved than i have to. Thank you.

 

[oh'mike]

I edited your post,as I could not read it.

Answer this ---is the existing drain system iron?

 

[oh'mike]

Can you post a picture or two?

 

[ben1216]

Yes. The existing drain is black iron.

 

[DexterII]

Ben, based on the details that you have provided, it sounds like you are on the right track, although, as Mike said, some pictures might help. And, just to get a handle on the elevations, a view of the exterior might help as well, or if you can somehow indicate grade on a picture from inside the basement. Have you considered having it scoped though? In my opinion, this is a perfect case in which a picture could not only be worth a thousand words, but maybe several thousand dollars, as well as the accompanying aches and pains. Not that it would eliminate the frustration that I assume you are feeling, but seeing where the problem does or does not lie could perhaps save a whole lot of time, effort, and money. Regardless, be careful any time that you are digging, even three or four feet; I have a good friend who fortunately is still around to attest to the fact that banks come in fast.

 

[ben1216]

i will try to post some pics. been using this site on my phone since my comp just crashed. see if i can work it out. so some ext pics and something of the inside.

 

[LateralConcepts]

If the smell still persists after making the repairs found during the smoke test, it could be that in times of low pressure you're getting smells coming off the vent stacks on the roof. The way to remedy that would be charcoal filtration caps on each of your vents.

 

[ben1216]

Smell starts from the basement floor only. I think I just need to install traps before the lines potrude out of the floor. Right b4 the ckeanouts.