From: sam@wa4phy.ampr.org (Sam Drinkard)
Subject: Re: new septic system odors: advice wanted
Organization: Unix Business Solutions
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 21:25:14 GMT

Nonsense.  Any new installation that has any odor is most likely improperly
installed.  I installed/cleaned/repaird septic tank and drain fields for
nearly 20 years, and there is only a few things that can cause odor to
get back in the house from ANY system, new or old.  The most likely cause
is the lack of a TEE at either the inlet side of the septic tank, or the
lack of a TEE at the distribution box.  Other causes can, but are not
usually seen, are vent pipes obstructed, or even not high enough off the
roof, however the wind has to be just right and that is a rare occurance.
I suspect if you are having odors, you can find out where they are coming 
from, but it takes a bit of effort.  First, locate some smoke bombs used
for testing plumbing.  Some are colored red, others colored green.  You
didn't mention if your house was on a slab, or if you have crawl space, 
so I will assume, for this case, slab.  Check your floor drains if you
have any in the bathrooms.  Use a candle to see if you have air movement.
No floor drains?  Ok, get smoke bomb and drop down vent pipe.  (Smoke 
bombs are NOT real smoke bombs that explode)  Look around in house to see
where the smoke is coming from.  If everything is trapped as it should be,
you won't see any smoke.  On occasions, a septic tank will "burp" and emit
a pretty good beltch of noxious smelling fumes, and some will try to get
back up thru the plumbing.  The "burp" is nothing more than the solids 
that have fallen to the bottom of the tank releasing gas, and it causes 
the crust on top to move.  Chances are, if you have not been in the house 
very long, it will be neither.  Suspect the lack of a TEE if the odor is
persistant.

As for putting Rid-X in a tank, a handfull of yeast will do the same thing.
The BAD stuff to put in one is household washing machine water, especially
if the detergent has any phosphates in it.  Grease, high levels of any
kind of substance that will kill yeast.  Septic tanks need to be cleaned
out about once every 2 to 3 years.  This prevents solids from accumulating
up from the bottom of the tank and being pushed out into the drain tile,
and clogging the joints or holes in the pipe.  This requires replacement 
which is expensive.   The way a septic tank works is best described as 
making a batch of homebrew, or making moonshine whiskey, except you don't
cook it.

Water and solid matter enter from the house.  The tank stays full to the
outflow level all the time.  Any water that enters, pushes an equivalent
amount out into the drain field.  Solids decompose into two parts.  Water,
and sludge.  The sludge settles to the bottom, and water just mixes.
Over a period of time, the sludge builds up from the bottom, and if left
long enough, will begin to displace the water.  This is when the sludge
gets pushed out into the drain field.  That is why cleaning is recommended
every 2 to 3 or 4 years, depending on how many people in the houshold,
and how much use it gets.  Percolation rates have nothing to do with how
a septic tank works.  Only how much water can be absorbed by the ground
when saturated.  

Hope that helps clear up some questions.  If you want further details,
consult your local health department.  They are usually the ones who 
issue the permits and have information on what is required.

sam

-- 
     Sam Drinkard	|	internet: wa4phy!sam@galois.nscf.org
     WA4PHY		|	internet: sam@wa4phy.nscf.nscf.org
     Augusta, GA 30907  |       amprnet : sam@wa4phy.ampr.org.

Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house