cesspool odors

[stevenf]

I hate to ask this because it isn't looked on to highly in our part of the world anymore. We bought a ranch in 1999 and this year sold our house in town to live there. The ranch has been inspected by the county and they are aware of our cesspool which is grandfathered in because it has always been there as opposed to a septic system. It was fine when we were only using it on the weekends but living out there full time is creating more stuff than the little cesspool can handle apparently. I talked to a pumper that just laughed at me as it was raining when we were talking and he told me that the water table has risen a lot on account of all the rain and he'd be happy to pump it but he would never finish as it would refill as fast as he could pump. Does anyone have a cesspool and what do you do to just take the odor out, its only a concern for a little while longer as we are getting ready to build a new house starting the first sunny day this year and plan on a new septic system that we'll then hook up this little cabin to as well.
Steve

 

[stevenf]

Is there no one that uses and dumps something in their cesspool to keep the smell at bay even if its at your deer camp I'd love to hear what chemical or product your using as my honey is beginning to have her nose in a knot for a reason other than me doing or saying something stupid.
Steve

 

[rdln]

Chlorine? plant some carp? I needed to post something somewhere so I didnt have 666 posts for very long, sorry.

 

[Junkman]

I suggest that you put some Vick's rub under your nose. That way, you will not smell anything other than the Vicks.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Henro]

Stevenf,

Just a thought, but you may wish to at minimum not advertise that you are abandoning the cesspool. Once gone it is probably gone forever, even if "grand fathered."

I would not give up anything in today's world. You get nothing for giving something up...

I might divert the sewage but would keep that quiet and have the cesspoll in my back pocket for the future if I ever needed it...unless I really, really wanted to use the area it was located on for something else...

 

[CTyler]

Maybe this.....I did a search on "cesspool odors"

What is Bioprime
Bioprime is a preserved culture of billions of natural micro-organisms that feed off liquid waste in your septic systems and grease traps. These organisms feed off of, break down, and digest sludge, grease, and organic debris, keeping your plumbing clog free, your septic tank system working smoothly, and your environment odor free. Bioprime natural waste treatment is completely harmless to people, livestock, water systems, and plumbing. Bioprime keeps your cesspool naturally biodegrading waste without corrosive, volatile, or caustic chemicals.

Eliminate Naturally, organically, and safely.
Unpleasant cesspool odors

 

[KENSFM]

Try a couple of boxes of Rid-X, if it is not available in your area Home Depot sells a similar product under the Zep brand.
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[stevenf]

Junkman, now that just ain't right besides its my honey and I don't know about you but if I was to sneak up while she's sleeping and give her a little vicks she'd do one a two things either sick the d** dog on me (its a Rot) or just fill my bu%% with buckshot.
I've done lots of studying on getting rid of the aroma but I was hoping I'd get some feedback from some of the foreigners that might have some magic elixar like ground up bat wings or eye of a newt.
There are lots of the dump this in your toilet septic type chemicals on the market but we're talking about an open pit about 5' across and 3' deep with fluid and ew in it.
Steve

 

[Egon]

Put some lime in the cesspool

Egon

 

[Freds]

I'm not very familiar with cesspools, but if they are anything like septic tanks you definitely don't want to put chlorine in it. It will kill the good bacteria. Good honeydippers will usually have a chlorine tester with them to make sure there isn't too much if you are having problems.
If the water table is high it is probably dilluting the "mixture" and a box of Rid-X like suggested may work. Also, if you have a sump pump you don't want that to be pumping into the cess pool dilluting things.

You could also try eating more and drinking less /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif You need to get the solids built up so the bacteria can do their thing.

 

[OKnewguy]

I would try the rid-x as a last resort. The general consensus is that it actually can hurt septic systems.. I read in a number of universty studies when I was researching up on my septic system. Most of what I read for septic and "septic ponds" said that the natural bacteria is better left alone. I have seen sest pools at campground that have a constant group of sprinklers spray a lite mist over them, I think that this might help. Good luck /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[SPIKER]

i'm with guys who said KEEP it, you can then later pump the septic into the cespool by means of a trash pump, otherwise you will be foreced to PAY sopmeone to do this on a 3~5 yr cycle (sooner if you have several girls in the house!) some yeast works well, not too much as it will over populate the cespool with bacteria and it will all die off and it will really get stinky. if you can get an air stone/bubbler in there that will help emensly! add some wild pond caught snails too...

anyhow keep out the bleach from the washer and welll as much as possable...

MarkM

 

[Freds]

OKnewguy,
What do they suggest be used to build bacteria up if it's been diluted? Yeast?

 

[stevenf]

Freds,
So what your saying is all the recycled beer should not go in my porcelain pal. But any chunky stuff should be quite at home.
I hadn't heard the yeast idea yet although I've strongly considered the lime which is what is typically used in a deer camps outhouse although then its usually a predominance of solids and each person who visits sprinkles a little lime over the top before exiting the building. Yeah kinda like Elvis only different.
Steve

 

[tracdoc]

Steven,

I would suggest two products for your consideration.
1. Roebic Laboratories K47 Cesspool Treatment [HERE]
2. Gempler's Farm Digestant [HERE]

Roebic Labs has extensive experience in this field, both commercial and residential. I use their septic treatment regularly. The composition of the cesspool treatment is different than the septic treatment since cesspools are more aerobic, while septic systems are more anaerobic. Rid-X imho is not suitable for cesspools. You can find Roebic products at TSC, and Wally World, too. Just make sure you use the K47.

The Gempler's Farm digestant would also be a good addition to your cesspool. It's sold for use in sewage lagoons, but if you read the specs, it can be used effectively in cesspools as well.

To get ahead of your problem, I would use a healthy dose of the K47. Depending on the volume of your pool, I'm thinking 2-4 bottles. Then wait about a week or two, and see how it sweetens up. If ok, you could then go with regular (weekly or bi-weeky) dosing with the Farm Digestant. Mix up the dry powder with water. Let it sit for an hour or so to activate the bacterial spores into poop-munching live bacteria, and then flush down the commode. I would repeat the K47 about every 6-9 months down the road just for insurance. When you use the right bacteria, you can't really overtreat your system.

Hope that helps... it should be better than going around with clothespins on your noses /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[OKnewguy]

When I moved and inherited my first septic system, I researched quite a bit. It seemed that there are a lot of myths about what to do with these systems. The largest one was things like rid-x, and leaving some starter poop (to rejuvenate the bacteria) in the tank when it is pumped. NOW this was with septic tanks and leach fields but I would think that it would apply to this as well. I also have heard that yeast is good, and aeration.
Back to the rid-x thing, a lot of research shows that these type of additives might evan be harmfull in the leach field. It can gum up the lines and leave you with a slime. It seems that the natural bacteria is the best and keeping it healthy by not disposing of harsh cleaning products, grease, chlorine, and not using a garbage disposal often is the best. I picked my septic tank pumpers brain and he basically said that if it is stuff that you eat and (ultimately pass) then it is alright. So if you would not eat it don't flush it.
My 2 cents, /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[stevenf]

Tracdoc,
Thanks I'll stop at Wally World on the way home and see if they stock the K47 that sound like it might do it. Maybe get some 57 also and see if we can get it purkin again or faster.
Whats really bad is I host a Boy Scout group 70 kids + adults at the ranch a couple of times a year and their campout is in 3 weeks or so. To avoid having paper flying all over the ranch we let them use the toilets in the house for #2 only.
How'd that old rock song go, OH OH that smell!
Steve

 

[tracdoc]

Steve,

Just was thinkin' about your scouting group overstressing your cesspool. Would it be practical, cost effective, etc. to rent a couple of porta-potties like you see all over on construction sites?
If the scout activity is only 2x a year, that may be a consideration, especially for the one coming up in 3 weeks. That way you would not get right back behind the 8-ball after a potentially good solution with the K47/57 and some Gemplers. Just a thought...

 

[Freds]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( So what your saying is all the recycled beer should not go in my porcelain pal. But any chunky stuff should be quite at home )</font>

Pretty much. That's the way I had it explained to me. There's a new racetrack not too far from me and my septic guy said they had the same problem I was having in my business... not enough use for solids, so too little bacteria to do the job. Hence, the odor. He said there was too much beer drinking going on and not enough hot dog eating /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

First time I hear the phrase, "Too much beer drinking".
Didn't know there was such a thing.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[JJT]

"we're talking about an open pit about 5' across and 3' deep with fluid and ew in it."

Get the darned thing covered. That should cut down the odor at least 95%, you're talking about raw untreated sewage....