Normal to smell septic from roof vent.........?

[k0ua]

Vent pipes are like opinions... Everybody has one, and they all stink

James K0UA

 

[ozley]

When ever I ran vent pipe I tried to run it the up near the ridge of the roof to make sure that it had a good chance to get a good draft. Many a time I would get call of a smell when people couldn't enjoy their back deck. I would have to add to the length to get it higher at worst add a u bend. That's why the code calls to be 10 from a opening sky light in that case I just got as far far away as best I could so no call back.

 

[Professor Marvel]

When it's real cold I frequently smell stink in the morning as I leave for work. I assume that when I take a shower etc it stirs the excrement and leaves off stink. I guess in the cold weather the relatively warm air (+= 56 deg from the ground) cools as it leaves the vent on the back side of my house and the stink falls back to ground level. This has been my theory. If it is inaccurate I am sure I will shortly hear about it. It is far less pronounced in warmer weather.

 

[DKCDKC]

The vent pipes from my cabin's two bathrooms caused a strong smell in the area. The cabin wasn't used constantly and gas apparently built up or concentrated, to be released when we did come and flushed. But on the advice of some friends, I extended the vent pipes to 18 inches above the top of the roof and the smell vanished. Not sure of the mechanics, but the vents no longer smell at all... Ever.

 

[The kid]

It's normal unless your neighbors 100 yards or more away complain. Then you might want to ease up on those doomsday prepped beans. The vent pipe thru your roof in the main vent for your large soil pipe for all your main water waste. All kidding aside yes it's normal. Normally you won't smell it but cold air push any air coming from the pipe to the ground more frequent in the winter. but you might want to ease ,up on the beans though. :laughing:

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[General Lee]

It's normal unless your neighbors 100 yards or more away complain. Then you might want to ease up on those doomsday prepped beans. The vent pipe thru your roof in the main vent for your large soil pipe for all your main water waste. All kidding aside yes it's normal. Normally you won't smell it but cold air push any air coming from the pipe to the ground more frequent in the winter. but you might want to ease ,up on the beans though. :laughing:

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Gotta have my beans though, I need the fiber :laughing:

 

[ghenges]

During cold weather? Occasionally I smell my septic from the roof plumbing vent depending on cold air temps and wind direction. One story house and the and the back deck is elevated due to hillside. This doesn't put me to far from the vent.

My question(s) are, is this a sign of an issue? Is it normal? I know from times of being on rooftops, being near the pipe, you'll catch a whiff regardless of weather. Also Sometimes at night I see steam coming from the pipe. Only noticeable with a flashlight though. I've heard the plumbing vent lets air IN, not out so I don't know what to think. I have three vents on my roof and only one emits steam and that is the one close to the septic tank.

Tank was pumped almost 6 years ago, No other noticeable issues with drains or smells in the house. What is everyone's thoughts?

The primary purpose of the vent pipe is to prevent potentially explosive methane gas from entering your dwelling.

If you occasionally get a whiff, that's probably is a good thing -- the vent isn't blocked.

 

[boggen]

if you can get a tape measure to the pipe diameter. you should be able to find what ever fittings at your local hardware store for extension up (menards, lowes, homedepot, etc...)

well let someone else correct me, but would advise NOT to place an attic vent fan, or like over the vent stink pipe. if the fan created "to much suction" it could suck water out of P traps in house, and gasses would end up in your home. if wind cause fan to blow wrong way and forced air into pipe. you could end up blowing gasses back into the house.

a pipe sticking up into the air, is about all you need, it is just trying to get the "winds" in your favor. since ya not on the roof all the time except to clean gutters or to repair something. trying to guess how the wind blows and were the stronger gusts of winds are can be a tad frustrating at times.

 

[Aquamoose]

Wouldn't it be easier to just carry a book of matches and light it up every now and then? Free entertainment ya know,...

 

[Phils]

We got the same smell occasionally when the temps and winds were conspiring against us. After enduring DW's whining for years, in late 2010 I bought these:

Vent Pipe Filter, Stop Septic Odor, Activated Carbon Vent Filter

We haven't had the sewer smell from vent pipes since. The granulated charcoal in each unit is easy and cheap to replace (I'm sure aquarium charcoal would work) but I haven't had the need yet.

Phil