Terrible Smells From Drains

finchy


Joined: 08/04/2008
Posts: 86

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 15:45

Who can I get to look at this problem?



We have three toilets/bathrooms all at ground floor level. The drains from each run to a common drain then to a manhole directly outside each of the bathrooms. They then all run to a 'soakaway' It's not a septic tank, just a very deep hole in the ground (the plans in our contract actually show a below ground septic tank).



We need to alternate with the toilets that we use as the smell is terrible. We also need to open the windows for the full day in the one we can't use to clear the smell.



Somehow, the venting of the soakaway is coming back into the house . I've checked the traps and they are ok.



Any suggestions as how we can resolve the problem?

sporty


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 685

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 19:11

If the traps are ok you should not have any smells in the house,full stop.The water at the bottom of the toilet is obviously the trap,if the cistern isnt allowing enough water to collect after flushing this may be where your problem is?The syphon in the cistern may need adjusting to allow more water in the toilet bowl after flushing,some of the waste pipes going to sinks etc may not have a "u" bend in the pipe,this could do it also,the smell maybe coming from sinks/showers etc,may not be the toilet.Difficult one.! big hole in the ground instead of septic/holding tank will give probs in the long term also.Hope this helps.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 19:31

Whack done a load of 'Tuz Ruhu', purchased at any Supermarket, but close your nostrils!



Richard

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 19:34

Agree with Richard that Tuz Ruhu is great stuff

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 20:02

Sorry, 'down' and then 'done' and dusted!



Richard

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 20:07

we have now got new waste traps and would be able to price to replace your existing not cheap way out but you wont have this problem again you can contact me vie http://www.braceybuilders.com

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 20:20

Conjuring up a vision of a company called 'bracey builders' brings too mind; ooh they did that?! I can't believe it! Charged you how much?! Unbelievable!



Sorry, my belt broke this morning hence tweaking my braces to keep my trousers up!



Richard

plumber



Joined: 27/08/2008
Posts: 85

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 20:42

hiya finchy the water should run out of a drain at the top of the pit after being cleansed by active bacterior which eats the solids this drain could be blocked .

if you have put bleach down the toilet you would of killed these bacterior

maybe it is full and you need it emptied they do need emptying regually

hope this solves the problem ps the water in the traps evaporates quickly with the heat keeps the traps full a tip put a plug in the waste but the smell will still come out of the overflow...steve

plumber



Joined: 27/08/2008
Posts: 85

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 20:45

hiya finchy the water should run out of a drain at the top of the pit after being cleansed by active bacterior which eats the solids this drain could be blocked .

if you have put bleach down the toilet you would of killed these bacterior

maybe it is full and you need it emptied they do need emptying regually

hope this solves the problem ps the water in the traps evaporates quickly with the heat keeps the traps full a tip put a plug in the waste but the smell will still come out of the overflow...steve

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 20:50

Plumber



And now in stereo!



Richard

Magbs


Joined: 26/02/2009
Posts: 278

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 23:04

Plumber,



Sorry to disagree but normal bleaching for laundry or cleaning will not damage the anaerobic bacterial action in a septic tank. It gets a huge dose of replenishment every time your flush human solids down the toilet.

But to be on the safe side you should not use excessive amounts of any household chemicals.

Too much soap or detergents, that's what causes problems with the septic systems. Most people easily overdose and use too much detergent while you can get the same results with less, even with a half cap.



But in this case I don't believe the smell comes from the toilet. If you see the water in the bottom of the cistern you should rather check your sink syphons.

plumber



Joined: 27/08/2008
Posts: 85

Message Posted:
26/09/2009 00:35

If a septic tank has been fitted is ok , if it just a big hole it could be a problem get it checked quickly.................steve

snd1966


Joined: 10/06/2009
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
26/09/2009 07:34

I remember our new build had this problem and it was all down to the lack of ventilation (no stink pipe) and the stupid traps in the floor which are very handy if you have a wet room but best sealed if not required as the trap dries out so quickly. Once we had altered the pipework outside but unfortunately the outlet was on the balcony so be always had a tennis ball handy to place on top of the pipe when we sat there. I still remember ringing the builder to say how much it smelt i wanted to move out. when his man turned up after i kept the house locked up for several hours, he said in broken english yes smells, i fix and opened all the windows and say ok in one hour. As i said to the builder I could of done that but it was not a long term fix!

goldfinch


Joined: 20/12/2008
Posts: 35

Message Posted:
26/09/2009 07:49

chech soil pipe builders allways place under eves of house extend out over soffite

westender


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 328

Message Posted:
26/09/2009 14:01

Agree with last message. We used to have a terrible smell in the house, a plumber friend came out to stay and 'diagnosed' problem straight away. We got the builder over pronto and got him to extend soil pipe and we've never had the smell return.