Septic tank smell

[Piddy]

We are renting an old property in the Gers which has a Fosse Septique, the whereabouts of which are unknown to landlady, helpful long term neighbours etc.

During bad weather (rain-it does sometimes in the South west!) then the house fills with a very unpleasant odour. No amount of conventional septic tank treatments make any difference.

Is there a gas or odour tester available which we can easily and cheaply use to show the landlady that there is a health hazard to us and our young family and that she really needs to get it sorted.

Gas mask to the most helpful answer.

Many thanks

 

Piddy.

[Patf]

This doesn't directly answer your question, but possibly the smell comes from the container that holds the "grey water" from the house eg washing up water, bath water etc. If you search within 2 metres from where the water goes out you should be able to find some sort of cover to the tank. What happens is that a layer of gunge builds up and needs clearing out regularly. If there's no venting pipe from this container up the side of the house then the smell will be worse. We found that this was the source of a horrible smell at our house. Did you sign an agreement before renting? If so did it say anything about the existence/ care of a fosse septique? Pat.

[Piddy]

Possible Pat, have cleaned this tank out before last summer and certainly full of gunge.

Smell only manifests itself in 2 upstairs bathrooms, not downstairs bathrooms or in kitchen so am thinking more septic tank.

Have tenancy agreement but it is all pretty basic and very informal, landlady very kind and obliging but a widow on small pension so probably could not afford major repairs. However if our health is at risk we will pursue it.

 

Piddy.

[Ron Avery]

You sure you have a fosse and not an old septic tank? 

 Check if you have traps on all your waste outlets, if you haven't then the smell may be blowing back up the pipe.  If you have traps try running water down them all, if the property has not been used for a while they may have dried up.

[Mandrau]

P trap problem is quite common, sometimes the layout/partial blockage etc of the pipework causes the water to be sucked out of the trap. make sure trap is full.

[WJT]

Quite interesting this because we have the same problem from the upstairs toilet only. I have also read about the trap and have run water in the taps etc..but does not seem to help. There is a distinct cabbage smell that eventually permeates the whole of the upstairs. This is why we believe it to be the septic tank as well.

[Christian]

We have had the same problem with smells upstairs. It was because the vent pipe for the soil pipe was not high enough. The plumber had stopped it just below the tiles, rather than piercing the roof. The vent pipe should go right through the roof, otherwise the smells linger under the tiles - even the old fashioned canal tiles.

[Piddy]

Sounds like we have exactly the same problem as WJT. interseted to know if you come up with a solution. Meantime eat less cabbage!!