Septic Backup

Occasionally homeowners complain about odors from their onsite sewage treatment system. Although most people understand that sewage has a particular odor, steps can be taken to limit these odors in the home and yard. Gases from an onsite system that can be a problem include hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and methane. Within a home these gases can be irritating, toxic and explosive. In a yard they are not typically found in high enough concentrations to be dangerous, but are still a nuisance.

There are several locations within an onsite system where odor can be an issue.

1.In the home
2.Near the septic tank
3.Near a pretreatment unit
4.Near the soil treatment area
5.In the yard

Call a registered sewage system contractor or your local health department if you experience problems or if there are any signs of system failure. Don't use septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and can be harmful to the operation of your system.

Under current Texas law a 750 gallon septic tank is the minimum size that must be used for a home with three bedrooms or less. If six people reside in a three-bedroom house, the tank should be pumped every year. If the same system serves a family of two, the tank would be ready for pumping every 4.2 years. Systems installed before the current rules and regulations were implemented may need to be pumped more often, perhaps every year or less.