What to add to the septic tank to prevent it from smelling: a review of basic equipment

14.01.2021

Septic tank

Editorial staff of the “New Place” website

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From this article you will learn

:

1. Causes of unpleasant odor from a septic tank
2. Options for what to add to the septic tank to prevent it from smelling
3. Other ways to eliminate septic tank smell
4. Prevention and recommendations for caring for a septic tank

It is not always possible to eliminate the smell by pumping or cleaning, so many people are wondering what to add to the septic tank to stop the smell. Sometimes it is enough to eliminate damage or identified design flaws, but more often it is impossible to do without biological or chemical drugs.

Also, before buying this or that product, it is necessary to identify the cause of the unpleasant odor. There is also a difference between cesspool septic tanks and conventional ones. In our article we will tell you what means you can use to get rid of the smell and what to do to minimize the risk of its occurrence.

Content

1. How to remove odor from a cesspool?
2. Excessive wastewater accumulation
3. How to remove odor from a cesspool without pumping?
   Chemicals to neutralize odor
4. Biological cleaning agents
5. How to prevent unpleasant odors from appearing?

Even if you don’t go to your dacha often, there is a high risk of an unpleasant odor coming from the toilet. Let us answer the question of what to put in a cesspool so that it does not stink, there is no unsanitary conditions and there is no danger of the spread of infections.

Siltation is the main cause of unpleasant odors.

Due to infrequent cleaning and improper use, silt may build up on the bottom and sides of the pit. By itself, it already smells bad, but its appearance also causes waste to accumulate too quickly and can overfill the tank and spill around it.

Signs of silting include not only an unpleasant odor, but also difficulties with flushing water from the toilet and bathtub, and seepage of wastewater from under the septic tank.

To fix the problem, you need to use the following methods:

• Download all contents . To do this, a vacuum truck with a special pump is called.
• Clean the walls from silt . This can be done manually, through chemical treatment or with special equipment.
• Carry out sanitization . Chemical compounds help not only get rid of the unpleasant odor, but also disinfect the septic tank and temporarily reduce the risk of repeated silting.

Sometimes the bottom gravel filter needs to be updated. The need for these actions is determined by specialists after examination.

There is no point in trying to personally eliminate siltation problems - it is difficult and requires the use of special equipment, which most owners of country toilets do not have at their disposal.

First thing

You may not believe me, but an autonomous sewer system in a private house should not emit an odor that is clearly noticeable even next to the cesspool. There are two mandatory conditions for this, it: a) is made correctly, b) is operated correctly.

It is difficult to provide “b” without “a”, and the effect is immediate. Therefore, the first way to eliminate the smell is to put the cesspool in order, for which:

• Achieve tightness of the ceiling. The easiest way is to cover the structure with a reliable ramp of logs, boards and roofing felt, and embank it with soil on top. Be sure to leave a tight hatch in the ceiling for cleaning.
• Ensure good ventilation of the cesspool. To do this, it is enough to buy three meters of PVC pipe with a diameter of 110 mm, and a plastic deflector for it. We install the pipe so that it passes through the ceiling, going 3-5 cm into the hole.
• To prevent the cesspool from serving as a breeding ground for flies, we place a net on the head of the pipe.

The same measures are necessary if we want to get a regular country toilet with an odorless pit cesspool. The only thing, in addition to the cleaning hatch, you need to take care of a tight lid covering the opening of the toilet seat.

Excessive wastewater accumulation

Another reason for an unpleasant odor is that the system was initially chosen incorrectly or has become unusable over time. In this case, the pit will fill up faster, and the filtration system will no longer cope with all incoming wastewater.

The only way out will be to re-equip the entire complex and install a new, more capacious septic tank. In order not to look for a way out of this difficult situation, it is worth thinking in advance whether the volume of the cesspool corresponds to the average amount of sewage created.

Current prices for septic tanks "TOPAS"

Septic tank Topas 10

Septic tank Topas 4

How to remove odor from a cesspool without pumping?

Sometimes it happens that the pit simply smells strongly and ruins the life of the residents of the house. This may occur due to incorrect design, outdated septic tank design, or location of the waste tank too close to the home.

In this case, you need to use special drugs. They neutralize the processes occurring in sewage and purify the air.

Let's consider two main types of agents - chemical and biological.

Chemicals for odor neutralization and methods of their use

When answering the question of how to remove the stench from a cesspool, you can choose two options. The first is chemical cleaning as a replacement for mechanical cleaning. The sewage has to be pumped out. Then the walls are treated with chemicals and the entire container is washed. The second approach is to pour or backfill the active drug directly into the filled septic tank.

The table shows three classes of remedies to get rid of the problem.

Although many instructions on the Internet say that by purchasing chemicals you can do everything yourself, you should not believe this. It is difficult and dangerous to work with such products, especially if the septic tank is supposed to be completely drained. If the compositions come into contact with mucous membranes, they can cause severe burns requiring hospitalization. Even the vapors of some acids are poisonous. Damage may also be caused to your area.

Among the most popular formulations:

• "Methanediol" . This substance belongs to the class of formaldehydes. Toxic, requires careful handling. It is rarely used for cesspools in private areas; more often it is used to eliminate odor in industrial drainage systems.
• Instablue Campingaz . Another very powerful reagent. It cannot be poured into a filled cesspool; it is used as an aid during mechanical cleaning and removes deposits from the walls.

Biological cleaning agents as an alternative to chemical ones

What should you put in a cesspool so that there is no smell and the risk to plants and humans is minimal? Biologics may be considered. They stimulate the processing of wastewater by bacteria - this naturally eliminates the problem. You don’t have to worry about the sewer system or septic tank – they won’t damage it.

There are three main forms of such compositions on sale:

• In tablets . Best suited for small waste containers, approximately one cubic meter of capacity. A good solution for dry closets and self-contained showers. Many tablets must first be dissolved and only then poured into the pit.
• Liquid . Sold in cans, they are more concentrated. Suitable for large tanks. Solid waste gradually begins to dissolve, pathogenic microorganisms also die, which reduces the biological hazard of the sewage system.
• In granules . Depending on the variety, they may require dissolution or be poured into a waste storage facility unchanged. There are formulations with different degrees of concentration - you need to choose according to the volume of the septic tank.

Since this method of getting rid of stench is the most popular, let’s consider the most popular drugs and their features:

• "Doctor Robik." Many experts, when answering the question of how to fill a cesspool to prevent it from stinking, immediately recommend this type of drug. It has a good quality of dissolving most wastes that could potentially cause problems. Gives a long lasting effect. It is recommended to use the composition regularly so that the unpleasant odor does not appear at all.

• "Unique" . It gives a good level of destruction, and active bacteria do not die even in very aggressive environments. Another advantage is that the cleaning bacteria do not need air to live, so the septic tank does not have to be opened during cleaning, and this is a serious plus.

Models of septic tanks "Rostock" for a summer residence

Septic tank ROSTOK Mini

Septic tank AK ROSTOK Country Optima

How to prevent unpleasant odors from appearing?

In order not to get rid of such a problem, you need to think in advance about how to prevent the appearance of stench. There are several ways:

• When designing, choose volumetric septic tanks designed for your number of consumers. It is always worth buying a container for sewage with a reserve, then it will not fill up too quickly.
• Regularly use special products to clean and reduce unpleasant odors. It is best to fill the septic tank with biological compounds containing anaerobic bacteria that do not require air for normal functioning.
• Call the vacuum cleaners more often . This will avoid silting and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Pay attention to periodic cleaning of pipes using mechanical methods or chemicals. This will help remove deposits at an early stage and the “aroma” will not appear.

If you entrust everything to specialists or take care of prevention in advance, the problem of eliminating unpleasant odor from a cesspool will not seem so difficult to solve.

Models of septic tanks "TOPAS" for a summer residence

Septic tank Topas 6

Septic tank Topas 8

Fast filling

Over time, the waste pit may lose its performance. This happens especially often if proper care is not provided. Rapid filling of the structure may be due to insufficient soil filtration. In this case, many owners rush to fill up the old structure and build a new one. However, the old hole can not be buried, but used as an additional filter. To do this, do the following:

1. To begin with, another reservoir is being dug next to the old structure.
2. After this, you can begin building walls from concrete rings, bricks or other materials. We make a filter layer of crushed stone and sand at the bottom.
3. We connect both tanks using a pipe.
4. Close both containers with lids.

Now solid waste will be collected in the old building, and liquid waste will be able to flow through a pipe into the new building, from where it will enter the ground when passing through the filter.