Adding vent to leach field

[Dr_1400]

Hoping to get some advice on whether adding a vent to my leach field is advisable to counteract odor. My situation is this: 1 bdr seasonal cabin, used most weekends in summer and average 1/6 weekends rest of year. Bathroom sink and shower drain to septic, kitchen sink to perforated gray water tank. We have septic pumped every 2-3 years, but get some pretty persistent septic odors. Tank is in good condition per septic guy who just pumped it, and he says drain field is operating normally. We have also:
-Increased height of vent stack
-Added charcoal filter to vent stack

Odors are strongest after a toilet flush. I know we have a distribution box, but unsure of how many branch lines off of it. All gravity, no pump.

Septic is right under the cabin (post/beam construction), and distribution box is under the front deck. Leach field presumably extends out in front of the deck.

Question - would adding a candy cane vent in the leach field potentially help vacuum smell up the main vent stack? Possibly add oxygen to help the leach field operate more effectively?

Our septic guy hypothesized that odor might be coming from a shallow leach field, and we could put plastic over it and cover with more dirt. But would this prevent the system getting oxygen it needs?

Newbie on this, any help appreciated.

 

[Jeff H Young]

where is the smell? out where leech field is or under deck? if stink in in field I guess a vent might get stink out but a candy cane like 2 ft high aint going to help itll be a stink there I would guess

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Dr_1400]

where is the smell? out where leech field is or under deck? if stink in in field I guess a vent might get stink out but a candy cane like 2 ft high aint going to help itll be a stink there I would guess

I’d say smell is mostly in leach field area, but because that’s so close to the ddck, anytime you’re around there and the smell is rolling you can’t miss it. Been hard for me to pinpoint where it comes from. Sometimes, like today, no smell at all. Really seems to pick up during weekends of heavy use with lots of flushes.

 

[Jeff H Young]

maybe smoke test its tough to guess I dont know where its coming from either but a vent a couple feet off the ground wont help much

 

[Dr_1400]

Thank you. Maybe running it back uphill to tie into the main vent stack would be a better option.

 

[Jeff H Young]

I dont suspect it would hurt and it might help but something is going on

 

[LLigetfa]

Most septic systems are anaerobic meaning they don't need to be vented. You still need a vent stack in the home but that is not for the septic tank.

IMHO, pumping out the tank every 2 or 3 years for a seasonal cabin is far too often and you may be harming the bacteria culture that it needs. You may also be pumping out at the wrong time of year for the culture to survive the times the place is vacant.

Covering the leach field in plastic is the wrong thing to do as most of the moisture gradually comes up to the surface on many systems. By the time it reaches the surface, the bacteria should have done its job and it should not smell too bad.

My sand mantle is in/on clay with 2 feet below grade and 3 feet above. Normally there is no smell coming up out of the ground above my leach field except occasionally around the edge when the field if overloaded by very heavy rain or spring snow melt.

I go more than a decade between pumping. Mind you, I have an oversize (1000 imp. gallon) tank for two full-time residents. We are careful what we put down the drain; no harsh cleaners, no garbage disposal, etc.

 

[Jeff H Young]

of cource its possible it could be 70 years old and a substandard build . The house is vented I think he is looking for an easy fix understandably but easy fix and proper fix might not be the same just randomely throwing a vent in sounds odd but i dont know sometimes micky mouse fixes improove things its not a standard fix that Ive heard of

 

[Reach4]

delete

 

[Dr_1400]

Thanks for the info, this forum is always very helpful. It’s definitely a substandard build, and we’re using the cabin more than the previous owners ever did. Tank is only 275 gallons, the septic guy thoght.
The leach field is on a downhill slope, and I have no idea how level the pipes are. Havent dug them up yet.
We do get a lot of precipitation (150” or snow of annual snowfall) including a recent 5”
downpour. So I also wonder if enough erosion has taken place that I just need more earth on top of the leach field to give
Decent idea, or pointless?

 

[Jeff H Young]

Thanks for the info, this forum is always very helpful. It’s definitely a substandard build, and we’re using the cabin more than the previous owners ever did. Tank is only 275 gallons, the septic guy thoght.
The leach field is on a downhill slope, and I have no idea how level the pipes are. Havent dug them up yet.
We do get a lot of precipitation (150” or snow of annual snowfall) including a recent 5”
downpour. So I also wonder if enough erosion has taken place that I just need more earth on top of the leach field to give
Decent idea, or pointless?

Wow I was afraid of that I dont have much advice on septic but honestly sounds like an entire rebuild leach lines are supposed to be pretty flat maybe slight fall but youll find that out if action needs taking

 

[Fitter30]

Is the field in the shade? Have a lagoon in the sun 18 years never smelled it.

 

[Dr_1400]

Is the field in the shade? Have a lagoon in the sun 18 years never smelled it.

yes, all shade

 

[Fitter30]

There's a lot of info on tank size. Average water use per day per person 100 gallons. Tank and field probably to small overwhelming both. Sewage probably going out to to field.
www.ntotank.com/blog/what-size-septic-tank-do-i-need