Seasonal Effects on Sewage Systems

 

OHN: Yeah, I’ve had my septic system – it’s a 30-year old house. It’s been inspected twice and everything’s fine, they tell me. But sometimes in extremely cold weather I can smell an odor and I told the septic people that and they said it’s from the vent stack. I don’t know if you ever heard of anything like that.

TOM: Well, depending on the design of your roof, I’ve heard of winds in certain conditions sort of taking that sewage gas smell and pushing it down close to the ground where you can actually smell it.

JOHN: OK.

TOM: And if that’s what’s happening and it’s seasonal; it happens in odd weather conditions, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

JOHN: Yeah, because what happens is like if there’s snow – like up here where I live, in Albany – in the Albany, New York area – there’s a lot of snow and if there’s any snow on the roof, all around the vent stack it’s completely melted, you know, during the winter.

TOM: Right.

JOHN: So I guess it’s – I guess it’s the gas that’s being pushed out.

TOM: That’s probably what’s happening and it doesn’t indicate that you need to make any repairs.

JOHN: OK.

TOM: Just don’t invite your friends over on those cold days, OK? (Leslie chuckles)

JOHN: I know, tell me about it. (Tom chuckles) OK, I appreciate your help.

TOM: You’re welcome, John. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.