Concrete septic tank cap

[Conhntr]

I have a 4'x4" round septic tank cap covering the access to my tank. This is located about 10' from my front door. On move in i had tank pumped and the junction box replaced (it was cracked) and the laterial lines replaced (root blockage). Ive had normal operation but lately have been smelling some septic smell coming from the concrete lid area. I can see that there is not seal just concrete on concrete so i am getting gas sepege out of the tank and it smells bad! What i dont know is why i havent smelled anything till now? Im the only one here so did it just take the long to fill the 1200gallon tank?

Since the system is functional and i have no other problems im here to ask how to fix this. Should i try to find some kind of gasket to sit the lid on to make it air tight? The lid is really heavy so i think this may work.

My other idea is just to bury it. The lid is only about 6" off the ground so i could bury it without much dirt. It is really near the house so and that whole area is a no vehicle area anyway.


Any ideas cause i hate the smell and its driving me nuts!!

[Explorer]

Sounds like a vent is plugged up somewhere. My lid is only about 18" in diameter for a 1200 gal tank and it is buried under about 6" of soil. I had the lid replaced with a tight fitting fiberglass unit.

[dkhern]

normally they are under ground. in the house the water in the p traps prevent gas from entering

[Darren]

I recently saw a 1200 gal tank filled in less than two months with one person living in the house. The liquid level was up to the outlet.

[Jim-mi]

How about a "raised garden" over the "lid". . . .?

6" of earth should solve the problem........

Would think that the tank needs to breath to 'equalize' air pressure . . so a super tight gasket will just move the pressure problem else ware.

[Explorer]

Originally Posted by Jim-mi

How about a "raised garden" over the "lid". . . .?

6" of earth should solve the problem........

Would think that the tank needs to breath to 'equalize' air pressure . . so a super tight gasket will just move the pressure problem else ware.

I have no problems with mine and it has a fiberglass lid and gasket which the lid is bolted to forming a tight seal.

I expect it vents to the nearest home vent as the drain pipe is not full unless there is a problem.

[davel745]

expose the manhole lid and buy a bag of mortar mix and seal around the edges of the lid. you can use your hands if you don't have any tools, or a shovel. it has to seal the crack not look pretty. if you need to remove the lid just crack the mortar with a hammer. This will stop the smell.

[JoePa]

I was always surprised when my septic tank is opened - there is no smell what-so-ever - in my drain system in the house there is a plastic stack that goes up through the roof to vent the drain system - this prevents the traps in the sinks and toilet from being emptied by suction when the toilet is flushed but also lets any smell from the septic tank to vent out up over the roof - In your case I would just cover the lid with dirt and plant some flowers on it - I get my tank cleaned out every 3 or 4 years - it is normal for a tank to be filled up to the outlet pipe going out into the drain field - the solids are down in the bottom - the fluid is on top to the level of the outlet pipe - and if the tank is working right much of the solids will turn into liquid over time -

[Raymond James]

There is a sealant sold by the septic tank company take the lid off put the sealant around the lid then replace. Who ever pumped your tank or did your repairs might give you some if you asked them. Call and tell them about the odor and ask them to give you the material to seal it.

You do not want any extra water or dirt falling into the tank. I do not advise to bury the tank as I am lazy and do not like digging it up when it needs to be pumped. I put a riser ( a fiber glass or concrete piece) on top of the tank that keeps water out and seals tight. Much easier to find the tank and to have it pumped every 3-5 years. You can easily measure solids and see when to pump. You would have to get this item from your local septic tank company.

[wharton]

Originally Posted by Raymond James

There is a sealant sold by the septic tank company take the lid off put the sealant around the lid then replace. Who ever pumped your tank or did your repairs might give you some if you asked them. Call and tell them about the odor and ask them to give you the material to seal it.

You do not want any extra water or dirt falling into the tank. I do not advise to bury the tank as I am lazy and do not like digging it up when it needs to be pumped. I put a riser ( a fiber glass or concrete piece) on top of the tank that keeps water out and seals tight. Much easier to find the tank and to have it pumped every 3-5 years. You can easily measure solids and see when to pump. You would have to get this item from your local septic tank company.

Current code in these parts in that the lid gets fully covered with ground, but no more than 6" worth. As for the sealant, If you are referring to the black stuff that comes in a roll, and is like a tar based square rope, only use it if you want to seal it forever. It can glue a concrete riser to the top of the tank so well that you have to bust the riser apart to remove it.

[VERN in IL]

On our old hand dug cess pool we put a 6'x6' with a 2'x2' hole in the center of a cement top base, covered by a 3'x3' concrete cover. You don't want to fall into these things.

[Conhntr]

Well i decided on just covering it with some dirt. Too bad i waited till now its gonna be hard to grow any grass on it at this point!! Kinda cold