I have a septic system, installed in January 2002. I have 2 questions: 1. The unit emits a "septic" odor which the septic maintenance company cannot identify, detect or resolve. Any guesses? 2. The ground above the large cement tank (and less so above the "mixer") does not freeze in the winter. Is this normal?
Answer:
Your two questions appear to be connected. If the ground above the unit is not frozen, evaporation can be taking place and particularly with warmer weather, all this perculates to the surface - the odour. I wonder what level your water table is at. As far as the ground not being frozen, believe me, that is exactly what you want because if the system freezes up, you don't flush again until June or July. Back to Irma Bombeck's very perceptive statement "The grass is always greenest over the septic system" - or something to that effect. I know that kind of a statement dates my reading tastes but that's life. And besides, I credit it more to a good memory of something ever so profoundly articulated!
Courtesy of Ren Molnar, Construction Consultant at HomeFocus.com. I can also be reached at (613) 748-3003 and Home Focus phone-in is broadcast live 8 to 10 A.M. (Ottawa, Ont. time) on Saturdays on www.cfra.com.
