What is the pipe sticking out of my septic tank?

The white PVC pipes that stick up in the area of your drain field offer a “window” into how well it is operating (draining). They shouldn’t be removed but they can be cut down, level with the ground. Your septic system may have a “candy cane” vent pipe over the pump tank.

Should a septic tank have a vent pipe?

There is not a great deal of gas generated in a septic tank, but the gas must be released so pressure does not build up in the tank. If the septic tank has inlet and outlet baffles, they must be vented. If the inlet and outlet are tees, they must have upward extensions and be vented.

What are the buried pipes that distribute clean water from a septic tank into the ground?

Soil-based systems discharge the liquid (known as effluent) from the septic tank into a series of perforated pipes buried in a leach field, chambers, or other special units designed to slowly release the effluent into the soil.

What is the white pipe on the side of my house?

Air Conditioning Drain If you have a central air conditioning system, you may be looking at a condensation drain. When an air conditioner cools the air in the house it also removes moisture from the air. These drains are often made of PVC and will slowly drip on the side of your home.

What is the white pipe in my front yard?

The good news is that pipe is nothing more than a clean-out for the homes sewer system. If there is ever a problem with the sewer system, a plumber can use the clean-out to diagnose the problem. Many plumbers have a snake with lights and a camera on the end so they can find clogs or breaks in the sewer lines.

How do you stop a septic tank from smelling?

Avoid pouring fats, oils, coffee grounds, cleaning products, paints, or other chemicals down your sink or tub drains. These can disrupt sewage breakdown inside the tank and cause a foul odor. Adding a cup of baking soda to a sink drain or toilet once a week will help maintain the correct pH level in the septic tank.

How do I find my septic vent pipe?

It will be found in a basement or crawlspace coming straight down from your house. In most cases it will be made of either cast iron or, in modern homes, PVC pipe, usually colored black. Most of these pipes will be at least 3 inches in diameter. Have someone flush the toilet and listen for a large draining sound.

How deep are leach field pipes?

18 to 30 inches
A typical drainfield trench is 18 to 30 inches in depth, with a maximum soil cover over the disposal field of 36 inches.

How deep are septic lateral lines buried?

How do I find my septic tank vent?

If you don’t have a basement, go outside and look for your roof vent. This is a pipe that pokes up out of your roof to vent sewer gases outside. Usually, the sewer pipe to the septic tank will leave the house directly below this vent. With some luck you will be able to find your septic tank straight from this point.

What are the 2 white pipes on side of house?

FURNACE VENT PIPES Most furnace systems have a 2-pipe system where one pipe intakes fresh outside air and the other vents flue exhaust gases to the outside.