Septic smell in bedroom-solved!

[photopilot]

We own a 2006 Monaco Camelot, new to us a year ago. While camping for the weekend without a septic hookup, I notice a septic smell in the rear of the MH after 4 days. I checked outside, and no smells were being sucked in by the fans. I thought it might be lingering 'natural' gas, but the smell persisted. I dumped some Pine-Sol in the toilet, but no change. I was thinking a dead animal, so I started sniffing in cabinets. It seemed stronger in the closet over the washer...

Yup, since we don't use the washer, the anti-freeze in the drain trap had dried and allowed gas from the gray water to enter the closet, and since our campfire had set off the smoke detector earlier that evening, we had all the exhaust fans running, with only few windows open on the opposite side from the fire. The fans were sucking enough to get reverse flow through the gray water vent and into the bedroom. A quick fill and drain of the washer took care of the problem! Who would have thought?

[wildtoad]

After many trips and the occasional oder issue now my first step after parking is to run a little water down each of the sinks and shower drain. It's amazing how bad grey water smells.

[Davidrvr]

There is a one way breather valve in our closet in the pipes.. if that leaks that will allow the smell to escape.. its like a 2" breather

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by Davidrvr

There is a one way breather valve in our closet in the pipes.. if that leaks that will allow the smell to escape.. its like a 2" breather

It's called an "Air Admittance Valve"

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...FUQjgQodAJAByg

[MSHappyCampers]

Thanks for the heads-up!

[soonerdave]

Adding a 360 vent pipe cover will keep the smell out even if your trap dries out. The 360 creates negative pressure in your tanks and keeps the fumes drawn out the roof. The anti siphon, or air admittance valve can go bad but is easy to replace. The valve usually just screws on and is easy to find at hardware and plumbing supply houses.

[PCarillon]

If you dont use the washer once in awhile the trap dries out so periodically run a cycle in the washer whether you throw clothes in it or not