Just looking to get an opinion. This past spring I installed 2 dry wells in series with an overflow pipe to divert my water softener, dishwasher and washing machine gray water. The system has been working quite well. Only once or twice did water drain from the over flow pipe into my back yard down hill during heavy rains and lots of laundry. It's somewhat smelly. Not like septic but it is gray water after all.
One of the the drainage pipes exits from the basement. This pipe has the drain hoses from the dishwasher and water softener going into it. What I sometimes experience is the odor and gases from the dry well wafting out of this drain pipe stinking up my basement. From my observations I think this is happening when I do laundry and all that water goes into the dry well displacing the stinky air inside back through the basement drain pipe. Sound plausible?
Today I stuffed some fiberglass insulation in the end of the pipe around the 2 drain hoses in hopes of lessening the stench. Is this safe to do? It's not an air tight seal.
My other concern is will the water in the well freeze over the winter possible creating a situation I would regret. I'm hoping my over flow pipe would work and also the gray water from the dishwasher and washing machine are warm hopefully melting any surface ice in the well that may develop. This is my first winter with the dry wells and have no idea what to expect. Any input is greatly appreciated.
