Septic tank alarms are an important part of your septic system. It’s important to know how your septic alarm was installed, how it functions, and how to respond when it goes off. If you have a septic system, an alarm is a key component that will protect your home from any major issues.
What is a Septic Tank Alarm?
A septic tank alarm gives you notice when something isn’t right in your system. Depending on your tank size and water usage, you typically have at least a day’s worth of water use after the alarm goes off before you are at risk of something bad happening. Alarms aren’t a reason to panic; they’re designed to let you know the system needs attention ahead of time so you have time to address it.
Septic tank alarms trigger when operating conditions of the septic system fall out of the normal range. For example, if the water level is higher than it should be, the alarm’s job is to alert you to this condition before it becomes a threat with the potential of damaging your property.
Septic tank alarms can be installed in a variety of places. Some are exterior by the tank, some mount to the wall of your home or outbuilding, and some are inside the property. The type of alarm you have depends on whether it’s a part of a larger control system for more elaborate septic system designs. Some are even wireless, with a component in the tank, a component near the tank, and another component in the home to alert you to problems.
Septic tank alarms consist of three elements:
- A float or level monitoring system to gauge how high the liquid in the tank is getting.
- A visual component (beacon).
- An audible (siren/horn/buzzer) component to give you the best chance of noticing that something is not right with the system before it’s too late.
Most alarms have a “mute” function that allows you to turn off the audible signal once it has been set off, although the visual alert will stay on until the issue is resolved. If, and when, the situation returns to normal, the muted alarm will reset itself so that if another trouble situation arises, the audible alert will regain function, giving you the best chance of noticing that something is wrong with your system.
What Types of Septic Alarms Are There?
The type of septic alarm depends on how it’s powered. Septic alarms can be powered in several ways, including a dedicated circuit, exterior power, battery backups, and wireless systems.
Typically, it’s recommended that septic alarms be on a dedicated circuit, or at the very least, a separate circuit from the septic system’s effluent pump. Pump failures can overload a circuit and trip the breaker. When that happens, if your alarm is on the same circuit, it loses power as well and can no longer alert you to the issue.
When separate circuits are not possible, SepTech Canada can provide an exterior alarm with failover protection. This alarm type can isolate the effluent pump from the alarm circuit, so that in the event of an overload and a tripped circuit breaker, the effluent pump will be isolated and power to the alarm will remain, allowing the alarm to continue alerting homeowners to potential problems.
Some alarms have an additional battery backup circuit to provide an added layer of protection in the event of a power failure or a tripped circuit breaker on the circuit the alarm unit is operating from. The more ways you can protect the alarm’s function and continued operation, the better.
Wireless alarms offer more flexibility when adding an alarm to a system that didn’t previously have one, such as when the float cables and electrical are not already run and, in some cases, may not be possible. If a home has a concrete patio, deck, or other obstruction between the home and the septic tank, it may not be possible to run cabling to install a new outdoor electrical circuit or run alarm cables between the tank and the home. In this case, either WiFi or Bluetooth is used to transmit signals between the home and the septic tank to let homeowners know about potential problems.
Wireless systems can add flexibility to installations, but they also carry the risk of interference or other factors that can block the signal. If wireless signals cannot get between the transmitter and receiver, the alarms are rendered useless.
Most wireless systems have a “heartbeat” system to ensure the signal is passing properly between components. This system constantly tests the connection, and if components can’t communicate due to interference, electrical issues, or battery problems, another alarm signal is triggered to alert homeowners to the problem. This gives you the chance to resolve the communication problem before a septic emergency goes undetected.
What Does It Mean When Your Septic Alarm Goes Off?
A septic alarm goes off when the alarm detects that something is wrong with the septic system. If your alarm goes off, assume something is wrong with your septic system and that water levels in your septic tank are higher than safe.
Sometimes “nuisance alerts” get triggered, meaning the alarm goes off when things aren’t actually in a problem state. These can be dangerous as homeowners often realize nothing is wrong and disable, unplug, or mute the alarm without properly resetting it. This turns off the protection they may need later.
Nuisance alerts can be as simple as improper float installation or a float mast that requires adjustments. If the floats are not set properly, there may not be enough room between the levels at which effluent pumps kick in and when alarms are triggered. If so, introducing a large volume of water quickly into the tank (such as emptying a soaker tub) may trigger the alarm when nothing is actually wrong, and the system is simply pumping a larger dose to the drain field.
Another potential issue with alarms is the floats themselves; floats are mechanical devices that operate in somewhat “harsh” environments. Over time, a float may fail, or wiring may become corroded which prevents an alarm signal from being passed and homeowners from being alerted.
Most alarm units have a “test” function that confirms the alarm unit’s operation and its ability to respond to an alarm signal. It is a good idea to test not just the alarm circuit, but also the float itself at least annually. If the float or the connection between the float and the alarm unit has failed, the test button may function, but the alarm may not. Test floats and alarms at least once a year.
What To Do If Your Alarm Goes Off?
First, check your tank to see if the level is higher than normal. If it is, or even if you’re unsure, call your local septic professional. A full-service septic company typically has a 24/7 emergency line with people standing by ready to help when you need them. If the person answering can’t help immediately, they will typically have a technician on standby to assist. Septic technicians often need to call you back in a few minutes and walk you through some diagnostic questions and possibly some basic troubleshooting.
If they cannot resolve the issue over the phone, the next step may be a service call, vac truck, or both. The technician will know what is appropriate for the situation and advise you accordingly.
Here’s some good news: for most rural properties, unlike our friends in the city, the only source of water going into the septic tank is the home it is attached to. This means that if you don’t use any more water, the level in your tank will not get any higher, and you won’t be looking at a backup into your home. If your alarm goes off, alert the entire household to reduce water usage until the issue is resolved.
Most alarms are set to give you up to a day’s worth of water use so you can continue to operate your home, flush toilets, and wash your hands while your alarm condition is getting resolved; but it’s always wise to play it safe.
For a related SepTech Canada post on what to do when your septic tank alarm goes off.
How to Prevent Your Septic Alarm From Going Off
- Stay on Top of Maintenance: An annual check-up from a septic professional goes a long way. Catching minor issues early means you can fix them before they turn into a full system replacement. Ask your technician to test the pump, floats, drain field, and delivery lines during each visit so small problems get flagged before they trip the alarm.
- Be Mindful of Water Usage: Your system can only handle so much at once. Rather than running several loads of laundry back-to-back or showering back-to-back, space things out over the day or week to keep the tank from being overwhelmed.
- Be Careful What Goes Down the Drain: Grease, wipes, and anything that isn’t biodegradable don’t belong in a septic system – they can clog lines and strain the tank, so keep them out entirely.
When a Septic Alarm Is a True Emergency
Sewage backups into the house: When your system has reached capacity, water or sewage can come up the drains and toilets.
Strong odour indoors: A serious blockage can cause a foul odour near the tank but also inside your home.
Flooding or pooling of water: Standing water near the tank or drainfield at the same time as an active alarm means you need to have your tank looked at immediately.
How to Tell if Your Septic Alarm Needs a Replacement
Properly maintained alarm systems can last 15-20 years, sometimes even more. As long as you check the alarm unit and the float regularly, you should feel protected when it comes to your home and preventing flooding and backups. Like any electronics, when in doubt, replace it. The individual components of an alarm system are inexpensive, especially compared to the cost and damage caused by failed septic systems.
You have options, regardless of obstructions or restrictions related to your property’s layout. Interior alarms, exterior alarms, and wireless alarms will have you covered, giving you and your home the protection you need when you need it.
Why Do You Need a Professional?
Always call a professional if your septic alarm is going off. SepTech’s 24/7 emergency response line always has technicians on standby, ready and waiting to speak with you about septic services and emergency scenarios.
Our techs will be on the phone with you within minutes. Once you’re connected, they’ll walk you through some basic diagnostic questions, have you check on a few things if you’re able to, and even walk through some troubleshooting when appropriate.
If the problem isn’t resolved over the phone, our technicians will review your options and next steps and discuss any costs involved in the resolution. Our commitment to clients means we are always available to help when you need us.
Time to Get an Alarm
There is NO good reason not to have an alarm. Even brand new pumps are still mechanical devices. Impellers can get jammed, electrical and float-related problems can happen, and when they do, you need to know before your system backs up into the home. Even if your system was installed when alarms weren’t yet mandatory, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one. Everyone with a septic system needs to have a properly functioning alarm system. Period.
We have 24/7 emergency service and are prepared to answer any questions you may have about your septic system and alarm. SepTech Canada offers the highest-quality solutions for septic system issues. If you need an inspection or maintenance, call (780) 640-1518 or fill out our contact us form.
