A septic tank alarm suddenly going off can be, well, alarming. But what does it mean?
First, it’s important to understand its purpose and what to check for. This will help ease your anxiety and give you an idea of what could be causing it.
If you don’t have a septic tank alarm, now is a good time to consider installing one. The advance warning it provides can save you from costly basement repairs.
What Does a Septic Alarm Mean?
Simply put, a septic alarm is designed to alert homeowners when household wastewater within the septic tank rises to a level it shouldn’t be at. High water levels are a telltale sign that something isn’t right within your septic system.
When a septic tank’s alarm goes off, it should provide enough warning for you to act before it becomes a serious, and possibly expensive, problem.
Septic Tank Alarm Going Off? Troubleshooting and Next Steps
1. Silence the Alarm
Most septic tank alarms have a silence or reset button, usually labelled “Silence,” “Mute,” or featuring a stop-hand illustration. Pressing this will silence the alarm, but it’s important to remember that it won’t fix whatever caused it to go off.
2. Check Your Wastewater Levels
A quick inspection inside and down your septic tank risers will tell you where your water levels are, how critical they are, or if they’re normal—indicating something else is triggering the alarm.
3. Limit Water Usage
Since the alarm signals that something isn’t operating properly, limit water usage until the issue is identified. Let everyone in the house know about the situation and ask them to minimize water use until the problem is resolved.
4. Call a Septic Professional
A septic professional will go through their septic alarm troubleshooting checklist over the phone and can often pinpoint the issue. If it can’t be diagnosed over the phone, the next step is an on-site system assessment.
What Causes a Septic Alarm to Go Off?
Most septic tank alarms are activated by higher-than-normal water levels. While false, malfunctioning, and low-level alarms (for advanced systems) can also trigger warnings, high water levels are the most common cause.
Pump Problems
Your septic pump is critical to a properly functioning system. If it’s not working correctly, wastewater delivery will be affected, leading to changes in water levels. A SepTech technician can determine if the pump is nearing the end of its lifespan, is jammed, or is the wrong size for your system. If the pump is the issue, a properly outfitted replacement is the solution.
Important to note: not all systems have pumps — some work on gravity alone. If that’s the case, something may be preventing your tank from draining.
Effluent Float Malfunction
Your effluent float acts as the gatekeeper for wastewater delivery. It determines how much goes out and when. If it’s not working properly, it won’t communicate with the pump and can impact water levels.
Electrical Issues
Power problems and interruptions can trigger septic tank alarms. First, check your electrical panel breakers. If your pump and floats are plugged into an outdoor outlet, test the outlets by plugging in another household device. If you can’t determine the issue, one of SepTech’s certified professionals can assess the power dynamics of your system.
Saturated Drain Fields
If the soil underneath your wastewater delivery lines is saturated, it can affect percolation rates. If wastewater has nowhere to go, it’ll remain in the system, leading to slower delivery and higher water levels. A septic field remediation specialist should be consulted to assess your drain field and discuss potential solutions.
Septic Tank Alarm Solutions
Pump Repair and Replacement
If your septic pump isn’t working properly, it’ll need to be repaired or replaced to restore normal flow and water levels.
DIY Pump Replacement: Things to Consider
If you choose to purchase and install a new pump yourself, ensure your system calculations are accurate. This includes factors such as:
- Size of delivery pipes
- Lift requirements
- Type and number of fittings
- Necessary pressurization levels
Float Adjustments
A faulty, misaligned, or dead effluent float will need to be replaced or recalibrated to maintain proper function.
Did You Know?
A properly pressurized drain field can actually push water 5 feet higher than the field itself. Under-pressurized drain fields can lead to pipe buildup, point loading issues, and premature system failures.
Septic pumps aren’t “one size fits all” and more horsepower doesn’t always mean better performance. A high-horsepower pump can still under-pressurize a drain field causing long-term damage.
For proper repairs and replacements, contact the professionals at SepTech.
Drain Field Assessment
If you suspect excess water in your septic field, a soil rejuvenation specialist should assess its condition and potential remediation options.
Preventative Steps: Avoid Future Septic Tank Alarms
1. Regular Maintenance
Have a septic professional check your system annually. This can help you catch and correct small problems before they can no longer be repaired, resulting in a costly system replacement. Schedule regular inspections to test pumps, floats, fields, and delivery lines to identify potential issues before they trigger an alarm.
2. Efficient Water Use
Don’t overload your system with excessive water use. Spread out showers throughout the day, and try to limit laundry to once a week.
3. Watch What You Flush
As always, never flush grease, wipes, or non-biodegradable materials into your septic system.
Note: If you plan to be away from home for an extended period, have a neighbour notify you if your septic tank alarm goes off.
Septic Tank Alarms: Call the Professionals
If your septic tank alarm goes off, your system needs attention. Whether the problem is big or small, it’s always best to call a septic professional to help diagnose the issue.
For all your septic tank service, repairs, and replacements, contact the experts at SepTech Canada.
