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Alarm Response
Is your Septic Alarm Buzzing?
How to turn OFF the alarm sound:
Follow the sound & locate the buzzer. Press the button (may be lit) to turn the sound off (it may also be a small switch on the side of the control box). If the power goes out or is turned off, the alarm will reset and you will have to turn off the sound again.
IF YOU TURN OFF THE SOUND, YOU HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.
The alarm light should stay on as long as alarm condition exists.
Things to check for:
- Does the system have power? Check breaker panel in house or garage, look for breakers in the half/way position. Push hard to the off position, then back on.
- Is the safety switch turned off? This is like a light switch on the side of the house, near the septic tank.
- A leaking toilet. This can cause an overload. Check bathrooms you don’t use very often.
CALL: Office (360) 878-8712 or Evan (360) 888-8503
Why is my Septic Alarm Sounding?
--Effluent levels too high—(or too low)
Septic systems that pump wastewater from a pump tank to a drainfield or mound have an alarm that sounds when the wastewater is not pumping correctly. When the alarm goes off, you should have about a 400 gallon capacity (for newer systems) before the wastewater begins to back up into your house; this equivalent to about two days of reduced water use.
Some common causes are:
- The pump has broken (average life of a pump is 10 years).
- Electrical problems (wiring in Junction box, control floats, etc,)
- Power has been disconnected to the pump.
- Water is coming into the tank faster than it can be pumped to the drainfield.
If your alarm is buzzing, you should silence the alarm, check for power, then call a septic professional as soon as possible.
Never ignore the alarm; something has triggered the alarm and ignoring it may lead to further problems and expensive repairs.
The alarm is a warning device for the homeowner to correct the problem before it becomes a major problem. After the problem has been fixed, turn the alarm back on. Remember the alarm won’t work unless it is plugged in and turned on.
The faster you get a septic specialist to your house, the faster they can diagnose the problem and get your septic system working properly again.