Many septic systems are equipped with a septic alarm to alert the owner if there is a problem. However, many homeowners may not even realize they have an alarm until it goes off. While there are many different types of septic alarms with many different features, one of the basic alarms is to alert you when the septic system is not able to handle the amount of waste water coming in. Here is what you should do if this alarm goes off and what it could mean.
When a septic alarm triggers, it is often due to high water within the system. This means the pump is unable to process the amount of water coming in. This could be due to several issues, including:
- Too much waste water going down the drains for the system to handle
- If your septic system is on a timer, too much water for the period has entered the septic system
- Excess water from other sources is finding its way into your septic system, i.e. a groundwater leak into your system
The first thing to do when this alarm goes off is to stop putting any water down the drain. Cease all water activities in the house, including using toilets, showers, sinks, washers, etc. If you don’t, you will most likely have a septic backup headed your way.
In some cases, your septic system was just overloaded and needs to catch up. If you were using a large amount of water prior to the alarm, try not using drains in your home for a few hours. Also, check your circuit breaker to make sure that it did not trip the alarm. However, if nothing was out of the ordinary, it is time to call your septic professional to find out what the problem is within your system.
Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283
