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What does it mean when a septic alarm goes off?
The septic alarms are meant to go off when the water level in your septic system’s pump tank is either too high or too low because either condition can cause damage to the system and should be prevented.
Is a septic alarm necessary?
As a homeowner, it is vital to keep your septic system running smoothly. Any problems with your septic system will cause a lot of stress and may be disruptive to your home and lifestyle. This is where a septic alarm can help. A septic alarm helps measure the health of your septic tank.
What happens if septic pump fails?
Why septic systems fail These conditions can cause hydraulic failures and contamination of nearby water sources. Failure to perform routine maintenance, such as pumping the septic tank generally at least every three to five years, can cause solids in the tank to migrate into the drain field and clog the system.
Does my septic system have an alarm?
An alarm system gives you a warning when the water level in the pump tank is rising more than it should be or are the levels are too low. All septic systems with pumps should have some sort of timer installed. The timer controls when the pump is allowed to pump waste water into the drain field.
How does the alarm on a septic tank work?
Any conventional septic system designed so the drain field is at a higher elevation than the tank needs a pump to transfer effluent from the tank to the drain field. A float switch inside the tank tells the pump when to come on, and a separate float switch operates an alarm that comes on when the water level exceeds a preset minimum.
What does a red light mean on a septic alarm?
The red light means the alarm is getting a signal from the pump tank that the water level is getting higher than it should be. Next, check the septic breaker to make sure the septic system has power.
Do you need a pump for a septic tank?
Systems that are designed using gravity to siphon the wastewater downhill from tank to drainage area do not need a pump. Since gravity doesn’t stop working, there is no need for a septic tank alarm to indicate a potential problem with the pumping system in an electrical-based pumping.
Why is there a timer on my septic tank?
The timer controls when the pump is allowed to pump waste water into the drain field. This prevents the drain field from being overdosed during periods of increased water use. When a drain field is overdosed it can be damaged, and the timers prevent this from happening.