If you have a septic system with a drain field then I recommend that you install a septic tank alarm if you do not have on installed already. The alarm should be located in a part of your home or property where you can easily see it flashing or hear it beeping.
Newly built homes usually come equipped with a septic tank alarm. If you hear the buzzing of an unknown alarm or the flashing of a mysterious red light, it may be your septic alarm. This alarm notifies you when your septic pump is not working properly.
When the alarm sounds it generally means that the septic effluent (waste water in the septic tank) is not being pumping to the drain field successfully. Call a septic system cleaning company immediately. This type of problem can quickly lead to the septic effluent backing up and finding its way into your basement. Do not get caught up on the cost of pumping your septic system; it is much cheaper to clean your system than it is to renovate your basement and get rid of the septic odor in your house.
There are times when a septic alarm will go off and the pump is still working fine. Being able to diagnose these situations can save you time and money. Use the follow list to help you determine why your septic alarm is sounding.
- Have you been properly maintaining your septic tank? A well-maintained septic pump usually lasts between 10 and 15 years.
- Could the power to the septic pump be disconnected? If there is no power, it will appear that the pump is malfunctioning when it is not.
- Are the lines in your drain field plugged up? They can clog when your septic tank is over used and when the drain field is clogged it can cause water to back up into your home.
- Could there have been a power outage in your area or a blown fuse that caused the septic pump to lose power?
- Do you have your septic system pumped out on a regular basis (every 1 to 3 years)?
Ignoring the septic tank alarm can result in a smelly mess in your basement, so make sure that you never ignore the alarm. Many people do not have a septic tank alarm installed, so they do not have the luxury of an early warning system and may one day wake up to a basement full of waste water.
Installing the alarm and using it properly will save you time, money and labor.