5 Reasons Your Septic Alarm is Going Off

Is your septic alarm going off? If you didn’t already know, a septic alarm is a device attached to your system that monitors the water level in the tank. So there are many reasons that your sewer system’s alarm might be going off; they can range from weather issues to power outages and more.

Keep in mind that regardless of why your alarm is going off, your system probably needs urgent attention. If you’re dealing with a septic emergency like a sewage backup, call Puget Sound Septic right away; we’re available 24/7 to help with your septic emergencies.

Whatever the issue is, the Puget Sound Septic team can give you a hand – starting with a thorough inspection. Read on for more information and insight on your septic system’s needs.

1. Too Much Water

This is the most obvious option; your septic tank is full and needs time to empty. Water can only enter the drain field so fast, and if water goes in faster than it can get out, the tank will get too full. The alarm is your system’s way of warning you that it can’t take much more water. If you keep overusing water while the tank is too full, you may experience sewage backup.

Fixing this can be fairly simple; ease up on water usage until the system can catch up. If this isn’t possible, consider professional septic tank servicing.

2. Not Enough Water

Your septic system’s water level can also get too low! If the tank is too dry, the pump starts to take in air rather than water, which can damage the system through overheating.

If you’re still using the same amount of water as usual, a leak in the system could be the cause. Call Puget Sound Septic for a septic tank inspection to find the source of the problem.

3. Power Outage

Power outages can mess with electronics – and your septic system’s alarm is no exception. Whether the power flickered or the system became disconnected for any reason, power interruptions can cause false alarms.

If the alarm is going off following a power outage, turning off the alarm to reset it should fix the issue. If the alarm starts going off again after resetting, another issue is probably causing the alarm.

4. Excessive Rainfall

Normally, water is only supposed to enter your septic system through the pipes that lead to your home. However, if the ground becomes too saturated with water during a storm, groundwater may start to flow back into the system. It may also prevent wastewater from exiting the tank. Either way, this can lead to your tank overfilling.

If your tank is overfilled for any reason, reduce water usage until the tank’s levels lower again. This will give your leach field time to catch up.

5. Faulty Components

Finally, faulty parts could be the cause. A malfunction in anything from the floats to the alarm itself could cause a false alarm.

How to Turn Off Your Sewer Alarm

Turning off your sewer alarm – more accurately called your septic alarm – is a straightforward process. However, remember that if your alarm is going off for any reason, it’s cause to call for septic servicing.

• First, open the alarm box.

• There should be a red button or switch inside. Push the button or switch to turn off the alarm.

• Turn it back on. At this point, the alarm should stop.

If your alarm starts going off again within a few septic cycles, you may have an underlying problem.

If you’re unsure why your septic is going off, call a septic service professional to have it looked at. Your septic has a lot of parts that are inaccessible without a pro and with so many potential causes for the alarm, you might not be able to pinpoint your issue without them.

Call Puget Sound Septic for Septic Inspections

Regardless of why your septic system’s alarm is going off, you need help from the Puget Sound Septic team to make sure your system is working properly. Since , we’ve serviced the King County WA area’s septic systems with efficiency and urgency. We understand when a septic system malfunctions, time is of the essence.

Give us a call to get started with a service quote for our top-notch septic maintenance!