Hours: Mon – Fri 7:30am – 7:30pm

One of the best ways to prevent muck and debris from clogging your septic tank is by getting a filter – the right filter. Some homeowners can get by without a filtration system, but most others can’t live without one. 

Today’s post will cover a few frequently asked questions concerning septic tank filters.

Why is My Septic Tank Alarm Going Off?

Some septic tanks are installed with an alarm system to help warn you whenever water levels are dangerously high. If your alarm system is constantly going off, then it’s likely due to your tank having an excessively high or low water level. It might also be that your alarm has a malfunctioning float switch. 

Septic tank alarm systems can last between 15 to 20 years (or more), but like any electronic device, they can malfunction for a number of reasons, triggering the alarm. 

Missouri Septic Services provides Septic Tank Pumping Service

What to Do When Your Alarm Goes Off

If your alarm is going off, you should: 

  1. Switch on the alarm box or push the red button to turn it off. 
  2. Look where the red and green lights are located. A green light means the alarm is powered on. The red light often means that the water levels are too high. 
  3. Check your septic breaker. Ensure it is powered on and doesn’t have standing water around it. 
  4. If the red light doesn’t turn off after 10 hours, call your local septic tank professionals at Missouri Septic or call a plumber. 

A good service technician can usually resolve the situation over the phone. Most alarms are designed to go off early enough so that you have an entire day’s worth of washing dishes, doing laundry, and running the shower without the septic tank’s wastewater backing up into your home. 

However, the system does need to be pumped immediately. 

In the meantime, stop using the water so that the water level doesn’t rise. Call a professional if you do not know how to repair your equipment correctly, be it a pumping chamber or an electrical box. Falling into a septic tank or getting shocked can be fatal.

What Triggers a Septic Tank’s Alarm System? 

  • Heavy rain. Too much groundwater is likely entering the system. This happens after lots of heavy rain over several days which overloads the septic system with water and triggers the alarm.

     

  • Power issues. A faulty electrical system can trigger the septic tank alarm to go on and off.

     

  • Disconnecting the alarm. Accidentally disconnecting the alarm from the septic system could cause it to sound off.

     

  • Failure or damage to alarm or surrounding system. If the alarm itself has a failing component, like a malfunctioning float switch, it will power on inconsistently. On the other hand, it can also come down to damaged pipes or a clogged pump.

     

  • Overuse. Overburdening your septic tank system by running too much water through it at one time can lead to alarm malfunctions which may not indicate that anything is wrong.
 
Overhead view of an open residential septic tank. Safety cover removed.Outlet filter screen visible.

Where is the Septic Tank Alarm Located? 

They’re typically installed inside the home, but some can be outside, mounted on a wall, or in an outbuilding. Some systems are wireless and have a connected component in or near the tank. 

The Benefits of Having an Alarm in Your Septic Tank System

The alarm signals that you’re nearing a dangerous point: a septic tank overflow. But it’s just a warning that alerts you to make changes quickly. Older systems may not have alarms. Nevertheless, buying a new alarm and paying for a professional to install it is a worthwhile investment.

Consider this: the cost of replacing an alarm system or installing a new one far outweighs the potential cost of wastewater flood damage in your home. 

Like anything else, septic tank systems and their parts wear down over time and can get damaged by the elements. Without an alarm, you won’t get any warning signs about your exceedingly high water levels until it’s too late.

Types of Septic Tank Alarms

There are a number of different types of septic tank alarms. 

Outdoor High Water Alarms: These are water-tight alarm boxes that can be installed outdoors on a post or wall of a building

Outdoor Pedestal Alarms: Depending on the manufacturer, they can come with single or multiple control switches to activate an audio-visual alarm system. An outdoor pedestal alarm is often connected via wire to a submersible pump.

Indoor High Water Alarms: They are designed to be installed indoors, away from the harsh elements, and are connected to the septic tank by a wire affixed to a float switch.

How a Septic Tank Alarm System Works

The main components of an alarm system include: 

  • Float or Level Monitoring System: These tell the septic system to turn on and off. 
  • Visual Beacon: This gets activated to indicate visually that the water level is too high. 
  • Audible Alarm: This is where the noise emanates from and is often noticed more quickly than a visual beacon.
septic tank alarm diagram

Signs Your Alarm System Needs to be Replaced 

If your alarm rings continuously despite the tank having normal water levels, then it’s likely an indicator that the wastewater flow system is damaged. This is why the alarm cannot accurately detect the tank’s water level. 

What Emergency Septic Services are Needed?

If your alarm is frequently going off, then you might need emergency repair services. Ignoring the alarm could lead to sewage backing up into your home. Something has triggered the alarm and the best person to call to find out the root cause is a septic tank maintenance technician or plumber. 

If water levels repeatedly get too high, or if you already have wastewater backing up into the home, you’ll need emergency septic services like: 

  • Pumping Service: high-powered, truck-mounted vacuum pumps mechanically remove excess wastewater from your tank. 
  • System Evaluation: the entire septic system, including the alarm and its connected parts, is reviewed.
Sewer pumping machine. Septic truck. Pipe in the drainage pit. Pumping out sewage from a septic tank. Septic tank service

Contact Missouri Septic Services, Your Southwest Missouri Septic Systems Experts

Have an alarm going off? Looking for recommendations on alarm systems for your septic tank? How about system pumping, installation, or general maintenance? If so, call the team at Missouri Septic Services.

If you’re a homeowner with a septic system, having a reliable and trustworthy provider for all your septic needs is essential. That’s where Missouri Septic Services comes in. As a family-owned and operated business based in Springfield, MO, we pride ourselves on providing environmentally friendly sewage and non-hazardous wastewater disposal services and expert septic system repairs and installations. Our team of experienced septic system professionals is trained to handle any issue that may arise with your septic system, including drain field repairs. We understand the importance of keeping your septic system functioning correctly, not just for the health and safety of your family but also for the environment. That’s why we use eco-friendly methods to dispose of waste and ensure that our services always comply with local regulations.

Want to ensure your septic system runs smoothly while minimizing its environmental impact? Contact us today to find out how we can help!