Septic alarm going off?

What to do right now

1. Silence the buzzer

   Most panels have a button or switch that turns off the sound. The light usually stays on until the water level drops.

2. Cut back on water

   Hold off on laundry, the dishwasher and long showers, and flush only when you need to. There’s a little room in the tank above the alarm level, but not much.

3. Check the pump’s breaker

   If it has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off. That points to a problem with the pump or its wiring.

4. Give it a few hours

   If the pump runs and the light goes out, the system may have caught up after heavy use or a lot of rain. Have it checked soon anyway. An alarm that keeps coming back points to a problem with the pump, the float, or water getting in.

5. Call if it doesn’t clear

   Call (302) 212-0798 if the alarm stays on, the breaker trips again, or you see sewage anywhere.

Common causes

• A failed pump or a stuck float. The float switch tells the pump when to run. If it sticks or the pump stops working, the water keeps rising.
• A tripped breaker. The pump has no power until the breaker is reset.
• A lot of water at once. Back-to-back laundry, houseguests, or a running toilet can fill the pump tank faster than the system is set to empty it.
• Rain or groundwater getting in. Loose lids and cracked risers let water in during wet weather.