What to do When Your Septic Alarm is Going Off

December 3, 2018 By: Shopify API

It is important to react quickly when your septic alarm is going off to avoid a potential costly cleanup. If you need immediate assistance, call our emergency service line: 208.664.2133

Step-by-Step: What to Do When Your Septic Alarm Goes Off

Step 1: Silence the alarm. Typically, a control panel will have a button on the front that you can push to silence. If you have just a tank alarm it will usually have a switch to silence the alarm.

Step 2: Stop using water right away. This is crucial to preventing unnecessary expenses for pumping the tank.

Step 3: Find the cause. Remove the lid of your septic tank and observe inside. Check the liquid level of the tank and check for any apparent problems with the floats.

If you have a control panel, move the switch to “Manual” or “Hand”. If the pump starts to run and the liquid level in the tank is dropping, you most likely have a problem with a float switch. If the pump does not start or the motor is just humming without the liquid level dropping, you most likely have a problem with the pump.

If the motor starts when the switch is moved to “Manual” or “Hand”, you will want to test the float switch that turns the pump on and off. The float switch will be what is referred to as a normally open. A normally open float switch will be open when it is hanging down and closed when it tips up. Using an ohmmeter, test the switch for continuity. The meter will not get a reading when the float is down and will get a continuity reading when the switch is raised up.

If you do not have a control panel, your pump is most likely operated by a pump switch with a piggyback plug. The piggyback plug goes directly into the outlet and the pump plugs directly into the back of the piggyback plug. Remove the piggyback plug and plug the pump directly into the outlet. If your pump starts and the liquid level drops, you have a defective pump switch. If the pump does not start or just hums, you have a problem with the pump.

🚨 Can’t figure it out? Call our emergency service line now: 208.664.2133

Shop Replacement Float Switches

If your float switch is the culprit, we carry quality SJE-Rhombus replacement switches:

SJE-Rhombus Double Float Pump Switch 120V Pump Down 30' Cord — with plug for easy installation
SJE-Rhombus Double Float Pump Switch 230V Pump Down 20' Cord
SJE-Rhombus Double Float Pump Switch 230V Pump Down 30' Cord

Shop Replacement Effluent Pumps

If the pump itself has failed, we carry Barnes effluent pumps built for septic system applications:

Barnes SP33X Effluent Pump 0.33 HP 120V — reliable entry-level replacement
Barnes SP50AX Effluent Pump 0.5 HP 120V Automatic — built-in float for automatic operation
Barnes SP75X Effluent Pump 0.75 HP 120V — higher capacity for larger systems
Barnes EP52X Effluent Pump 0.5 HP 230V — 230V option for standard septic systems

Need a Professional to Handle It?

If you’re not comfortable diagnosing or replacing septic system components yourself, R.C. Worst & Company offers expert pump system services. Our team can help diagnose the issue, source the right parts, and get your system back up and running.

🚨 Emergency Service Line: 208.664.2133

Request Service or Expert Help →

You can also call our main line at 855.329.4519, live chat at www.rcworst.com, or email Customer.Service@RCWorst.com.