Date Posted: 2022-03-07

Why Your Septic Tank Alarm Is Going Off and What to Do About It

A septic alarm going off can be concerning, especially if you aren't sure what the alarm means or whether you can continue using water in your home.

The good news is that a septic alarm is designed to warn you about a potential problem before it turns into a sewage backup, overflow or more serious septic system failure. However, it shouldn't be ignored.

In most systems equipped with an alarm, the alarm indicates that the liquid level in a pump, dosing or treatment chamber has risen above its normal operating level. There are several reasons this can happen, ranging from excessive water use to a failed pump or electrical problem.

If your septic alarm is going off, reduce your water use and arrange to have the cause investigated if the alarm does not clear.

What Does a Septic Alarm Mean?

Septic systems come in several different configurations. Some operate primarily by gravity, while others use pumps, floats, control panels and treatment equipment to move or treat wastewater.

Systems containing a pump chamber or certain treatment components will commonly have an audible and/or visual alarm.

When wastewater reaches a predetermined high level, a float or sensor activates the alarm. The alarm is essentially telling you:

The liquid level is higher than it should be, and the system needs attention.

The alarm itself does not tell you exactly what has failed. Determining the cause requires looking at the entire system.

Why Is My Septic Alarm Going Off?

There are several common reasons a septic high-water alarm may activate.

1. Septic Pump Failure

If your system relies on a pump to move effluent to another component of the septic system, a failed pump can allow the liquid level inside the chamber to continue rising.

The pump itself may have failed, or another component may be preventing it from operating properly.

2. Float Switch Problem

Float switches monitor liquid levels and control when pumps and alarms activate.

A float can become stuck, damaged or otherwise fail to operate properly. Depending on the system, a float problem can prevent the pump from starting or cause an alarm to activate unexpectedly.

3. Electrical or Control Panel Problem

A septic pump requires electricity to operate.

A tripped breaker, damaged wiring, failed control component or other electrical issue can prevent the pump from operating even though the pump itself is still functional.

For safety reasons, homeowners should not attempt to open or repair electrical septic equipment unless they are qualified to do so.

4. Excessive Water Use

Sometimes the septic system is simply receiving wastewater faster than it can process or discharge it.

This can happen after:

Several loads of laundry
Long showers
Running multiple plumbing fixtures at once
Hosting additional people in the home
A leaking toilet or plumbing fixture
Other unusually high household water use

Reducing water consumption gives the system an opportunity to catch up.

5. Heavy Rain or Groundwater

Heavy rainfall, snowmelt or high groundwater conditions can sometimes contribute to septic alarm problems.

Water entering a tank, chamber or surrounding area can increase the amount of water the system needs to handle. Saturated soil conditions can also affect how efficiently parts of the septic system operate.

If your septic alarm regularly activates following heavy rainfall, that pattern is worth mentioning when you have the system inspected.

6. Blocked or Restricted Piping

A restriction in piping downstream from the pump can prevent wastewater from leaving the chamber at its normal rate.

This can cause the water level to rise and eventually activate the high-water alarm.

7. A Problem With the Septic or Treatment System

The alarm can also be an indication of a larger issue involving the septic system, treatment unit or dispersal area.

This is why simply silencing the alarm without determining the cause isn't a good long-term solution.

What Should You Do When Your Septic Alarm Goes Off?

If your septic alarm activates, don't panic—but don't ignore it either.

Step 1: Reduce Your Water Use

The first thing you should do is minimize water entering the septic system.

Until you know why the alarm is active, avoid unnecessary water use such as:

Running the washing machine
Running the dishwasher
Taking long showers
Filling bathtubs
Running several plumbing fixtures simultaneously

You don't necessarily have to stop every drop of water use, but keeping it to an absolute minimum reduces the chance of the high-water condition becoming a sewage backup.

Step 2: Silence the Audible Alarm

Most septic control panels have a button or switch that allows you to silence the audible alarm.

Silencing the horn does not fix the problem.

The warning light may remain illuminated until the liquid level returns to its normal operating range or the problem is corrected.

Step 3: Check for an Obvious Power Interruption

If there has recently been a power outage, the system may have temporarily been unable to pump wastewater.

Once power is restored, the system may need some time to return to its normal operating level.

If the alarm remains active, repeatedly returns or you are unsure why it activated, it should be investigated.

Step 4: Don't Attempt Electrical or Septic Repairs Yourself

Septic systems involve wastewater, gases and, in many cases, electrical equipment.

Avoid entering tanks, reaching into chambers or attempting electrical repairs yourself.

A septic tank should never be entered. Septic tanks and chambers can contain hazardous gases and present serious safety risks.

Step 5: Call for Septic Service if the Alarm Doesn't Clear

If reducing water use doesn't resolve the high-water condition—or the alarm returns—have the system checked.

A qualified septic technician can determine whether the problem involves the pump, floats, controls, piping, tank or another part of the system.

Allto Construction provides septic system repair and maintenance throughout Orangeville and South Central Ontario.

Does a Septic Alarm Mean the Tank Needs to Be Pumped?

Not necessarily.

This is an important distinction.

A high-water alarm tells you that the liquid level in a monitored chamber is higher than it should be. It does not automatically mean that accumulated solids in the septic tank are the cause.

The problem could instead involve:

A failed pump
A float switch
An electrical problem
Excessive water use
Groundwater infiltration
A blocked pipe
A problem farther downstream in the system

Regular pumping is still an important part of septic system maintenance, but pumping shouldn't be treated as the automatic solution to every alarm.

If you're unsure when your tank was last serviced, read our guide to septic pumping costs, frequency and warning signs.

Can I Still Use Water When My Septic Alarm Is Going Off?

You should significantly reduce water use until you know what caused the alarm.

Every litre of water going down a sink, shower, toilet or appliance eventually enters the septic system.

If the system already has a high-water condition, continuing normal household water use can make the situation worse and potentially lead to a backup.

Use only the water you reasonably need until the alarm clears or the system has been inspected.

Should I Have My Septic Tank Pumped?

Septic tanks require periodic pumping regardless of whether you have experienced an alarm.

Pumping removes accumulated sludge and solids before they can negatively affect the septic system.

How frequently a tank requires pumping depends on factors including:

Tank size
Number of people in the home
Household water use
Amount of solids entering the system
System design
Previous maintenance

If you don't know when your tank was last pumped, having the sludge and scum levels checked is a better approach than waiting for a problem to develop.

Allto Construction provides septic tank pumping and cleaning throughout Orangeville, Caledon and surrounding areas of South Central Ontario.

Can't Find Your Septic Tank or Lids?

Before a septic tank can be inspected or pumped, the access lids need to be located and accessible.

Older systems may have lids buried below grade, which can make routine maintenance more difficult.

If you're having trouble finding yours, read our guide on how to find your septic tank and lids before pumping.

If your lids are buried and need to be excavated every time the tank is serviced, installing risers may also be worth considering. Our guide to septic tank risers in Ontario explains how they work and when installing them makes sense.

When Is a Septic Alarm an Emergency?

A septic alarm deserves attention, but the urgency depends on what else is happening.

Contact a septic professional promptly if:

The alarm remains active
The alarm repeatedly turns on
The pump doesn't appear to be operating
Drains throughout the home are slowing down
Toilets aren't flushing properly
Sewage is backing up into the home
Sewage is surfacing outside
You notice strong sewage odours
The ground around the system is unusually wet
You suspect an electrical or mechanical failure

If sewage is actively backing up or surfacing, stop unnecessary water use immediately and arrange for service.

Septic Alarm Repair and Service in Orangeville & South Central Ontario

A septic alarm is there for a reason. Taking care of the problem early can often prevent a relatively manageable repair from becoming a sewage backup or more expensive septic system problem.

Allto Construction has been serving South Central Ontario since 1969 and provides septic pumping, inspection, maintenance and repair services for residential and commercial septic systems.

Our septic technicians can troubleshoot high-water alarms and determine whether the problem involves the pump, floats, controls, piping, tank or another component of the system.

We provide septic service throughout Orangeville, Caledon, Grand Valley, Shelburne, Erin, Fergus, Elora, Georgetown, Alliston, Newmarket and surrounding areas of South Central Ontario.

If your septic alarm is going off and you're unsure why, contact Allto Construction to arrange service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Septic Alarms

Why is my septic alarm going off?

A septic alarm generally indicates that the liquid level in a monitored chamber has risen above its normal operating level. Possible causes include a pump or float failure, electrical problems, excessive water use, groundwater infiltration, blocked piping or another septic system issue.

What should I do when my septic alarm goes off?

Reduce household water use, silence the audible alarm if necessary and monitor the system. If the alarm doesn't clear, repeatedly returns or you notice other signs of a septic problem, contact a qualified septic service company.

Can I use water while my septic alarm is on?

Water use should be kept to a minimum until you know why the alarm activated. Additional wastewater entering an already high chamber can increase the risk of a backup.

Does a septic alarm mean my tank needs pumping?

Not necessarily. A septic alarm indicates a high-water condition or another monitored system problem. The cause could be a failed pump, float, electrical component, excessive water use, infiltration or another issue. The system should be diagnosed before assuming pumping will solve the problem.

Can heavy rain cause a septic alarm?

Heavy rainfall or high groundwater conditions can contribute to high-water conditions in some septic systems. If your alarm frequently activates after significant rainfall, mention this pattern when having the system inspected.

Should I turn off my septic alarm?

You can normally silence the audible horn using the silence button on the control panel, but this does not correct the underlying problem. Don't simply disable the alarm and ignore it.

Who should I call if my septic alarm keeps going off?

A qualified septic service technician can inspect the system and determine whether the problem involves the pump, floats, controls, piping, tank or another component. Allto Construction provides septic system troubleshooting, pumping, maintenance and repair throughout Orangeville and South Central Ontario.

WHY YOUR SEPTIC TANK ALARM IS GOING OFF AND WHAT TO DO