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Photo of a common sewage ejector pump alarm installed in a basement Aerobic Septic System Alarm

Alarm light or tone troubleshooting & repair

Aerobic septic system alarmn installation, alarm codes, & alarm problem diagnosis:

How to fix an aerobic septic system alarm that won't shut off. Checklist for aerobic septic alarm diagnosis & repair.

This article series discusses problems that occur in aerobic septic systems, also known as aeration septic systems or fine-bubble septic aerators.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

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Aerobic Treatment Unit Alarms

SKETCH of a typical aerobic treatment unit tank, aerator, chamberTurn off the Aerobic Septic Alarm

Aerobic (and other) septic alarms sound to warn of an operating problem with the system that could risk a sewage backup into the building.

If your aerobic septic alarm is visual-only you will see a flashing or solid-on red light on the alarm box or cover over your septic system or pump.

Yellow light septic alarm: aeration problem.

Red light septic alarm: high water in the septic tank = HWA - high water alarm. Turn off water, turn off the alarm, call your septic contractor. (Below we give a few things to check first.)

Audible septic alarm: buzz, shriek or whistle: go look at the alarm lights. Don't panic.

If your alarm provides a bell or buzz you will, of course, hear it. On the control panel there is usually a COMP switch that yoyu can set to "mute" to stop the alarm sound. More diagnostic and repair steps are given below in enough detail that you may be able to fix the aerobic system trouble yourself.

If there's no COMP switch, look for a lit-up button or red "off" button on the alarm box. This switch will stop the alarm from sounding.

On most septic alarm systems the warning light will remain illuminated until the pump problem has been repaired.

Audible septic alarms are usually installed in a building to alert occupants because the red-light alarm at the septic system may not be readily visible.

Every septic maintenance company, manual, and guide we reviewed says don't panic when your septic alarm sounds - it's usually not an emergency.

Should You Wait Before Calling your Septic Company for Repair?

Some septic repair companies have suggested that you should

  1. turn off the alarm,
  2. turn off any water runnning into the tank and let the efflent level in the tank drop, then turn the alarm back on
  3. let your aerobic effluent-dispersal spray system cycle through its sequence once or twice.

This may make sense if your aerobic spray system has not run for a time AND if your water usage was unsually high - for example during an event at which you had many visitors using the baths or toilets in your home.

Watch out: if your drains are slow, gurgling, or backing up repair is more urgent as you do not want a sewage backup into the home.

As a temporary, emergency measure, if your building's sewer line includes an outside cleanout access port, opening that port can permit sewage to spill onto the lawn rather than backing up into the building.

While it is never proper nor code-legal to discharge sewage to the surface, in an emergency, to protect a buiding, that's a defensible step. In that case you certainly need to call for emergendy repair.

See CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR for help with slow drains.

You might also want to see SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION.

If your drains have already backed up and spilled sewage in the building

see SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO.

In any event unless you find something trivial, I would call your septic maintenance company to schedule a service call, even if it's not an emergency.

Aerobic components to check in response to an alarm or red light

Alderon Versa'larm used to monitor aerobic tank and pump - at InspectApedia.com and cited in this articleIllustration: Alderon's Versa'larm™ I/O that can be used to monitor aerobic septic system effluluent levels & pump operation. Below we give information about this pump and include company contact information.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Let's start with the brand and model of your aerobic system - if we know that we can find, if you don't already have one, the owners' manual that will de-code warning lights on the system.

A standard list of aerobic components to check in response to an alarm or red light includes some of the items you've already confirmed, and includes some items or features that may not be present on your aerobic septic system (that's why we need to know what system is installed).

Typicallly an aerobic septic system includes several major components & controls that you will need to check, including an air compressor for the aerator, an effluent pump for effluent disposal, and the controls that operate those pumps.

You'll also check for kinked, leaking, or crimped tubing or piping, and for effluent treatment equipment or its screens or filters that are not working or are clogged.

Homeowner Steps for Aerobic Alarm Diagnosis

Watch out: do not attempt to open, lean over, or enter a septic tank or effluent treatment chamber unless you are trained and equipped to do so. You can be overcome by methane gas and septic fumes; falling into a septic tank is often fatal.

Typically aerobic septic service companies consider only two steps safe for a homeowner to perform:

Here are diagnostic steps that are usually followed by an aerobic septic service company:

Aerobic Service Company Typical Septic Alarm Checklist

  1. Check the air compressor or air pump that supplies pressurized air to the aerator: check that the air pump has electrical power and is running. You'll feel it buzzing or vibrating and you might hear it.

    Check for tripped circuit breakers, look for disconnected wires.

    Watch out: as reader David reported in 2014, the aerator pump may be running but not actually pumping air. His pump had a bad diaphraghm. Other pump damage such as a damaged or broken impeller or worn bearings can also cause inadequate air pressure in the system.
  2. Check the air pressure sensing tube that tells the alarm that the system has air pressure: be sure that the tube is not kinked, clogged, blocked
  3. Check the air line between the air compressor and the tank aerator to be sure the line is intact, connected, not kinked, not leaking (air bubbles coming out of a hole or crack int he tubing).
  4. Check for a clogged diffuser in the septic tank. A clogged diffuser can block air flow and clog the whole system.
  5. Check the level of wastewater in the septic treatment tank: is wastewater above high water level line - that will set off a high septic waste alarm.

    If there is high water in the effluent tank check the next items:
  6. Check the effluent sprinkler pump control float. Rising wastewater should lift the float that in turn operates a switch that turns on the pump.

    If the float is stuck by debris, obstructions or anything in the pumping chamber the sewage grinder pump cannot turn on and off as it should.
  7. Check the aerobic septic effluent / sprinkler pump timer or photocell to be sure that these are working to turn on the sprinkler pump
  8. Check the sprinkler pump: If your aerobic system uses sprinklers to distribute effluent, confirm that the sprinkler pump has electrical power and is working. As we noted for the air pump, a clog, damaged impeller, failed bearing, or a failed pump control can leave the pump not working at all or not pumping adequately.

    If the sprinkler pump runs but the effluent distribution sprinklers are not working when they should, then continue to check these items:
  9. Check the pump for a clogged inlet screen protecting the effluent pump
  10. Check for a clogged chlorinator treatment system for the septic effluent
  11. Check for clogged aerobic sprinkler spray heads not passing effluent. A spray head may be jammed or broken entirely or it may be debris clogged. A filter or screen at the inlet or base of sprinklers can become clogged and may simply need cleaning or replacement.
  12. Check for broken or clogged effluent distribution piping between the effluent pump and the aerobic effluent sprinkler - spray heads

For sewage pumps and septic effluluent pump alarms on other types of septic systems

see SEPTIC PUMP ALARM SYSTEMS

Septic Alarm Sources & Aerobic Septic Alarm Instructions

Our video demonstrates the operation of a septic tank pump system alarm.

InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information provided free to the public - we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website. We do not sell products nor services.

Watch out: As with all electrical equipment these septic system controllers and alarms must be installed by a qualified technician and in accordance with model and local electrical and plumbing codes. Failure to properly install and ground electrical equipment risks shock, fire, injury or death.

Little Giant 303HWXT High Water Alarm from Franklin Elecdtric, cited & discussed at InspectApedia.com Little Giant 303HWXT High Water Alarm from Franklin Elecdtric, cited & discussed at InspectApedia.com

Above: the Little Giant 303HWXT Indoor/Outdoor High Water Alarm (115V model) from Franklin Electric, cited below.

Norweco Singulair Alarm & Control Center cited & discussed at InspectApedia.com

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2020-05-07 0 - by (mod) - red alarm light at septic tank stays on

It may not be enough with the pump is running. Check the effluent level in the tank. If that's not dropping there's something wrong with the pumping system.

On 2020-05-07 by lafondmike634@gmail.com

I had all four tanks cleaned and a new air pump installed. Once the tanks got full the main pump comes on but the red light stays on. I can hear the air pump running.

On 2020-01-23 - by (mod) -

Loose coupling on air piping at aerobic septic prevents proper aerobic septic operation - how to repair (C) InspectApedia.com BrandiBrandi

you posted this question and we replied in detail at

AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC PROBLEMS

please take a look and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions

On 2020-01-23 by brandimurray2010

This circled piece is vigorously vibrating and not secured on either end when system is on.

On 2019-10-28 - by (mod) - DId your Hoot Aerobic septic pump turn back on?

Michael

DId your Hoot Aerobic septic pump turn back on? Some pump systems do not run 24/7 but rather are on a timer while other designs keep the pump on all the time.

If the aerobic pump never turns on then the sensor reporting its operation is defective and it's also time to diagnose and/or replace the pump.

See details

at HOOT AEROBIC SEPTIC TROUBLESHOOTING

On 2019-10-24 by Michael

I have a hoot aerobic system. The air pump is not running but the system control panel still has a green light and says system is fine. Isn't the pump supposed to always be running and if so why no alarm?

On 2019-04-14 by (mod) - Norweco Singulair Aerobic System alarm light is flashing twice then a 3 second delay and 2 flashes

Norweco Singulair Alarm & Control Center cited & discussed at InspectApedia.comRe-posting:

Chris said:

Norweco Singulair Aerobic System alarm light is flashing twice then a 3 second delay and 2 flashes.

From what I can find this indicates a problem with the motor.

I bought a new motor and installed it and still getting the same alarm. What could be the issue?

This question and reply were originally posted at AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC PROBLEM FAQs

Illustration: Norweco's Service Pro® Control Center used iwth Singulair® septic systems.

Anon said:

Chris:

Check for an outlet blockage.

Moderator said:

Norweco aerobic septic system control panel and alarm lights & reset button - adapted from Norweco and cited in detail at InspectApedia.comFor an open motor or under current condition, the alarm on a Norweco Singular control center will display two short flashes followed by a pause.

I'm not sure about the 2-3 flash you describe.

You don't describe which septic and control models you have from Norweco except for the Norweco Singulair alarm.

If you have the MCD or TNT model of Norweco Singular system see the appropriate "Quick Start Guide" below for help in responding to an alarm. Else contact Norweco at the location I'll give below.

Here are some Norwco septic system manuals that may help you.

Give Norweco a call.

Norweco
220 REPUBLIC STREET
NORWALK, OHIO, USA 44857-1156
TELEPHONE (419) 668-4471
FAX (419) 663-5440
www.norweco.com

Question: Enbironment One Aqua Safe® aerobic alarm sounding

AquaAire aerobic septic system as installed, Ecological Tanks, Inc., Downsville LA, cited & discussed at InspectApedia.com2020/01/25 Joyce said:

Thank God you are here!

We have an Aqua safe system. Had it cleaned out yesterday and now our aqua safe alarm is going off.

I was told this is normal and should go off in a few days

. I have been trying to research this. could this be due to lack of liquid in the tank causing low pressure? Do we need to fill it with water?

This has never happened before.

Photo of an Aqua-Aire aerobic septic system as installed, showing the control box location. Photo courtesy of AquaAire cited above.

This Q&A were posted originally

at AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC PROBLEM FAQs

Reply:

Joyce

First let's silence the alarm; there should be a switch or button on the control box that will do that. (Post a photo of your control box and I may be able to comment further).

An septic alarm might sound for up to 30 minutes after power has been off to the system, but if the alarm is sounding longer than that more action is needed.

If you don't have an owners's manual for your AquaSafe aerobic system, you might give a call to

Ecological Tanks, Inc. - Manufacturers of Wastewater Treatment Systems 2247 Hwy 151 North, Downsville, LA 71234 USA Tel: (318) 644-0397 (Mon-Fri 8AM - 5 PM) though you can also contact the company by email aquasafe@bayou.com

But you shouldn't need to fill your system with water; normal use of plumbing in the home should be all that's needed.

I rather suspect there's a stuck control or float or a leak in the air pump system.

On your AquaSafe the two causes of an alarm to sound are HIGH water (that would mean a pump isn't working) or an aerator pump failure - check that your aerator pump is running.

The company says

" If an alarm condition is observed, it is an indication of malfunction.

First check the electrical circuit providing power to the system to insure the circuit is closed.

Check the aerator compressor to be sure it is operating.

Check for over heating, excessive vibrations and unusual noises.

If an aerator compressor failure is observed, call your service provider for service.

After a power outage, an alarm condition may exist. Should an alarm remain on for more than thirty (30) minutes after power is restored, you should call your local service provider to report the alarm."

I'm looking for more information to see what I can add.

If your Aqua-Safe aerobic is in the AS-500-1500 series then you can download the owners' manual

At inspectapedia.com/septic/Aqua-Safe-AS500-1500-Owners-Manual.pdf


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Continue reading  at AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC PROBLEMS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see AEROBIC SEPTIC ALARM SYSTEM FAQs - questions & answers about troubleshooting alarms and warning lights on aerobic septic system controls, pumps, etc. - posted originaly on this page.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

AEROBIC SEPTIC ALARM SYSTEMS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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