If you notice the alarm sounding and/or red light on, call for service. The only thing the alarm will not detect on its own is the actual treating of wastewater. If you experience odorous discharge from the sprayers or notice the system is not producing it's normal quality of treated effluent output, review the common service problems on the USER INFORMATION PAGE and/or call us for details or service.
RAIN OR STORMS?
During periods of heavy rains, you may hear the alarm sounding on your aerobic system. This may occur during the rain storm or after. This is a result of excessive infiltration of rainwater into the tanks. The effluent pump is designed to move 20 gallons per minute of water from the tanks to the sprayers, however, oftentimes during a rain storm more water can enter the tank than the pump is capable of dispersing. In the event of extremely heavy flow, the tank can even fill above the pump and wiring harness which may short out the pump entirely. If this occurs, you will need to call for service.
POWER OUTAGES?
In the event of a temporary power outage you may experience an alarm on the septic system once power is restored. Typically, you would simply need to mute the alarm and allow the system time to pump down to empty the tanks, however, if the power is out for an extended period of time (greater than a few hours or a couple of days) you may find that solids have begun to enter the pump tank. It may be necessary to have a service call performed to determine a needs for solids pumping/removal.
INFREQUENT USE OF THE SYSTEM - VACATION?
Should the system be used intermittently or if extended periods of non-use are anticipated, it is recommended that the system be allowed to remain "on" and in operation. You should not allow the contents of the system to go septic due to non-use. The system will also require "feeding" at times. It is advised that you either have a caretaker to add a handful of buttermilk or dog food to the toilets once a week if possible during periods on extended NON use. This can also apply to systems in which there are only one or two occupants in the home. If the system is receiving more GRAY water (washing, bathing, cleaning) vs WASTE water (flushing) then it may experience a decline in the number of microbes that can survive in the system. In that event, you may supplement by adding buttermilk or dog food to the toilets a time or two during the week. Contact us for details PRIOR to beginning to "feed" your system for advice.
You use your aerobic system on a day to day basis so we do understand the frustration that you feel when you have an alarm sounding or something is just not right and not working on your system!
We try to be available by phone as much as possible, however, as a family oriented business - we do believe in giving our techs time to spend with family and rest evenings and weekends!
In that respect, you may have to leave a message for us and we will return your phone calls as quickly as possible. Please remember that your system is designed to allow usage ABOVE the alarm sound (meaning the alarm is an "early" warning - you may still be able to operate the system for 24-48 hours until we can get our techs on site).
Typically, a broken sprayer or an outage of the aerator is not considered a dire emergency. You will be fine until we can get there with 24-48 hours. Pump failure can cause a backup into your home if not addressed in relatively short period of time.
We try to be available by phone as much as possible, however, as a family oriented business - we do believe in giving our techs time to spend with family and rest evenings and weekends!
In that respect, you may have to leave a message for us and we will return your phone calls as quickly as possible. Please remember that your system is designed to allow usage ABOVE the alarm sound (meaning the alarm is an "early" warning - you may still be able to operate the system for 24-48 hours until we can get our techs on site).
Typically, a broken sprayer or an outage of the aerator is not considered a dire emergency. You will be fine until we can get there with 24-48 hours. Pump failure can cause a backup into your home if not addressed in relatively short period of time.