High water levels are the most common reason we see septic tank alarms being triggered day to day, but this is not the only reason. Additionally, septic tank alarms are often not emergencies, but they do require a technician to diagnose the cause.
Quick Summary:
Show summary
- A septic alarm is usually an early warning, not an immediate emergency
- Common causes for alarms: High water levels, broken floats, & clogged filters
- Reduce water use immediately (laundry, showers, dishes, toilets)
- Do not ignore the alarm – Call Luna immediately to schedule a tech visit
- Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent future septic alarms
Article:
If your septic alarm is going off, here are your immediate next steps – DON’T PANIC!
- Turn off the alarm SOUND at the control panel by flipping this switch into its middle position. This will silence that terrible sound that scares you and your neighbors.
- Call Luna Environmental immediately by clicking the button below. On the phone we will:
a. Create an immediate service order
b. Take a few notes about your alarm & septic system
c. Send a technician to you ASAP!
If your septic alarm is going off, here are your immediate next steps – DON’T PANIC!
- Turn off the alarm SOUND at the control panel by flipping this switch into its middle position. This will silence that terrible sound that scares you and your neighbors.
- Call Luna Environmental immediately by clicking the button below. On the phone we will:
a. Create an immediate service order
b. Take a few notes about your alarm & septic system
c. Send a technician to you ASAP!
Here’s what you need to know
What does a septic alarm mean?
Your septic system alarm is rarely an immediate emergency. It’s actually an early warning system that tells you something bad might happen if the current problem isn’t fixed. So why is your septic alarm going off? Here are the most common reasons we see septic system alarms going off & why:
Extremely Common: High Water Levels:
In your septic system there are small floats that rise up with rising water levels. If the water levels get too high, one of these floats will rise with the water, triggering the alarm system. This is your system’s way of saying: “Hey! There’s too much water in here!” So what action should you take immediately as the home owner before our technician arrives?
Limit your water usage temporarily. That means laundry, dishes, showers, baths, & toilets. Use less water! Don’t worry… this is temporary.
Why Could My Septic System Have High Water Levels?
Because your septic system is just a box of waste water underground, high water levels happen for 2 reasons:
- Too much water comes in at one time before the system can pump it out
This happens MOST OFTEN because homeowners do lots of laundry, dishes, and take lots of showers at the same time. There are environmental factors that can contribute to this problem, but we see this most commonly just because of water usage.
2. The system is not pumping out the waste water properly, and is therefore experiencing rising water levels
When an aerobic septic system is not properly pumping out water… that means your “pump tank” is getting too full.
While there are many reasons this can happen… here are the most common we see:
Broken Floats
Inside of your pump tank are 3 floats. As the water levels rise the floats raise with the water. These floats are tied to the pump tank metal pump and sit vertically on top of one another. As the water rises, the first pump will lift with the rising water levels, this triggers the pump to turn on, and begin pumping out the water. But if that float is broken, guess what happens… NOTHING. That means the water continues to rise with no pump out being triggered.
Clogged Filters
It’s no secret that the water running through these septic systems is dirty… That means the filters have to be cleaned. When filters get clogged with trapped dirt, grease, fats, and solids.
This slows down the amount of water the system can pump out, and therefore causes water to build in the final (pump) tank, overflowing the normal levels.
The truth is, there are many reasons why a septic system alarm can go off. These systems have many parts, and it gets technical fast. That’s why we’re here…
Heavy rain & winter storms can trigger your septic alarm
In some cases, septic alarms can also be triggered by electrical issues, power outages, or heavy rain saturating the drain field — all of which can prevent wastewater from moving through the system normally hence… your septic alarm going off.
What NOT to do when your septic system alarm goes off
- Do not ignore the alarm & resume normal water usage in your home. Like most things, ignoring the problem can and will make things worse. The alarm is there to protect the system & ultimately your wallet. Replacing a septic system is significantly more expensive than replacing a part or fixing a wire.
- Don’t flip the alarm switch to the down position. This puts the system in test mode & will cause the alarm to continue to sound.
- Don’t open the septic tank lids yourself. The first step in fixing the problem that set off the alarm is diagnosing the problem correctly. Our techs are formally trained, certified by the state of Texas, and insured. These systems are complicated & you don’t want to make the problem worse.
- Don’t turn off the system! Many of our customers are tempted to shut off the system, but this often makes things worse. Remember, the aerobic septic system is still breaking down solids, and moving waste water. If the system is turned off, this creates space for other problems to arise simply because the waste water is no longer being treated.
How Long Can I Wait After a Septic Alarm Goes Off?
While a septic alarm is not necessarily an emergency, time is still of the essence. As soon as your alarm goes off, call us immediately & one of our Luna technicians will be at your door in 24 hours or less. Depending on the schedule, we are often able to fix the problem the same day!
How to avoid future septic alarms
The best way to prevent septic alarms from going off in the future is through regular system maintenance. Most alarm issues don’t happen suddenly — they develop over time as filters clog, pumps wear down, or water usage patterns change.
A monthly septic maintenance plan helps catch small issues before they trigger alarms, backups, or expensive repairs. With routine inspections and service, components like pumps, floats, and filters are monitored consistently, reducing the chances of unexpected system failures.
For homeowners who want peace of mind and fewer surprises, enrolling in a monthly maintenance plan ensures your septic system is being watched year-round — not just when something goes wrong.
On this Page
- Article
- What does a septic alarm mean?
- Extremely Common: High Water Levels
- Why Could My Septic System Have High Water Levels?
- Broken Floats
- Clogged Filters
- Heavy rain & winter storms can trigger your septic alarm
- What NOT to do when your septic system alarm goes off
- How Long Can I Wait After a Septic Alarm Goes Off?
- How to avoid future septic alarms
- Recent Articles
