That beeping box on the side of your house is a high-water alarm. It means water in your pump tank is higher than it should be. It's a warning. You have a little time, but not much.
Call us and we'll get a technician out to find the cause: a failed pump, a stuck float, a tripped breaker, or a tank that's just full.
What's included
- Check power, breakers, and the alarm panel
- Test the floats and the effluent pump
- Pump the tank down if it's near overflowing
- Replace failed pumps, floats, or alarm panels
- Check the drainfield if the pump runs but water doesn't leave
Signs you need this
- Red light on and beeping alarm box
- Alarm goes off after laundry or heavy water use
- Alarm keeps coming back after you silence it
- Gurgling drains along with the alarm
What to do when the alarm goes off
Press the silence button. Then cut your water use right away: no laundry, no dishwasher, short showers only. Check the breaker for the septic pump.
If the alarm stops on its own after a few hours, the pump may have caught up. If it comes back, or never stops, call. A pump tank can overflow into the yard or back up into the house.
Which homes have alarms?
Systems with a pump chamber, a pressure-dosed drainfield, or an advanced treatment unit usually have an alarm. These are common on hillside lots and newer homes around Reno, Carson Valley, and Truckee.
Septic Alarm Going Off cost
A service call to diagnose an alarm is usually modest. A replacement float runs a few hundred dollars. A new effluent pump installed is often $800 to $2,000 depending on the pump.
See the full Northern Nevada price guide →
Septic Alarm Going Off near you
We serve homes on septic in 22 towns and neighborhoods across Northern Nevada:
Common questions
Can I just unplug the alarm?
Don't. The alarm is the only warning before sewage overflows. Silence it, cut water use, and call.
Why does my alarm only go off after laundry?
A big burst of water can outrun a weak pump or a clogged filter. It's an early sign something needs attention.