This Purchase Is A No-Brainer If You Have A Septic Tank System

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When you don't have public sewer access, your septic system is a saving grace. However, if you've never had one before, there are things you should know about a septic system before buying a house. While efficient at handling a home's wastewater, they require careful maintenance. For example, you may know that your septic tank needs to be pumped from time to time or that it's worth investing in the best toilet paper for a healthy septic tank with less clogs. But did you know that some septic tanks rely on mechanical pumps to move wastewater throughout the system? In these cases, installing a septic system alarm is a no-brainer, as it can alert you to high water levels or mechanical pump failures before an expensive (and very gross) disaster strikes.

Septic systems feature pipes that take wastewater from the home and funnel it into an underground tank. The waste then goes through a series of processes that allow solids to drop the bottom and oils to float to the top. The remaining wastewater slowly exits through a drain field where it filters through the soil. While many systems rely on gravity to complete these processes, properties with difficult terrain (think uphill drain fields or completely flat land) require pumps to help move wastewater through the system. But what happens when a pump unexpectedly fails? Sewage can back up into your home's plumbing or overflow outside. Fortunately, a septic alarm can alert you before a major plumbing emergency.

A septic alarm alerts you when the liquid level in your septic tank rises too high, which can result from a malfunctioning pump, a clog, or another issue. The alarm will trigger before the septic tank overflows or backs up into your home's plumbing, allowing you to (hopefully) identify and fix the problem. Depending on the type of alarm, it may be outside in a weatherproof box, mounted on a pole, wireless, or placed inside the home. An alarm typically features a loud warning signal and a flashing light, indicating high liquid levels. Modern septic system alarms, like the Sump Alarm from The Home Depot, may also be Wi-Fi enabled, sending a notification to a smart device when the alarm is triggered.

Septic system alarms aren't particularly expensive, running from less than $50 to a few hundred dollars, but they can potentially save you thousands in plumbing repairs and cleanups. Plumbing mistakes can cause more damage than you think, and the costs of remediation and repairs add up quickly. For example, a remediation for severe drain field saturation can run you as much as $5,000, while a major backup into your home can easily cost you over $6,000 for cleanup and repairs. If you want peace of mind and your septic system relies on a pump, investing in an alarm is the way to go.