How to Fix a Septic Tank Pump That Is Not Working

The septic system might contain a variety of pumps. To start, one may well have a sewage
pump, that can manage heavier solids (up to 2 inches), and therefore is typically used this to
transport sewage from the a lift station or sump in the building to the septic tank, either
between multiple septic tanks.

A grinder pump, as the title suggests, grinds up wastewater from the house before something
reaches your septic tank.

The effluent pump, also called as a lift pump or a wastewater pump, is the one we'll be
discussing below.

This pump is used to transport cleared (processed) septic tank effluent to the septic drain
field. When the septic field is higher than the septic tank and the wastewater needs to be
carried uphill through the septic system pipes, this is frequently required.

A float switch controls the operation of your septic tank pump, which switches it on or off
based on the amount of water in the effluent chamber. When the water level reaches a
particular level, a sensor is activated, and the pump starts pumping the wastewater to the
septic field.

The heart of a functioning septic system is the effluent pump. Debris washed into the pump
chamber from the main septic tank might clog effluent pumps.

The pump chamber of the septic tank is protected from pump debris by septic tank baffles,
which are situated over the outlet holes. These baffles can be broken by septic tank corrosion
or excessive pumping companies, allowing dirt, grease, and oils to pour into the pump
chamber.

If sludge or debris clogs the effluent pumps, they will fail to transfer waste water from the
pumping chamber, causing the septic tank alarm to go off.

SIGNS YOUR SEPTIC TANK PUMP ISN’T WORKING

One of the best features of current septic systems is that they usually come with an alarm
system that will notify you if your septic tank pump is failing to adequately drain the
chamber.

If you don't have a high-level alarm, please contact us and we'll gladly install one for you. In
fact, most jurisdictions now require a high-level alarm to be put in all septic systems due to
recent legislative developments.

Another clue that something is amiss with your septic tank pump is if it is producing more
noise than usual, or if wastewater is pouring back through your septic tank pipes and into
your house in severe circumstances.
Until something goes wrong, you usually don't pay much attention to what happens to your
extra water once it goes down the drain. To minimise costly damage, it's critical to get your
septic tank repaired on a regular basis.

You must first locate your septic tank before proceeding. Because your septic system is so
intricate, and because the majority of it is underground, problems can go undiscovered for a
long time.

Not only that, but when you do find a problem, pinpointing the specific location of the
problem might be challenging. If you're having troubles with your septic tank, one of these
five things is most likely to blame.

Clogs in Your Septic System

 Consider when your septic tank was last drained out if you're having septic tank
problems. Septic tanks fill up with waste over time, and grey water flows through
them to drain lines beneath in your yard.
 If your tank is excessively full, you may notice that your drains are slowing down or
that your toilet is backing up. Your septic system handles all of the water in your
house.
 The rate at which your tank fills up is determined by the number of people who reside
in your home and the amount of waste water you generate on a daily basis.
 You generally don't need to have your septic tank pumped again if it was pumped
within the last year or two. If that's the case and you're still having septic tank issues,
you're likely dealing with a blockage somewhere between your house and your septic
tank, and you'll need to figure out where it is.
 If your drains are all running slowly, you most likely have a blockage in one of your
home's drain lines. Items that should not have been flushed down your toilet can often
clog these pipes. These pipes have a diameter of 4" to 8" and are presumably narrower
than others. This allows debris to travel through some areas while becoming lodged in
others.
 When the sewers are clear but sewage is backing up inside the apartment's plumbing
fixtures or pooling around the septic tank, there's most probably a block in the effluent
filter. Whether this filter appears to be in fine working order, the issue could be with
the septic tank's input baffle.
 If you do have accessibility to this area of the tank, you ought to be ready to see
whether there is a blockage right away. You might even be able to shove the clog thru
the access link. When you're not certain what to do to get to all this, talk to a plumber.

Tree Roots are Infiltrating Your Pipes

 Tree roots that get in the path of the septic tank can also cause problems. Roots may
have penetrated your pipes if you see sewage backing up into your drains, strange
fractures in your driveway and sidewalk, or continuous puddles and damp spots in
your grass even when it hasn't rained.
  Roots can develop cracks in your drain pipes, which can spread over time and cause
significant damage. Your sewer pipes may even become clogged as a result of their
presence.
 Root infiltration may be avoided by replacing older pipes with modern plastic pipes
that can tolerate root damage. If you're thinking about planting new trees, make sure
you map out your pipes so you can plant far enough away from them.
 If you have trees close to your pipes, it's also a good idea to treat them with root
development inhibitors.
 If you suspect tree roots have already infiltrated your pipes, you can clean your septic
tank and pipes or eliminate existing roots with a solution flushed down your toilet.
 Cut down the trees whose roots are invading your pipes and remove the stumps to
prevent roots from sprouting back after you've cleaned up your pipes if you can bear
it.

Leaks in Sewage Tank or Lines

 Many homeowners dream of lush green grass, but if your lawn is lush green but the
plants around it are dead, it might indicate a septic tank leak.
 Green grass that doesn't seem to be going away might be a sign that your septic tank
is soaking your yard by delivering too much water via your lateral lines.
 Sewage may be pooling in your yard in this instance. To minimise any health dangers
and costly damage, you should speak with a plumbing specialist as soon as possible.

Incorrect Septic Tank Installation

 The location of a septic system is critical to its efficiency. Do you know if your septic
system was properly installed by the firm who installed it? You probably don't know
who installed the septic system if you bought an older home.
 Failure to bury the tank deep enough, installing the wrong-size tank, or utilising the
improper soil in the drainfield are all examples of installation errors that can lead to
septic tank failure.
 Septic tank backups may be avoided with regular maintenance, and you'll know
exactly what's going on with your septic system.

Increased Water Use

 Before it overflows, your septic tank can only contain so much water. Your septic
tank may collapse if you have a big number of individuals who rely on it.
 If you have a large family, expect many long-term visitors, or regularly host parties,
you should have your tank tested to ensure it is the appropriate capacity.
 You may need to upgrade to a larger tank if this is not the case.

REASONS YOUR SEPTIC TANK PUMP ISN’T WORKING

 What causes the failure will determine how easy it is to repair your septic tank pump.
There are several reasons why your pump isn't working properly.
  A blocked septic tank pump is one of the most prevalent causes of septic tank pump
failure. Pumps will stop working if they become blocked.
 The majority of rural residents are aware that they should only flush toilet paper down
the toilet. Occasionally, however, guests are unaware of this and flush feminine
hygiene items, “disposable” wipes, condoms, wrappers, and other rubbish, causing
serious damage to a septic pump.
 What causes the failure will determine how easy it is to repair your septic tank pump.
There are several reasons why your pump isn't working properly.
 A blocked septic tank pump is one of the most prevalent causes of septic tank pump
failure. Pumps will stop working if they become blocked. The majority of rural
residents are aware that they should only flush toilet paper down the toilet.
 Occasionally, however, guests are unaware of this and flush feminine hygiene items,
“disposable” wipes, condoms, wrappers, and other rubbish, causing serious damage to
a septic pump.
 It's possible that the problem isn't with the pump itself, but with the sensors that allow
it to function. The float controls that regulate when your pump turns on and off may
have been stuck or misplaced, or they may have failed.
 Finally, it's possible that the issue is electrical rather than mechanical. This might
indicate that power is not being provided to your pump adequately for a variety of
reasons.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

 To avoid accidently shocking yourself, turn off the power to your pump before
attempting any repairs. After that, you can look into the problem to see what's causing
it.
 Some problems with your pump, as previously stated, will be quite simple to resolve.
For example, if you notice that one of your septic tank pump's float controls has
gotten constrained or obstructed by debris, simply reposition the float until it is back
in the correct position.
 It may be feasible to remove and clean the pump itself if it has gotten blocked with
grease or debris, but most pumps are very heavy, and the removal operation is both
laborious and nasty.
 ou should separate the pump from the rest of the plumbing and remove it from the
tank after you've disconnected it from the electricity. Examine the propellers for any
blockages and clean them out with water to eliminate any leftover material.
 This can be difficult if you don't have much experience with septic tank care, and you
might be better off consulting a professional.

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR SEPTIC TANK PUMPING WELL

 Although a septic tank pump can fail at any time for a variety of reasons, there are a
few things you can do to reduce the chances of this occurring.
 Maintain your septic tank by having it inspected and serviced on a regular basis. This
will keep your septic tank in good working order and ensure that any problems are
detected early on before they become serious.
 know When is it time to replace your pump. The length of time your pump lasts is
determined by a variety of factors, but on average, a well-maintained septic tank
pump should last between 8 and 15 years.
 This is important to remember since a broken pump may need to be replaced rather
than repaired.