Septic system repairs

Common septic repairs and what causes them

A septic system has mechanical parts that wear out: the effluent pump, the alarm float switch, the inlet and outlet baffles, and the wiring that connects the control box to the pump and the house panel. Mississippi weather adds its own pressure. Heavy clay soil shifts. Roots from nearby hardwoods find pipe joints. Groundwater rises during wet season and puts hydrostatic pressure on the tank walls. Any of these can create a problem that is invisible until a backup or an alarm.

Sprinkler pump and electrical work

Aerobic systems use a sprinkler pump to distribute treated effluent across the yard. When the pump fails, the system backs up. One customer called AAA because his sprinkler pump had stopped working. The crew diagnosed the problem as a wiring fault, rewired it on site, and had the pump running the same visit. He noted that AAA could have told him he needed a new pump entirely, but they fixed the one he had instead.

That kind of honesty is worth knowing about before you call. A crew that replaces a $600 pump when a $120 rewire fixes the problem is not doing you a favour. AAA Septic Systems diagnoses first and recommends what the system actually needs.

Alarm and control panel issues

The alarm on a septic system is wired to a float switch inside the tank. When the liquid level rises above the normal operating range, the float trips and the alarm sounds. That can mean the pump has failed, the float itself is stuck, or the breaker tripped. The control box mounted to the house wall is the link between the float, the pump, and the power supply. AAA Septic Systems services these control panels directly. The photo on this page shows one of their branded control boxes installed on a residential brick wall.

Riser installation

Older septic systems in Brandon and Rankin County often have their tank lids buried one to two feet underground. Every pump-out or inspection means digging to reach the access point. Risers bring the lid to ground level so the crew can open the tank without a shovel. AAA Septic Systems installs risers as a standalone job or during a scheduled pump-out. One customer had risers added to two of three tanks on the same property, and the crew completed it alongside pumping and filter cleaning in a single appointment.

When to call for a repair

• The alarm on the control panel is sounding
• Sewage odor in the yard that was not there before
• Standing water or soggy ground over the drain field
• Slow drains throughout the house, not just one fixture
• The sprinkler heads are not distributing effluent
• A gurgling sound from the drains when the washing machine runs