I had my septic tank pumped yesterday morning as I was due according to the county.

I could not be home, but the septic company left an invoice.  Nothing noted other than agreed fee.

Tonight I got a message from them that my pump was not working and sewage was going to back up into my house.


1) if the pump was not working there is an alarm.  I have not heard it.
2) the pump tank is down a hill about 10'-15' below my basement.  I think sewage would be leaking out of the top of the tank and I have not noticed
3) why would they be messing with my pump tank? Or how did they notice?
4) I don't believe in coincidences, and am very suspicious

I guess I'll go check it out in the morning.  What should I be looking for?  I'm not familiar with this crap.

Around here, when they pump the tanks, they also do a general inspection.

Check the breaker.
Go to the tank, if you float switch has a piggyback plug, plug the pump in direct to rule out a bad float.

So the control panel had no alarm, but showed the pump was running

Resetting it didn't change anything and the pump light never went out.

So a visit to the tanks showed that they both had been leaking out the top, not for long, but long enough to turn the nearby grass greener  

I called the Septic company and apparently the driver on Monday reported the problem and a supervisor came out Tuesday to check it out.  They plugged the pump directly in and it didn't work...


So there you have it.  16 trouble free years, I suppose is ok.

I'm not sure if I care the alarm failed or not.

16 years is pretty good for a septic pump