Septic Pump Failure & High Water — Chaska
Chaska, Carver County, MN — Septic Service & System Repair
The Problem
Homeowner's septic alarm started going off intermittently and then continuously over two days. The system is a mound-type installation with a pump chamber. The alarm panel showed a high-water condition. Household had been careful about water use — no excessive loads, no unusual events that would explain it. Suspected pump or float switch failure rather than a capacity issue.
What We Found & Did
Opened pump chamber, found float switch seized in the 'up' position — the pump had been running continuously and eventually burned out the motor. Removed burned pump, replaced with matched-spec unit. Installed new float switch and tested cycling manually before sealing chamber. While on site, opened septic tank and cleaned the effluent filter, which was significantly loaded with debris and had not been serviced in over three years. Alarm panel reset and tested — all clear. System returned to normal cycling within one pump interval.