Title: What would you do if your septic tank alarm went off while you’re on vacation?
You’re not wrong about those alarms causing unnecessary panic. I’ve had a few tenants call me in the middle of the night, convinced the house was about to flood. Nine times out of ten, it’s something simple—float arm stuck, breaker tripped, or someone accidentally bumped the alarm panel. I usually just walk folks through checking those basics over the phone before even thinking about calling in a pro.
Leaving notes is smart. I actually laminated a little checklist and stuck it inside the utility closet after one too many “false alarms.” Saved everyone a lot of stress, and honestly, it’s cut down on emergency calls by half.
Here’s where I get stuck though—what do you do if you’re out of town for a week or two and that alarm goes off? I’ve got a couple units where the tenants aren’t super handy, and I can’t exactly expect them to troubleshoot electrical stuff. Do you trust neighbors to check in? Or do you just bite the bullet and call a plumber if they can’t figure it out right away?
I’ve thought about installing remote sensors that alert my phone, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Not sure if it’s worth the cost for peace of mind. Anyone tried those? Or is there a better way to handle things when you’re not around?
I’ve thought about installing remote sensors that alert my phone, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Not sure if it’s worth the cost for peace of mind.
Honestly, I caved and put in one of those remote monitors after a particularly stressful trip where I kept picturing sewage bubbling up while I was sipping margaritas. It wasn’t cheap, but the peace of mind is real. Before that, I’d leave a “just in case” note with a neighbor who owed me a favor, but that’s hit or miss—one time they just unplugged the alarm because it was “annoying.” Never again. If your tenants aren’t handy, I’d rather pay for a plumber than risk a disaster, but the sensor’s saved me a couple calls already.
I get where you’re coming from. I used to just cross my fingers and hope nothing happened while I was away, but after one close call (neighbor ignored the alarm, too), I went for the remote sensor. Not cheap, but honestly, it’s less than what a cleanup would cost if things went sideways. Plus, you can deal with stuff fast instead of coming home to a mess. For me, that’s worth it—even if it feels a bit overkill sometimes.
