Septic pump is running, but no flow to sprinklers
#1
04-02-18, 08:55 AM
Septic pump is running, but no flow to sprinklers
I have a Cajun Aire septic system that the septic pump feeds three sprinklers using a submersible pump. The aerator pump appears to be working fine.
Yesterday, we noticed a bubbling sound from the septic system so I pulled the lids to find the tanks full. I pumped them out using a sump pump and this morning pulled the submersible pump that feeds the sprinklers. With the pump on dry land, I can raise the float and the pump kicks on like it should.
Now what? I am stumped...
Yesterday, we noticed a bubbling sound from the septic system so I pulled the lids to find the tanks full. I pumped them out using a sump pump and this morning pulled the submersible pump that feeds the sprinklers. With the pump on dry land, I can raise the float and the pump kicks on like it should.
Now what? I am stumped...
#3
04-02-18, 09:46 AM
Group Moderator
You have a pump in the septic tanks that pumps the gray water up to three sprinklers.
That pump doesn't seem to be part of the Cajun Aire system.
Homeowner/assets/CAOM.pdf
I've only seen that system used commercially up here. I've never seen the gray water sprayed onto a homeowners lawn.
In your case..... it sounds like the sprinklers may be clogged. Do they have some type of cleanable or removable nozzles ?
That pump doesn't seem to be part of the Cajun Aire system.
Homeowner/assets/CAOM.pdf
I've only seen that system used commercially up here. I've never seen the gray water sprayed onto a homeowners lawn.
In your case..... it sounds like the sprinklers may be clogged. Do they have some type of cleanable or removable nozzles ?
#5
04-02-18, 10:05 AM
Group Moderator
Since the pump runs it's likely that the piping or sprinker emitters have become clogged. Just as a check I would plop the pump in a bucket of water and see if it pumps water. If it does that pretty much confirms that it has to be something downstream blocking the flow. Are there any valves that could have been closed?
#6
04-02-18, 10:20 AM
No valves... I tried a bucket of water, but it does not prime.
Looking at it, it looks like a foot or so of 4" pvc attached to the bottom of the actual pump. I am not sure the water is actually hitting the bottom of the pump.
Looking at it, it looks like a foot or so of 4" pvc attached to the bottom of the actual pump. I am not sure the water is actually hitting the bottom of the pump.
#7
04-02-18, 11:44 AM
Group Moderator
That 4" piece of PVC would seem to be a spacer to keep the pump from pumping off the bottom of the tank. That makes sense to keep solids or small bits of stuff out of the pump. When the water rose over 1' it should be high enough to get to the pump.
What turns the pump on ? The water would have to be getting high enough to activate it.
It sounds like there is something actually in the pump volute that needs to be cleaned.
What turns the pump on ? The water would have to be getting high enough to activate it.
It sounds like there is something actually in the pump volute that needs to be cleaned.
#8
04-03-18, 05:54 AM
It is looking like I simply need to be pumped out. The septic guy I called out says sludge has gotten into the final tank and the sludge is thick enough to keep the pump from pulling water. He will pump it out today.
