DECK
Lee's Advantex ATU
Overflow
Five cascading failures behind a $17,303 repair in Woodinville, WA
PROJECT SNAPSHOT Leota, Woodinville, WA 98072
1,500-gallon ATU with Advantex packed bed filtration
Read the full Advantex ATU overflow case study →
Case snapshot
$17,303
Total phases 1–5 1,900–2,000 gal Emergency pumpout 5 stages Cascading repair 2016 Last full county filing
Outcome Pump, floats, filters, risers, seal work and control panel sequence restored the system
The starting problem
• Wastewater surfaced around treatment-system lid
• Tank kept filling with water after previous pump-outs
• County records showed a long compliance gap
Diagnostic framing
The visible symptom was not treated as the full diagnosis. The crew traced the failure through the septic system until the real constraint was visible.
What the inspection revealed
Both compartments were completely flooded
3 Advantex filters were blinded with sludge and scum
Heavy roots entered through riser joints
Discharge pump, three floats and control board failed
Failure mechanism: symptom → cause → repair
Visible symptom
Wastewater surfaced around treatmentsystem lid
Hidden cause
Both compartments were completely flooded; Heavy roots entered through riser joints
Correct repair
Replace control panel and restore alarm compliance
Repair / service workflow
Step 1
Drain flooded tank to expose components → Step 2
Deep-clean Advantex filters and distribution socks → Step 3 Jet Set hydro-seal risers and tank penetrations →
Step 4
Replace pump and 3float assembly →
Step 5
Replace control panel and restore alarm compliance
Homeowner lessons
• ATU failures cascade when annual maintenance is skipped
• Pumping water out does not fix blinded filters
• A dead control board means no high-water warning
https://septicsolutionsllc.com/projects/advantex-atu-overflow-w oodinville-king-county-case-study/