Septic System Replacement & Upgrade
Professional septic system replacement and upgrade services for residential and commercial properties across your area
5 Highlights on Septic System Replacement & Upgrade
- Full Tank Replacement — Action Septic Service removes deteriorated concrete, fiberglass, and polyethylene septic tanks and installs new precast or plastic tanks sized to your property’s wastewater demands. We handle every permit, excavation, and backfill step.
- Drain Field Reconstruction — Failing leach fields get replaced with code compliant absorption trenches, chambered systems, or mound systems. Our crew evaluates soil conditions, performs perc tests, and installs new drainfield media for reliable effluent dispersal.
- Aerobic Treatment Unit Upgrades — We retrofit conventional gravity fed septic systems with advanced aerobic treatment units, nitrogen reducing systems, and UV disinfection units. These upgrades treat wastewater to a higher standard before it reaches the soil.
- Distribution Box and Pump Chamber Installation — Corroded or cracked D boxes and pump chambers compromise your entire system. We replace them with new baffled distribution boxes, dosing pumps, and float switches to restore even pressure distribution.
- Health Department Compliance — Every septic system replacement and upgrade we perform meets local building code requirements. Action Septic Service coordinates inspections, secures permits, and certifies the completed installation.
Our Septic System Replacement & Upgrade Services:
- Septic Tank Replacement
- Cesspool to Septic System Conversion
- Septic to Sewer Connection
- Aerobic System Conversion
Why Choose Our Septic System Replacement & Upgrade
Septic system replacement and upgrade work is a major investment in your property. Action Septic Service brings decades of hands on experience to every job. We’re a trusted, top rated septic contractor with the equipment, licensing, and field knowledge to replace failing systems and upgrade outdated ones.
Our crews operate backhoes, excavators, and trenchers daily. We don’t subcontract the digging or the plumbing. One team handles the full scope, from pulling the old tank to connecting the new inlet pipe and outlet pipe, grading the soil, and compacting the backfill. That single point of accountability means fewer delays and cleaner results.
We evaluate your current system before recommending anything. A qualified technician inspects the scum layer, sludge layer, effluent filter, baffles, and lateral lines. We run soil tests and perc tests on the reserve area. If your tank is undersized, your drain field is saturated, or your system is non compliant, we’ll tell you exactly what needs to happen and what it costs.
Action Septic Service stands behind every septic system replacement and upgrade with a written workmanship guarantee. We use commercial grade materials from the best manufacturers in the industry. Our pricing is straightforward. No hidden fees, no surprise change orders. You get a detailed proposal before we break ground.
Signs You Need Septic System Replacement & Upgrade
Septic system replacement and upgrade becomes necessary when your existing system can no longer treat and disperse wastewater safely. Here are five warning signs that indicate your system is failing.
Persistent Sewage Backup in the Home: Blackwater backing up into floor drains, toilets, and showers signals a serious problem. If pumping the tank doesn’t resolve the backup, the issue likely sits in a collapsed sewer line, a deteriorated baffle, or a tank that has lost structural integrity. A corroded concrete tank can crack and allow groundwater infiltration, which creates hydraulic overload and pushes effluent back toward the house.
Standing Water Over the Drain Field: Saturated soil and pooling effluent above your leach field mean the absorption trenches or infiltrator chambers have failed. Biomat buildup, root intrusion, and compacted aggregate all reduce the soil’s ability to percolate and absorb treated wastewater. Once a drain field reaches this stage, replacement with new drainfield media is the only lasting fix.
Strong Odor Near the Tank or Field: Septic odor at the surface points to a failing effluent filter, a missing or broken access lid, or an overloaded system that can no longer decompose solids anaerobically. These odors carry contaminated gases and indicate the system isn’t treating waste properly.
Health Department Notice of Non Compliance: Local health departments issue violation notices when a septic system fails inspection. Common triggers include undersized tanks, missing risers, absent alarm systems, and leach fields that encroach on well setbacks or property lines. A full system replacement or upgrade brings your property back into code compliant status.
System Age Exceeding 25 to 30 Years: Conventional septic tanks and gravity systems installed decades ago weren’t designed for today’s household water usage. Older systems often lack pump chambers, effluent filters, and proper distribution boxes. Upgrading to an advanced pressure distribution system or aerobic treatment unit extends the life of your wastewater infrastructure by decades.
Our Septic System Replacement & Upgrade Process
Septic system replacement and upgrade follows a structured sequence that protects your property and satisfies local building code.
Step 1 — Site Evaluation and Soil Testing A technician inspects the existing septic tank, drain field, distribution box, and all connecting pipes. We perform perc tests and soil tests to determine the absorption rate and identify the best location for new components or a reserve area.
Step 2 — System Design and Permitting We design the replacement system based on your property’s soil profile, household size, and wastewater volume. Action Septic Service submits engineered plans to the health department and secures all required permits before any excavation begins.
Step 3 — Excavation and Removal Our crew uses excavators and backhoes to unearth the old tank, pump chamber, and lateral lines. We pump and desludge the existing tank, then decommission it according to local regulations. Deteriorated components get hauled off site.
Step 4 — Installation and Connection The new septic tank, D box, effluent filter, baffles, risers, and drainfield components go in. We trench for new perforated pipes, lay geotextile fabric and aggregate, and connect all inlet and outlet pipes. Dosing pumps, float switches, and alarm systems get wired and tested.
Step 5 — Backfill, Grading, and Final Inspection We backfill around the tank and over the leach field, grade the surface for proper drainage, and compact the soil. A final inspection with the local authority certifies the new system as code compliant and fully operational.
Brands We Use
Septic system replacement and upgrade demands commercial grade products that perform underground for decades. Action Septic Service installs components from these trusted manufacturers:
- Infiltrator Water Technologies
- Orenco Systems
- Zoeller
- Liberty Pumps
- Sim/Tech
- TUF-TITE
- Polylok
- Norweco
- Presby Environmental
- Jet Inc.
Every product we install carries a manufacturer warranty.
Other Services
| Septic system replacement | Replace septic tank | New septic tank installation cost |
| Septic system upgrade | Upgrade septic to aerobic | Conventional to aerobic conversion |
| Drain field replacement | Leach field replacement | Failed drain field repair options |
| Septic tank installation | Install new septic system | Residential septic system design |
| Septic system repair and replacement | Failing septic system solutions | Septic permit and soil test services |
FAQs About Septic System Replacement & Upgrade
What is a septic system replacement?
A septic system replacement is the removal of a failing or deteriorated septic tank, drain field, or both, followed by the installation of new components. The scope can range from swapping out a cracked concrete tank to replacing the entire system, including the pump chamber, distribution box, lateral lines, and absorption trenches.
When should I upgrade my septic system?
You should upgrade when your current system is undersized for your household, when the health department issues a non compliance notice, or when you want to improve treatment quality. Upgrading from a conventional gravity fed system to a pressurized aerobic treatment unit or nitrogen reducing system treats effluent more thoroughly and can extend drain field life.
Why does a drain field fail?
Drain fields fail because of biomat accumulation, soil compaction, root intrusion, hydraulic overload, or age. When the soil around perforated pipes can no longer absorb and filter effluent, wastewater rises to the surface. A failed leach field requires full replacement with new aggregate, geotextile fabric, and drainfield media.
How long does a septic system replacement take?
Most residential septic system replacements take three to five working days. Permitting can add one to four weeks depending on your local health department. Complex installations involving mound systems, sand filters, or aerobic treatment units may take longer.
Can I upgrade my septic system without replacing the tank?
Yes. If your septic tank is structurally sound and properly sized, you can upgrade other components. Common upgrades include adding an effluent filter, installing a new distribution box, retrofitting with a dosing pump and float switch, or replacing a failed drain field with a chambered or pressure distribution system.
Does a septic system replacement require a permit?
Yes. Every septic system replacement and upgrade requires a permit from the local health department or building authority. Action Septic Service handles the full permitting process, including soil tests, perc tests, system design submissions, and scheduling the final inspection.