Service
System Upgrades and Replacements
Replacing a failing or worn-out system, or upgrading an existing one so it suits how the property is used today.
What this service involves
- Locating and assessing the existing tank, lines and dispersal area before anything is decided.
- Working out what can be reused and what has reached the end of its service life.
- Planning a replacement layout that fits around the house, driveway, well, landscaping and any remaining usable ground.
- Decommissioning or removing the old components that are being taken out of service.
- Installing the replacement system and restoring the disturbed area as far as practical.
When this may be required
- Effluent surfacing, wet ground or odour over the dispersal area.
- Backups or slow drains that continue after the tank has been pumped.
- A tank with a failed lid, baffle or structure, or a system whose components are simply worn out.
- A renovation or addition that increases the load beyond what the current system was built for.
- A sale, financing or insurance process that has identified the system as a problem.
The general TTIS process
- 01
Look at what is there
We start with the existing system and the history of the problem rather than assuming a full replacement is the answer.
- 02
Establish the constraints
Available space, setbacks, slope, access and the condition of the original dispersal area shape the options.
- 03
Plan the replacement with the right professionals
Where a new design or authorization is required, that work is coordinated with the appropriate qualified professional.
- 04
Change the system over
Work is sequenced to keep the property usable for as much of the project as reasonably possible.
Every property is different. Timing, cost, system suitability and authorization outcomes depend on the site and on decisions made by others, so we describe the process rather than promise a result.
What to have ready
- What the symptoms are and roughly when they started.
- Pumping records, service invoices or repair history if you have them.
- Any idea of the age of the system and who installed it.
- The approximate location of the tank and dispersal area, and whether lids are accessible.
- Well location and any water sources near the system.
- How many people live on the property and whether that has changed.
If you do not have some of this, that is fine — bring what you have.
Related services
Site Assessment and Planning
Understanding the ground, water, slope and layout of a property before any system is designed or priced.
ViewSeptic System Installation
Complete installation of a new septic system for a new build or a property that has never had an on-site system.
ViewCompletion Documentation and Maintenance Planning
Assembling the record of what was built and setting out how the system should be looked after afterwards.
ViewGuides for your next step
Signs a Septic System May Be Failing
Warning signs worth investigating, what they may mean, and sensible first steps for a Vancouver Island property owner.
Read the guideWhat Affects Septic System Costs on Vancouver Island?
A practical guide to comparing scope, identifying exclusions and preparing for a site-specific septic quotation.
Read the guideAdding a Bedroom or Renovating Your Home? Don't Forget the Septic System
Plan your renovation with the existing septic system in mind. Gather records, check component locations and arrange an assessment before work starts.
Read the guideTalk to us about upgrades & replacements
We serve Vancouver Island communities from Campbell River to Saanich, and consider Port Alberni, Ucluelet, Tofino and other Island locations depending on scope and scheduling. Tell us the property location and what is happening on site.