Septic System Repair and Installation on Cape Cod
Whether your system needs a small repair, failed a Title 5 inspection or has to be replaced, Shore Things Environmental handles it from start to finish. We’re a licensed Massachusetts wastewater contractor and a licensed installer of nitrogen-reducing I/A systems. Call 774.801.9005 and a real person will answer.
Signs Your Septic System Needs Repair
- Drains that stay slow even after they’re cleared
- Sewage backing up into the house
- Soggy ground, standing water or extra-green grass over the leach field
- Sewage smells in the yard
- A failed Title 5 inspection
- An alarm going off on a pump chamber or I/A system
Small problems get expensive fast. If you’re experiencing any of the above, reach out to Shore Things Environmental so we can take a look for you.
Septic Repairs We Handle
We find the cause first, then fix what’s actually broken. Common repairs include:
| Repair | What We Do |
|---|---|
| Baffles and tees | Replace cracked or missing baffles that let solids escape into the leach field. |
| Pumps and alarms | Repair or replace pump chamber pumps, floats and high-water alarms. |
| Pipes and lines | Fix broken or root-damaged lines between the house, tank and field. |
| Distribution boxes | Level or replace a D-box so wastewater spreads evenly across the field. |
| Tank covers and risers | Replace unsafe covers and add risers so future pumping is easier. |
| Leach field repair | Repair or rebuild a failing soil absorption system. |
| Title 5 failures | Fix the items that failed inspection so a home sale can close. |
If a repair won’t solve the problem, we’ll tell you straight and walk you through replacement options.
Septic Repair and Installation Questions
How do I know if I need a repair or a new system? It depends on what failed. Baffles, pumps, pipes and D-boxes can usually be repaired. A failed leach field or a system that failed Title 5 often needs replacing. We’ll inspect it and give you a clear answer.
What is an I/A septic system? An Innovative/Alternative system adds a treatment step that removes much more nitrogen than a standard system. They’re now required in many nitrogen-sensitive areas of Cape Cod.
Do I have to upgrade to an I/A system by 2028? Only if your home is in a nitrogen-sensitive area and your town does not have a Watershed Permit. Rules vary by town, so call us and we’ll help you check.
My system failed Title 5 and I’m selling. What now? Call us right away. We can repair or replace the system and work with your timeline to keep the sale on track.
How long does a septic installation take? There are a lot of variables, but because we handle the process for you from start to finish, we move along as quickly as possible. Not having to coordinate multiple vendors is a positive for a homeowner.
Do you handle the permits? Yes. We handle design, permits, town inspections and all the paperwork.
What towns do you serve? Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans, Chatham, Brewster, Harwich, Dennis, Yarmouth and Barnstable, including Hyannis.
How a Septic Installation Works
One crew handles every step, so you’re never chasing different contractors.
- Site visit. We look at your property, your current system and what the town requires.
- Design. We prepare a system design sized to your home and lot.
- Permits. We file with your town’s permitting authority and handle the back and forth.
- Installation. Our crew excavates, installs the new system and abandons the old one properly.
- Inspection. We schedule the town inspection and get your system signed off.
- Restoration. We backfill, grade and leave your yard clean.
- Ongoing care. We can set you up on a pumping schedule, and I/A service if your system needs it.
New Septic Systems and Replacements
We install new systems and replace failed ones for homes across the Lower and Outer Cape. That includes conventional Title 5 systems, pump systems, and cesspool replacements. Every system is sized to your home, your lot and your town’s rules.
Nitrogen-Reducing I/A Septic Systems
Nitrogen from septic systems is one of the biggest threats to Cape Cod’s ponds and bays. Innovative/Alternative (I/A) systems treat wastewater to remove much more nitrogen than a standard system. We’re licensed to install them.
Does the 2028 deadline apply to you?
In July 2023, Massachusetts updated Title 5 for nitrogen-sensitive areas on Cape Cod. Here’s what that means for homeowners:
- If your home is in a nitrogen-sensitive area and your town does not have a Watershed Permit, you may need to upgrade to an I/A system by July 7, 2028.
- New homes built in these areas have needed nitrogen-reducing systems since January 2024.
- Many towns are getting Watershed Permits instead, using sewers and other plans. If yours does, the rules may be different.
- An I/A system installed in the past 10 years is usually covered until it fails.
Rules change from town to town. Call us and we’ll help you figure out where your property stands.
Work We're Proud Of
Every I/A system we install means less nitrogen reaching the Cape’s water.
Contact Shore Things Environmental
Your Trusted Waste Water Partner on Cape Cod
Ready to discuss your project or have questions about our services? Reach out to us today!
Our friendly and knowledgeable team is standing by to provide personalized assistance and guidance to ensure your project’s success. Contact us via phone, email, or by filling out the form below, and let’s turn your vision into reality together.
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