What is a percolation test used for?

What is a percolation test used for?

Perc tests determine the right and wrong locations for a septic system, and they’re often required by local jurisdictions before a new one can be built or an old one replaced. That’s because septic tanks work by holding wastewater long enough to naturally separate liquids and solids.

Can I do a percolation test myself?

The test itself is fairly simple; dig a hole of a certain size where you’re drainage field is going to be, fill it with water, and see how long it takes for the water to disappear. To get the most accurate results, and do the test right, there’s a bit more devil in the detail.

How much does a percolation test cost?

Perc testing typically costs $750 to $1,850 or $1,300 on average. On the high end, you might pay as much as $3,000 depending on local regulation and the size of the leach field or infiltration basin needed. A basic assessment costs $150 to $300 for a hand dug hole without specialized equipment.

How do you do a perc test?

Soil Percolation Test

1. Step 1: Dig Hole. Dig a hole at least 12” in diameter by 12” deep, with straight sides.
2. Step 2: Fill Hole with Water. Fill the hole with water, and let it sit overnight.
3. Step 3: Refill Hole with Water.
4. Step 4: Measure Water Level.
5. Step 5: Measure Drainage Every Hour.

How do you perform a perc test?

What is the process of percolation?

Percolation is the process of a liquid slowly passing through a filter. It’s how coffee is usually made. Percolation comes from the Latin word percolare, which means “to strain through.” Percolation happens when liquid is strained through a filter, like when someone makes coffee.

Can you put a soakaway in clay?

Soakaways are one type of “Infiltration Device”, a simple way of dispersing surface and storm water in situations where connection to the SW system is impractical or unwarranted. It should be noted that soakaways rarely work on heavy clay soils.

What is a good percolation test?

For soils to effectively treat effluent, percolation rates must be between 10 and 60 minutes per inch of percolation. You need at least 20 to 21 hours to do a standard percolation test requires. This creates a worst-case scenario in the soil.

What is a Level 4 soil test?

A Level 4 Soil Survey is a high intensity soil survey that provides much greater detail than a Level 3 Soil Survey. Level 4 Soil Surveys are sometimes required for difficult lots or poor soil areas. The tests evaluate a soils ability to percolate (“perc”) wastewater from a septic tank.

Can I do my own perc test in Alabama?

In Alabama there are 4 types of professionally licensed persons that are legally allowed to conduct a percolation test: engineers, land surveyors, professional soil classifiers, and professional geologists.

How long should the Percolation tests take on site?

Perc tests take one to three hours for undeveloped sites and one to two hours for a site that needs a septic system replacement. For complicated, larger sites, it may take up to six hours. Sometimes an engineer is needed to determine the height of the water table.

How much should perc test cost?

On average, a percolation test can cost anywhere from $400 to as much as $1,500. This price will all depend on the amount of work being done, who you plan on hiring and the geographical location. Local laws will dictate who you’re going to hire.

How is a perk test done?

Perk testing is done by digging a two foot deep hole in the ground at various locations and then filling them with water to a measured depth. The amount of water that drains away during a 30 minute period determines if the soil is capable of handling a septic system or not.

How is percolation rate of soil measured?

Soil percolation rates are measured in terms of minutes per inch. So, the first thing to do is dig a hole that is at least a foot (30 cm.) across by a foot (30 cm.) deep. If you want to test the entire property, dig several holes in various areas of the landscape.