For all intents and purposes, a perc test (and subsequently, a septic system) is only necessary when a property does NOT have access to a municipal sewer system. If a vacant lot is situated within reach of an existing sewer hook up, this will usually eliminate the need for a septic system altogether.

Why do I need a percolation test?

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 you do your own percolation test?

If you're planning to install a new septic system, local ordinances will require you to conduct a soil percolation test. In some jurisdictions, you can do the test yourself, but in others, including some parts of California, you need a qualified professional to do it.

What is the alternative to a septic tank?

The major alternatives to septic tanks include mound, aerobic septic, and cesspool systems, as well as sander filter, constructed wetlands, and drip irrigation. The mound system is most popular for soil that is too shallow over bedrock or for a water table which is too high.

Can you have a septic tank without a leach field?

Though you can not have a septic system without a leach field, you do have options when it comes to choosing the type of septic system installation. The following list is not all-inclusive, but does include the common types of septic systems: Conventional System. Chamber System.

What the Heck is a "Perc Test" (and How Much Does it Really Matter)?

Who does a percolation test?

However, in most jurisdictions, a perc test will be performed by a licensed excavator. A county health department official will also be present during the test along with the owner. The excavator will typically dig two deep holes to test the drainage rate of the soil on-site.

What is a percolation test for septic tanks?

A percolation test (colloquially called a perc test) is a test to determine the water absorption rate of soil (that is, its capacity for percolation) in preparation for the building of a septic drain field (leach field) or infiltration basin.

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.

What happens if your land won't perk?

If your land cannot be perked, this means the soil does not have the ability to absorb water. When it comes to a septic system, it is essentially a series of pipes under your property that wastewater drains into. If the soil isn't moist enough to allow for drainage, the system simply will not work.

What is the average price of a perc test?

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 much does a septic tank cost in Alabama?

As our numbers show in 2021 average cost that homeowners paid for septic tank installation in Jefferson county is between $1,322.00 and $9,308.00.

How do they do a soil test for septic?

The two main tests used to determine a site's suitability for a septic system are a perc test and visual observation of the soil in a test pit, sometimes referred to as a deep hole 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.

How do you perform a percolation test?

1. Step 1: Dig the hole. Mark out a test hole that is 300mm x 300mm wide and at least 300mm deep below the proposed invert level of the outlet pipe. ...
2. Step 2: Saturate the soil. Clear the hole of any loose debris (including stones or lumps of soil). ...
3. Step 3: Determine the percolation rate. ...
4. Step 4: Repeat the test.

Who performs a perc test in TN?

(7) Only percolation rates generated as the result of the complete four (4) hour measurement period will be considered valid for plat approval or permit issuance. (8) Tests shall be conducted by an engineer or surveyor licensed in the State of Tennessee.

What does PERC mean in real estate?

Perc is real estate jargon for “percolation”, a perfectly good word for the ability of soil to absorb moisture. Still, the word percolation manages to baffle people more accustomed to coffee percolation than septic systems.

What is a good percolation rate for septic?

A good perc rate for a septic system is between 1 and 30 minutes per inch. Between 30 and 60 minutes per inch might require hydraulic analysis for installing a septic system. Anything under 1 minute per inch or over 60 minutes per inch is not an ideal perc rate.

Can a septic tank be above ground?

Above ground septic system can offer an alternative onsite sewage treatment solution on sites where soil conditions are unsuitable for conventional in-ground sewage treatment systems. ... Above ground septic systems are suitable for all climates, including areas that receive high rainfall, they are the ideal choice.

How deep are septic test pits?

What is a Soil Test Pit or Perc Test Pit or Deep Hole Test Pit? A hole, 5-7 feet deep is dug in an area to be tested for future use as a drain field, or near the drain-field area in representative soils.

What is the difference between soil test and perc test?

A Perc Test (also known as “Perk Test”, and more formally known as a Percolation Test), is a soil evaluation that tests the rate at which water drains through soil. ... In order to determine if a septic system is possible, most county health departments will require a perc test.

What is the difference between a perk test and a soil test?

The perc test is the old-school terminology while soil test is the current vernacular. However, whichever term is used, anyone in or related to the septic system industry knows what you mean. You want to do a test to ascertain if a particular piece of property has soil conditions suitable for an onsite septic system.

How long do septic tanks last?

The material of the septic tank - plastic or concrete tanks can last for nearly 40 years. While the steel tank lasts for 15-20 years. Other factors like water usage, trees or plants growing in the area, the lifespan of pump filters, sand filter systems, and other internal components, the objects flushed to the system.

How do you rejuvenate a leach field?

Professionals take a high pressure water spray to clean and unclog your sewer lines, drains, and the leach field. Once the pipes are free from sludge and other debris causing the clogs, the septic system will be able to rejuvenate itself once again.

How long does a leach field last?

It's important to consider the life expectancy of a drain-field, too. Under normal conditions and good care, a leach-field will last for 50 years or more. Concrete septic tanks are sturdy and reliable but not indestructible.