Percolation Test vs. Soil Test

Many people in the industry use septic system perc test or soil test interchangeably.  This is how they differ.

Currently county health departments conduct open cut soil test holes to inspect onsite soil conditions. The sanitarian observes the soil, records depths and thickness of layers of soils as they are exposed, this procedure is called a soil test.

Decades ago, 4 foot deep holes were dug by hand and water was poured in. The speed at which the water then percolated into the soil determined your drain field requirements. This procedure was commonly called a perc test.

Although these two methods are quite different in the physical process to complete them, the result desired from both was identical. They determined if a particular piece of property was and is acceptable for an onsite septic tank and drain field septic system installation. There is no debate the current soil test is much more comprehensive and telling than the former perc 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. Therefore, both terms are used pretty much interchangeably as the desired result in the test is the same.

Contact LaChance Brothers Excavating today for perk test services in Northville and the surrounding areas.