I used to help New Yorkers find affordable housing, now I help people around the US find affordable land! You can also use this Home Soil Percolation Test. Your best bet is to contact the department that oversees septic permits in you area, typically the dept. Find hiring guides, material costs, expert advice, how-to's and more. of health, sanitation, or building inspection. In most jurisdictions, a perc test is performed when an official from the county health department meets with the owner of the property and/or a licensed excavator to dig a hole and test the drainage rate of the soil on-site (they literally pour water in a hole and time how long it takes to drain through). The width of the hole is not important. Look into the records and make sure you’re being thorough. Connect with the best soil percolation testers in your area who are experts at evaluating soil for septic system installation. Landowners often stress when they receive a failed perc test. The topography of the lot can make a big difference in the different types of soil that are present on your land. How and where do I find the results of the test? Otherwise, you will have to ask the owner if they have ever had a perc test done. While these aren’t always correlated with your property’s ability to percolate, there’s more of a chance that there could be a problem. If it is an older test, you will need to commission a new test if you want to build on the lot. This test is normally performed by a licensed excavator, but has much oversight by your local health department. This is because sandy soil absorbs water at a much faster rate than clay, silt, or solid rock. Alright, so you failed your perc test, and you didn’t have luck with any of the alternatives. The excavator will typically dig two deep holes to test the drainage rate of the soil on-site. Checking records of previous perc tests can sometimes make all the difference. A perc test is a simple test performed to see how water drains on your property and if it’s suitable for a septic system. However, in most jurisdictions, a perc test will be performed by a licensed excavator. What does the topography of your property look like? Site drainage: Your septic tank drain field should not be in the path of runoff during storms. If this happens to you, take a step back. Depending on the size of the property, there may be an area that actually is suitable for a proper septic drain field. When you do your due diligence before buying a property, one must-have element of that process is a perc test (also known as a percolation test). If you are about to buy a plot of land, find a local perc test company that can make sure it's viable. 8 Things You (2020) Should Know, What is an HOA? Does it appear that they passed a perc test? They are also more likely to be familiar with the region's specific soil type and common risk factors. You’ll need to know these distances so that you can abide by the local codes, and you may be asked to find a replacement field to use in 20-30 years when the original field is exhausted. Depending on how much you paid for your land initially, it may not make sense to spend a bunch of money to try to make it “buildable” anyway. Compare quotes and choose the best pro for the job. If that’s the case, there’s probably a pretty good chance that you’d pass it as well. I am a former Affordable Housing Director for the City of New York and a trained architect turned full-time Land Investor. In #6, we’ll talk more about the soil criteria that gives your property the best chance of passing. HomeAdvisor is the simplest way to find and book perc test companies near you. 3 Ways to Get Water Without a Well in 2020. You’ll never know what’s possible until you start asking. You can either go through the step in #5 and try to get a different result, OR you can select one of the alternative uses for your land in #14. Also remember that, regardless of what you read online, each area has their own individual process that can vary from place to place. Did you know that most municipalities require that a leach field (also known as a septic tank drain field) meet specific requirements above and beyond just a perc test? Help your neighbors make an informed decision. If it is, then no need to install a septic system. In this case, it may be worth your while to spend the money on a perc test. How Much Does It Cost To Build A House Yourself (2020)? Thus, it’s important to know when the last perc test was done. Did you try all of the above to no avail? The exact distances will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but typically the most important requirement to keep in mind is the minimum distance between the proposed leach field and any private well (which is usually around 100 feet). Don’t lose hope that your land can be put to good use even if your perc test didn’t go the way you’d planned. If you are interested in land investing, you can check out our article on How to Get Started in Land Investing. If you are looking to buy affordable land, you can check out our Listings page. This will get you closer to understanding if it’s actually a “no” or if you can take certain steps on your property to make it more buildable. Shopping for perc testing: If an official perc test is being done to determine what type of septic system to install, check with the local department of health for specific perc test requirements, including whether the test must be performed by a government employee, a private soils engineer or a septic system designer. Here are some of the things you should know even before you get into the nitty-gritty of septic system regulations. Find out what time of year the failed perc test was performed. Your opinion matters! In most cases, it depends on what your local health department will allow. Again, while it’s often recommended to have a perc test done before purchasing a property, we understand if you’re trying to stay on budget. Answer a few questions about your home project. A perc test determines the water absorption rate of the soil (or the percolation rate). If you’re able to form a ribbon of soil that is 2 inches or longer, this is called the ribbon test. 11 Things You Must Know In 2020. Read on to understand not only how this process works, but whether it may disqualify a parcel of land you wish to buy. These features can affect both soil and water table, which could give you a higher or lower chance of passing your perc test. In most cases, that means you’ll need a health department official present at your perc test so be sure to arrange for this before having the excavator come out. This is especially common for rural parcels of land. Be sure to yield to whatever your health department says. Insulating A Cathedral Ceiling With Foam Board. If you're thinking about buying rural land, don't buy it without a percolation test. Disclaimer: we are not lawyers, accountants or financial advisors and the information in this article is for informational purposes only. If you know this to be true, scheduling a perc test at an advantageous time of the year can make all the difference. Hi Richard, when you order a perc test your consultant will send the results to you. Even if you pass a perc test, you may not be out of the woods. Depending on what type of soil your property has, it may or may not easily pass this test, You’ll want to check and see if the vacant land is within reach of an existing sewer hookup, Just because your property failed a perc test doesn’t mean you can’t build anything on it, Soil will often pass a perc test when it has high concentrations of sand and gravel, You can either go through the step in #5 and try to get a different result, OR you can select one of the alternative uses for your land in #14, Outhouses: 8 Things You Should Know In 2020, How To Build A Road? It can be a long and frustrating waiting game, but it could be worth your while. If you already know you’re ready to hire a licensed excavator to come evaluate your property, then all you have to do is Google your county’s name and “health department” to find their phone number. For more information on buying, selling, or investing in vacant land, check out our other resources below. © 2020 Gokce Capital LLC Home Privacy Policy Terms of Service Contact Subscribe. We have some solutions for all of you who won’t be able to install a septic system on the property. If it’s the perfect piece of land, just wait it out! Whether you need a perc test or more extensive soil testing, find an expert who can give you guaranteed results. Filled land: Typically, native soils are required. © 2020 BuildingAdvisor.com®; All rights reserved. Ultimately, the perc test procedure varies based on where you are. There are alternative septic systems that can be reasonably priced (depending on your property’s situation and local requirements) and environmentally friendly. If you’re not sure, contact the town’s department of building inspection and they can point you in the right direction. They might also be able to provide you with a list of names of certified testers. Builders (New Homes), Architects & Designers. Fortunately, there are some easily observable factors that can help indicate whether your property will likely pass a perc test.
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