Before a septic tank can be installed, a perk test must be preformed. The test itself is very easy to do, but the test must be performed to test the soil where the septic tank will be installed. The septic tank eventually distributes the liquid from the tank into the soil through fill lines. The ground then cleans the liquid naturally. However, if the ground soil is not capable of sustaining a large amount of liquid added to it, the septic tank cannot be installed. A perk test determines if the ground you can support a septic tank. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dig a hole two feet deep with the shovel. The diameter of the hole is not as important as the depth of the hole. Use the tape measure to make sure the hole is two feet deep.
2. Fill the hole with water to completely saturate the soil. Then you will fill the hole with water once again. Use the tape measure to measure how many inches of water you have in the hole. Then use a timer or a watch to make sure you wait 30 minutes before taking another measurement of the water level.
3. Measure the water level after 30 minutes. Then you will calculate the perk value of the soil. The formula for determining the perk is as follows:
Perk = 30 minutes divided by (Initial water depth -- final water depth)
If the water was at 24 inches to start and your final measurement was 22 inches after 30 minutes, your perk result would be:
Perk = 30 minutes divided by (24 inches -- 22 inches)
Perk = 30 minutes divided by 2 inches
Perk = 1 inch per 15 minutes
4. Compare your findings to your local building codes to see if the soil passes the perk test. There are are different variables that factor into what is a good perk measurement, such as the size of the septic tank, the number of bedrooms in the house and how many lines you have. Every county has a different standard, and what is good for your neighbor might not be good for you.
Tags: septic tank, minutes divided, Perk minutes, Perk minutes divided, perk test, after minutes
