Soil Testing For Septic Systems

What Is Soil Testing For Septic Systems?

Soil testing for septic systems is the most universally misunderstood and feared test associated with the process of buying property, building a new home or repairing failing onsite septic systems. It is true that failing a soil test may prevent a sale or the issuance of a building permit or even an extremely costly septic system installation by engineers who can help rectify poor soil conditions. Just ask yourself this simple question; do I want to spend $100,000.00 to a million plus to have a home where the toilets do not flush? No person thinking correctly will settle for a home with non functioning plumbing. Your local health department and the soil testing for septic systems helps ensure everything goes down the drain. That is exactly the result you want. Overall, soil testing for septic systems should not be feared as it's designed for your protection.

Preparations Before Scheduling A Soil Test

After the proper paperwork has been obtained from the county, you may schedule your soil test. Miss Dig must be contacted a minimum of 72 hours before any digging can take place. This ensures proper location of utilities on your property site. These utilities should be avoided. It is generally the responsibility of the property owner to contact Miss Dig.

How Is The Soil Test Conducted?

At a mutually acceptable appointed time, the county sanitarian, a representative for the property, and a contractor will meet at the subject property. The contractor will have a hydraulic hoe to perform open cut excavations at the sanitarians direction.

The property representative will direct the contractor as to where and how many holes to dig. The Sanitarian directs how deep the holes need to be based on soil evaluation. The open cuts must be a minimum of 24 inches wide and will generally be 12 feet deep each. On occasion the holes can go as deep as 21 feet deep. The number of holes is up to the sanitarian and the property representative, it is customary to dig as many holes as it requires to obtain a passing result or as time allows. Four holes are usually required at a very minimum.

The sanitarian examines and records data on each hole as it is excavated. They can observe the quality of the soil and the depth and thickness of layers of acceptable soils. This first hand observation allows the sanitarian to make a quantitative evaluation of the onsite soil conditions. Then following all knowledge regarding use of the property and the acceptable county guidelines for onsite sewage despoal systems you will receive a pass or fail.

The open excavations must be backfilled on the spot as open holes can be very dangerous.The sanitarian will give the go ahead for backfill.

Soil testing for septic systems involving the property owner, the county, and the contractor gives everyone involved the best chance for success of any future on site septic system.