Perk Tests


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Old 04-02-01, 03:41 PM
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Does anyone out there know how you get a perk test done? I live in upper Michigan? How much does it cost? Who performs it? How is it done?

Does a drain field have to be located in a area free of trees? How close can the trees be to the drain field?
 
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Old 04-02-01, 04:07 PM
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Septic system standards vary from state to state.
Here in North Carolina, septic system permits are issued by County Health Department environmental technicians under state training and guidelines.
A site inspection (aka "perk test"), whether they issue a permit or not, costs $50, and are good for 60 months until they expire, or the system is installed. If the permit expires prior to installation, it costs $25 for a re-inspection.
Although everyone still refers to the inspection as a "perk test", actual percolation tests are no longer done here. Now, they design each site-specific septic system based on soil type, which is determined by random area 3' hand-borings.
A basic, minimum system in good sandy soil here consists of a 1,000-gallon septic tank connected to a small concrete distribution box with a total of 210' (usually three 70' lines) of drainfield lines.
First, you have to get the inspection and permit, then have the system installed, and then inspected again before burying. A completion certificate is issued after this inspection, and then you can hook it up to your home.
In addition to the open space designated for the system, a "repair area" large enough for a new drainfield (whenever one is required to replace the first) is designated by the permit, and none of the system is supposed to built or driven over (compaction problems).
Trees and septic systems do NOT mix well, although they can be near or actually on top of a drainfield. Roots get into and clog up the drainfield. Root killer, such as copper sulphate, can be flushed into the septic system to help with this problem, however.
Contact your local Health Department.
Good Luck!
Mike
 
 

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