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Failed Perc Test Means No House Can Be Built

Joseph Coupal - Thursday, June 27, 2019
Morse Engineering and Construction - Percolation Testing

On rural sites without municipal sewage systems, a failed perc test means that no house can be built – which is why you should make any offer to purchase land contingent on the site passing the soil and perc tests. As prime building sites become increasingly scarce (or prohibitively expensive) in many parts of the country, rural sites that will not pass a percolation or perc test are increasingly common.

In general, soils with high sand and gravel content drain the best and soils with a high clay content or solid rock are the worst. Most soils fall somewhere in the middle with a mix of course sand and gravel particles, small silt particles, and miniscule clay particles – the smallest.

To get a rough idea before investing time and money in testing, dig below the top few inches of topsoil (loam) to the lighter soil beneath and grab a handful. If the soil has a sticky, damp texture, and you can form a small lump of damp subsoil into a long, thin ribbon or worm shape that holds together, then the soil has significant clay content.

If you can form a ribbon of soil 2 in. or longer in the ribbon test, it indicates that the soil has high clay content and may fail a standard perc test.

The two main tests used to determine a site’s suitability for a septic system are a perc test and visual observation of the soil in a test pit, sometimes referred to as a deep hole test. Testing requirements vary greatly from state to state and often from town to town, as most states allow individual towns to establish separate rules within state guidelines.

Make sure you talk to your town health officer about what tests are needed, when they can be done, and who should perform them. Whether or not a licensed professional is required, it’s a good idea to hire a seasoned expert with local experience as many of these tests have a bit of wiggle room.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: buildingadvisor.com


How To Inspect A Septic System

Joseph Coupal - Friday, June 21, 2019
Morse Engineering and Construction Industries, LLC - Septic System in Sturbridge, Fiskdale, MA

Q: I’m looking to buy a property that has an existing structure that hasn’t been used in 12-plus years. It has well and septic but the status and placement of the septic system is unknown.

Should I ask for a percentage test or deep-hole test prior to closing? Is there anything thing else I should consider as a contingency? The building was used as a business and residence previously.

A: A well-designed and maintained conventional septic system should provide 20 to 30 years of service before the drain field needs to be replaced. A lightly used system could last a lot longer.

There is no foolproof way to determine how many years of life you can expect from a functioning system, but a thorough inspection can determine whether the system is currently working properly. If not, you can identify what type of immediate repairs and improvements are needed to fix the system and bring it up to current standards. Since a complete new system can cost several thousand dollars, and an “alternative” system can cost over $20,000, hiring a professional to inspect the would be money well spent.

The first step is to find out as much as you can from the previous owner and the local health department. Ask:

  • When was the system installed?
  • Was the system properly designed, permitted, and inspected by the town or county?
  • How often was the septic tank pumped?
  • Does the health department have an “as-built” plan on file that would show the design and location of the components?

Also ask the local health department what type of inspection and/or upgrade might be required by the town upon transfer of title. Some jurisdictions require that all septic systems be brought up the current building codes when the property is sold. In some cases, this can mean building a new system from scratch. In that case, a perc test’ or “perk test and deep-hole test are in order to determine the soil conditions and seasonal high water table.

Assuming that the current system can be reused, your preliminary research will give you a better idea of the age and condition of the system, as well as its location on the site. A visual inspection of the site can sometimes identify obvious problems such as trees or traffic over the leach field or wet, smelly soil over a failed leach field. However, a system no used for 12 years would not provide such obvious clues.

A professional inspector can examine the septic tank for leakage of groundwater into the tank or leakage out of the tank, both of which can cause problems. If a 12-year-old tank is filled to the top, it may signal leakage from the exterior. If it is bone dry, it may indicate leakage out from the bottom.

Steel tanks, in particular, are vulnerable due to damage from rust. Lids can rust out creating a dangerous hazard. WARNING: Be especially careful when inspecting an old septic tank or cesspool as the cover can be rusted out or deteriorated and can collapse under your weight. Falling in can be fatal.

Other steel components, such as baffles, can be inspected for rust. The inspector may also recommend excavating and examining the distribution box. The septic tank, distribution box, and piping between components may have shifted over the years and pipes may have broken loose leading to leakage of untreated effluent into the soil. A thorough inspection can identify these problems.

Finally, a loading and dye test might be useful, but these tests are less reliable for an system that has been unused for a year or more. Since the soil around and under the leach pits has had time to dry out, it many readily absorb the dyed water during the test, but the system may fail once the leach field is active again. However, the test can provide critical information about blockages from roots or broken or disconnected pipes.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: buildingadvisor.com


Perc Testing and Soil

Joseph Coupal - Friday, June 14, 2019
Percolation Testing

Traditional septic systems only work if the soil in the leach area is sufficiently permeable that it can readily absorb the liquid effluent flowing into it. Also, there must be at least a few feet of good soil from the bottom of the leach pipes to the rock or impervious hardpan below, or to the water table.

Less commonly, a site can fail because the soil is too permeable, allowing the effluent to reach the groundwater before it is fully treated. Very steep slopes are also unsuitable for a conventional leach field.

The specific standards vary from town to town, but any of these characteristics can prohibit the use of a standard gravity-fed septic system. In some cases, a more expensive alternative septic system may be allowed. To determine is a building site is suitable for a septic system, a percolation test (typically called a “perc test’ or “perk test”) is required. NO PERC, NO HOUSE h3

On rural sites without municipal sewage systems, a failed perc test means that no house can be built – which is why you should make any offer to purchase land contingent on the site passing the soil and perc tests. As prime building sites become increasingly scarce (or prohibitively expensive) in many parts of the country, rural sites that will not pass a percolation or perc test are increasingly common.

In general, soils with high sand and gravel content drain the best and soils with a high clay content or solid rock are the worst. Most soils fall somewhere in the middle with a mix of course sand and gravel particles, small silt particles, and miniscule clay particles – the smallest.

Squeezing the wet soil into a thin ribbon can provide a quick indication of clay content.

If you can form a long, thin ribbon of wet soil, it has a high clay content and my fail the perc test.

To get a rough idea before investing time and money in testing, dig below the top few inches of topsoil (loam) to the lighter soil beneath and grab a handful. If the soil has a sticky, damp texture, and you can form a small lump of damp subsoil into a long, thin ribbon or worm shape that holds together, then the soil has significant clay content.

The two main tests used to determine a site’s suitability for a septic system are a perc test and visual observation of the soil in a test pit, sometimes referred to as a deep hole test. Testing requirements vary greatly from state to state and often from town to town, as most states allow individual towns to establish separate rules within state guidelines.

So make sure you talk to your town health officer about what tests are needed, when they can be done, and who should perform them. Whether or not a licensed professional is required, it’s a good idea to hire a seasoned expert with local experience as many of these tests have a bit of wiggle room.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

buildingadvisor.com


Septic System Inspections

Joseph Coupal - Friday, June 07, 2019
Morse Engineering and Construction Industries - Septic System Construction Fiskdale, MA

A septic system receives, treats and disposes of unwanted wastewater and solids from a building’s plumbing system. Solids are partially broken down into sludge within a septic tank and are separated from effluent (water) and scum (fat, oil and grease). Effluent regularly exits the tank into a drainfield where it is naturally filtered by bacteria and reentered into the groundwater. Scum and sludge must be pumped periodically and should never enter the drainfield.

When should a septic system be inspected?

The septic system should be inspected once a year, including as soon as the house is put on the market for sale. This will enhance the home’s value and avoid any liability issues that might result from a malfunctioning system. It is in the interest of a prospective buyer to insist that the septic system be inspected before they purchase the home if it has not been done recently.

For more information on septic system inspections, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: nachi.org