Percolation testing services in Scotland

There are two main requirements for having a septic tank installed. The first is to have land suitable for a hole to be dug and a tank to be installed. The second is to have an area of land where discharge water can be released safely. One of the requirements for this field is that it must have a suitable absorption rate so that the water dissipates. If it doesn’t then the water will begin to clog up the soil turning it into a smelly, boggy wasteland. So how do you know if your land will be suitable? That’s where our percolation testing in Scotland services comes in.

A hole in the ground being filled with water

What is percolation testing?

In order to check if your proposed area of ground is suitable for taking effluent discharge from your septic tank, we need to check the soil absorption rate. This is how quickly water can drain through or be absorbed by soil over a given period of time. Absorption rates vary due to changes in soil makeup. For example, a sandy soil will allow water to pass through it faster than a heavy clay one.

The test will make sure that the water from your tank is fully absorbed or distributed before it reaches the water table. If it doesn’t, there is the risk of contamination. This means that your soil should not be too heavy (which risks pooling) or too light (which risks the water draining away too quickly before it is filtered).

Once we have measured the absorption rate of your ground, we will be able to work out how much land is needed.

A measuring stick in a hole full of water doing a percolation test

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What is involved in percolation testing?

A percolation test is relatively straightforward. It is important, however, that it is done correctly. This will save you from miscalculating which could be an expensive error down the line. We will ensure that the holes we dig are to the correct depth and perfect for running a test. We’ll then handle all of the measurements, and calculations and offer you recommendations too.

When should I request a percolation test?

If you are looking to install a septic tank somewhere new, then performing a percolation test as early in the process as possible is best. That’s because not only will you know if your land is suitable for such a tank, you can begin to calculate how much money it will cost to set it up. Some areas of land need a lot of area to fully deal with waste water.

If you already have a septic tank, it’s worth performing a soakaway percolation test when you replace your old one. That’s a good idea because this way you can be sure the ground is still functioning as well as it should and your waste water isn’t draining into the water table or pooling on the surface.

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Quick and easy percolation testing in Scotland

Simply get in touch to request your percolation testing anywhere in Scotland. We are based in Argyll and Bute and offer our services across the country. Once you have your test, why not consider asking us to install your septic tank?

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