Before a septic system can be permitted on your Yucaipa land, you need a percolation test, which is proof of how fast your soil drains. It's the first step for any new build on unsewered property, and it decides what kind of system you can put in.
Yucaipa soil is famously inconsistent: decomposed granite that drains fast on one parcel, clay lenses that barely drain on the next. We dig the test holes, run the PERC test to the permitting agency's protocol, log the soil profile, and hand over the documentation they want. Then we lay out the system the results call for, and an outside licensed engineer stamps the plans when the county requires it.
Permits go through the county or city, depending on where the property is. In unincorporated areas, that's San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services.
Signs You Need a PERC Test
- You're buying or building on land with no sewer connection
- You're replacing a failed system and the permit calls for soil data
- You're adding an ADU or bedrooms that need a bigger system
- You want to know whether a lot can support septic before you buy it
What Happens When We Come Out
- You send us the parcel information and what you plan to build.
- We visit the lot and pick test hole locations based on where the system will likely go.
- Our rig digs the test holes and we log the soil profile.
- We run the PERC test and record the results.
- We put the results into the report the agency wants and use them to plan the system.
What We Handle
- Percolation testing to the permitting agency's protocol
- Soil-profile logging and documentation
- Site evaluation for system placement
- System layout based on your results
- Permit submittal handled start to finish
What is a PERC test?
It's a test of how fast water soaks into your soil. We dig test holes where the septic system would go, fill them with water and time how quickly the level drops. The results tell the permitting agency what kind and size of system the lot can support.
Why do PERC results vary so much across Yucaipa?
Because the ground does. Decomposed granite drains fast, clay lenses barely drain, and you can find both within a short distance. That's why your neighbor's results don't tell you much about your lot. Each parcel needs its own test.
What if my lot fails the PERC test?
It doesn't always mean you can't build. Slow soil may call for a larger leach field, a seepage pit that reaches better soil deeper down, or another system type the county allows. We'll walk you through what your results mean and what options the lot still has.
Do I need a PERC test to replace an existing septic system?
Often, yes, especially if the new system goes in a different spot or the old one failed. The permitting agency sets the rule for each job. We'll check what's required for your property before we start digging.
Why Yucaipa Calls Valley Drilling First
We've been drilling and testing soil around Yucaipa since 1950 with our own rigs. Family-owned, C-42 licensed, bonded and insured, and the crew that tests your soil can also build the system.
Nearby Areas We Also Serve
If you're planning past the test, see new septic systems in Yucaipa and in Redlands, or read about septic for ADUs. For the wider area, visit our San Bernardino County septic page.
Need a PERC test in Yucaipa? Call (909) 795-6164. We answer 7 days, 8 AM to 8 PM, and after-hours emergency calls are answered.
Get a Free Estimate →More answers on our Septic FAQ, or read about our company. Try the tank size and pump-out calculators for a quick ballpark.