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Maintain Your Alaska Septic System

May 14, 2013 By Glenda Feeken Leave a Comment

Alaska DEC Septic System

For many new to Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula, septic systems are a foreign concept. The vast majority of Americans, at least the ones moving from a city of any size, had city sewer and water. Both the city of Kenai and the city of Soldotna have city sewer and water within the core of the communities, but you often lose access if you are farther than two miles from a stop light, cross the Kenai River or simply don’t live in town. For rural communities with large lots and a dispersed population (The Alaska Kenai Peninsula) septic systems are the only cost effective option. It is estimated that 30% to 40% of the Alaska’s population use a septic system.

 

The primary purpose of the system is to move human waste out of the house and protect the ground water. During the homestead days of the 50’s and 60’s a wood crib was used to disperse the waste.  Wood cribs were popular and cheap.  The only problem is that most contaminate the ground water. This was not an issue until the homesteader started to have neighbors who placed a well nearby. Modern septic systems were designed to reduce the impact that your sewage would have on your drinking water. If you have concerns, a local inspector can test the water for contaminants.

So What Is A Septic

 

The system consists of a septic tank and a drainage field above and separated from the ground water. The septic tank is fairly standard, most importantly it needs to be sized appropriately for the number of bedrooms and baths it will serve. The septic tank’s purpose is to separate the solids from the liquids. Once the liquid waste leaves the tank it moves into the drainage field where it is dispersed, hopefully. There are several types of drainage field designs ranging from trench and engineered mounds to the occasional pit. The big difference between a wood crib and modern engineered septic is the spacing and type of soils and gravels placed in the drainage field to separate the sewage from the water table. This allows an opportunity for the grey water to be filtered by nature’s bugs before it is sucked up by your downhill neighbors well.

 

When considering a home, make sure that your drainage field is at least 100 feet from your well and your neighbor’s well. It is also a good idea to make sure that your well is at least 100 feet from any surrounding septic drainage fields. If you have questions on septic design check out the State of Alaska Certified Installers Manuel. The local Alaska DEC office in Soldotna can be reached at 907 262 3402.

What is different about Alaska septic systems?

The ground temperature. In the majority of the US the ground temp is in the 60’s. Alaska’s ground temp is in the 40’s four feet below an average lawn. Why is this important? Most types of bacteria can’t survive at this cool of a temperature, so… solids in the holding tank don’t breakdown as fast or at all. Additionally, many companies advertise septic additives to boost the bacteria level in your tanks. What they don’t tell you is that if the temps are below 55 degrees most of their bugs die.

Maintenance

If you recently bought or are buying a home with a septic you need to know the basics of maintaining it. To learn more about what not to put down the drain review “How to destroy your septic”. The most important rules to maintain your septic system are below.

 

Rule # 1: If you did not personally make it, don’t put it in the septic. The system is designed for human waste only. No food, feminine hygiene products or oils.

 

Rule # 2: Have your tank pumped at least every year and a half. If you have the money, doing it annually is cheap insurance. Remember Alaska’s ground temp is cool and slows decay. It is not uncommon to have a significant buildup of solids after a year, particularly for a large household.

 

Rule # 3: For all you tourists and snow birds. Never dump your RV waste tank into the septic holding tank. A septic holding tank is design to accommodate a bath tub of water at a time. A standard RV waste tank will easily flood the holding tank, forcing solids through and into the drainage field, instantly plugging it up. Very bad, very expensive. Alaska DEC requires that most failed systems have the drainage field COMPLETELY replaced. That can run from $6,000 for a deep trench to $20,000+ for an engineered mound.

 

The State of Alaska DEC has a fairly good site on Alaska septic systems including a list of certified installers.

 

Filed Under: Out and About in Kenai, Team Feeken Tagged With: kenai home inspection

New Listing With Amazing View :: Kenai Real Estate & Homes For Sale

March 19, 2013 By Glenda Feeken Leave a Comment

kenai view real estate 3 19 13

Amazing view from the porch of 44055 Stipend Circle North Kenai, AK 99635.

Kenai Real Estate & Homes For Sale:

$175,000 1536 Stellar Drive Kenai, AK 99611
$379,000 36394 Pingo Street Kenai, AK 99611
$120,000 000 Strawberry Acres  Kenai, AK 99611

North Kenai Real Estate & Homes For Sale:

$149,900 51462 Koehler Avenue North Kenai, AK 99635
$265,000 54537 Kenai Spur Highway North Kenai, AK 99635
$360,000 44055 Stipend Circle North Kenai, AK 99635

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Filed Under: Kenai Real Estate :: New Listings Tagged With: Glenda Feeken, Kenai Home, kenai home inspection, Kenai Homes, Kenai Homes For Sale, Kenai Real Estate, Kenai Real estate for sale, Team Feeken

Kenai Real Estate & Homes For Sale :: New Monday Listings

March 18, 2013 By Glenda Feeken Leave a Comment

Kenai Real Estate 3 18 13Kenai Real Estate & Homes For Sale:

$285,000 1006 INLET WOODS DRIVE, KENAI, AK 99611
$339,000 47027 BELMONT COURT, KENAI, AK 99611

 

North Kenai Real Estate & Homes For Sale:

$219,900 49758 ISLAND LAKE ROAD, NIKISKI/NORTH KENAI, AK 99635
$11,500 0000 CLARK AVENUE, NIKISKI/NORTH KENAI, AK 99611
$35,000 48490 SONDRA ROAD, NIKISKI/NORTH KENAI, AK 99635

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Filed Under: Kenai Real Estate :: New Listings Tagged With: Glenda Feeken, Kenai Home, kenai home inspection, Kenai Homes, Kenai Homes For Sale, Kenai Real Estate, Kenai Real estate for sale, Team Feeken

Questions On That New Kenai Home: Get A Home Inspection!

March 15, 2013 By Robert Moss Leave a Comment

Kenai HOme Inspection 2aThe purchase of a Kenai home is expensive. Protect yourself with a home inspection. Before purchasing, it is always a good idea to have a Kenai home inspector conduct an independent and objective review of the major systems of the Kenai home. A Kenai home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a Kenai home, from the roof to the foundation. Having a Kenai home inspected is like giving it a physical check-up.

 

The home inspector will review the condition of the Kenai home’s heating system, interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and visible structure.  The home inspector provides a written report on the conditions of these systems and alerts the purchaser to problems with the home so the purchaser can make an educated decision about buying the Kenai home.

 

It is always recommended that a Kenai home buyer accompany the inspector.  This allows the purchaser to observe the inspector, ask questions about the condition of the home, how its systems work, and how to maintain them.  After the purchaser has seen the property with the inspector, the written report is much easier to understand. The inspector should be available after the inspection is over for questions pertaining to the house.  A home inspection is a great way to learn about a property, helps protect a home buyer from  surprises after the purchase.

 

About The Author:
Robert Moss is a senior home inspector with Wisdom and Associates, Inc.. Robert has accumulated a wealth of knowledge with 13 years of Kenai home inspection experience. Follow Rob at google+ or email: robert@akinspections.com

 

Filed Under: Kenai Real Estate News Tagged With: home inspection, kenai home inspection, Kenai Homes, Kenai Homes For Sale

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10767 Kenai Spur Hwy Ste A, Kenai, AK 99611
Office: 907.283.5888 • Cell: 907.252.2743
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