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ben1024 · Jan 30, 2010, 12:43 AM

We are in the process of buying a new home. After inspections they told us we needed a new well and dain field. The seller is paying for it. They told us because of the slab floor they had to place the pressure switch outdoors and that we should hard wire a 60 watt light bulb to keep the switch warm.

Does this make sense to anybody? Why would the slab floor stop them from putting it indoors? Do you think the cold Michigan weather is going to affect the switch?

Sorry for so many questions. But if anybody could help me undestand this more I would aprreciate it. Thanks

speedball1 · Jan 30, 2010, 06:30 AM

Do you have a attached garage yhat the pump and control could be installed in? Are they suggesting that you build a enclosure, stick the pump, bladder tank and control box and heat it with a light bulb? How about the service line into the house?
How do they intend to keep that from freezing?
What was the original set up? Where was that located?
If you haven't closed then you have the power. You tell them what you want done before you close.
What was wrong with the old drainfirld? Did they clog it up by not providing a grease trap for the kitchen sink and the washer?
Sounds like your place has major issues. Who hired the inspector? You or the seller? If it were me I'd want this place checked out very thoroughly before I closed. I'd also want the pump repositioned.
Please keep me in the loop and let me know the outcome. Good luck, Tom

ben1024 · Jan 30, 2010, 09:16 AM

There is no attached garage. Im not exactly sure were the tank is positioned, but doesn't the pressure switch usually attach to the pipes at the pressure tank?
The old well was in a pit in the ground with a cover over it.
Its not that the well or the drain field didn't work or that they were clogged, it was determined that they were outdated and needed to be brought up to code. Im going to stop by there today to look at things I will try to let you know more. Thanks.

speedball1 · Jan 30, 2010, 11:35 AM

Its not that the well or the drain field didn't work or that they were clogged, it was determined that they were outdated and needed to be brought up to code.

I'm a great believer in, "if it ain't broke don't fix it. Putting your pump where it can freeze up is " bringing it up to code"?
Now the drainfield, what's out of code there that it has to be moved?
Something smells fishy about all of this and before I went any farther I'd want to know exactly what it is. Ask them to rell you what's out of code. Ask questions and make them answer. Good luck, Tom

ben1024 · Jan 30, 2010, 01:04 PM

Ok, I got some questions answered. Apparently there was no drain field. Whatever was used for the drain field was a dry well I guess and it was to small and it was to close to the well, that's wy they moved the well. So what they did was install a new well about 50' over and installed a brand new drain field. The pressure tank was buried under ground below the frost line. The pressure switch is exposed and that's why they suggested the light bulb and enclosure.

Apparently the way they did it was the least expensive but it is to code. So there really is no authority to make them put it inside. So basically if I want it inside ill have to get it done after we buy.
What do you think? Thanks for your help, Ben