We are looking at building a 6x6 pump house below grade using concrete block

[hawkeye08]

We are looking at building a 6x6 pump house below grade using concrete block and need some pointers. We have not done block before and know it is some hard work, but really don't want to set forms and pour concrete either.

Plan is to have well in one corner (sticking through sloping roof for access, or below roof and be able to remove roof for access) and since the pitless adapter is about 6' below grade, have it that deep. Plan was to pour a footing (mixing in electric mixer) perhaps 4" thick, 12" wide and then set our blocks on that. I don't want to be cutting blocks so 6x6 is not critical, but rather whatever size works for the standard 16" blocks. We're planning on digging down below floor level and putting 6-8" gravel down so we have some drainage.

I just started googling to see what I can find, have not found what I wanted yet..

thanks in advance for the encouragement and helpful advice.

 

[Rustyiron]

I've done this with a precast septic tank and had them make a "lid" that did not have the normal openings, but with a 3x3 opening to allow for a ladder.
With block, depending on your groundwater situation, you may have to parge & tar the outside to keep the water out. Your plans should be fine as your just building a very small foundation just as you would with a house. You might be able to skip the footers if you were to get some 6' concrete lintels and place them on un disturbed earth, then place your gravel for the floor up to the top of them. I would use 2 lintels for each side placing them so that the top of them equal the size block you will use. (8"-12" etc.) and backfill with gravel to allow for drainage. If you end up with a big "overdig", concerns of the weight of the backfill pushing the walls inward will need to be addressed. Dura wire might solve this concern being only 6' walls.

 

[oosik]

You will want to check with your local Health Dept. Health Depts seldom approve a well in a pit in many areas. It subjects the well to flooding from intrusion of surface waters. This all comes about if a lending institution asks for approval of your water system as a condition of financing or sale of the home.

I strongly urge that your well house be an above ground structure and not a pit.

 

[teejk]

You will want to check with your local Health Dept. Health Depts seldom approve a well in a pit in many areas. It subjects the well to flooding from intrusion of surface waters. This all comes about if a lending institution asks for approval of your water system as a condition of financing or sale of the home.

I strongly urge that your well house be an above ground structure and not a pit.

Agree. Even a drilled well code (around here anyway) requires the casing to extend above grade. Think about all the nasty stuff that could get in there and contaminate the water.

 

[fried1765]

You will want to check with your local Health Dept. Health Depts seldom approve a well in a pit in many areas. It subjects the well to flooding from intrusion of surface waters. This all comes about if a lending institution asks for approval of your water system as a condition of financing or sale of the home.

I strongly urge that your well house be an above ground structure and not a pit.

Soil conditions can make a big difference in this situation.
My dad dug a pit (by hand - long story) during the big war, when we could not get a deep well pump.
Soil condition in this area is pure sand, with an occasional very thin sandy clay layer.
The pump sat in the bottom of that 20' deep pit, and there was never any flooding, due to the porous nature of the sand itself.

In 1965 that pit was abandoned (filled in), and I built a concrete block pit 10' deep, in a different (slightly lower) area on the property.
A pump now sits in the bottom of that pit, connected to a 2" x 20' piece of driven PVC, with a 3'- 8 slot stainless point. (I have a special technique for driving PVC pipe).
Thus the current well is 10' +20'+3'
I am currently using a 1HP Gould's J-10S shallow well pump in the pit.
NEVER any issue with the pit having any water in the bottom.
I could open the pump output full blast, and the water would not back up in the pit (pump would be ruined if it did).
Surface water (on sand) does not collect on the outside of the pit.
Soil condition/drainage makes a BIG difference, as to whether a pit installation can be safe and effective.

 

[hawkeye08]

For those concerned about the well, it is working fine and has been in since '93. The top is above ground and we have no plans to change that or allow anything to get into it. We are talking about a root cellar with the well casing in one corner sticking out the top. The house and well are on the high spot so the only water intrusion would be from rain or snow melt.

 

[oosik]

I would still recommend that you discuss your plans with your local Health Dept. After the fact surprises are never fun.

 

[bspeedy]

You're getting good advice. Leave the well alone and put your root cellar somewhere else.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Do what you want to do.

 

[hawkeye08]

Ok, let's put the root cellar in a different location, can I get some advice on the building aspect now?

We want to use the concrete blocks, thinking the 6" wide blocks 8" high, 16" long. Planning on a footing to start them on, gravel floor.