Building a pump house

DexterII · 04-11-2012, 11:08 PM

Yeah, I agree with Joe, and did not mean that the slab needs to be 8" thick, but that the top of the slab should be such that the siding ends up 8" above grade. For something this simple, as I dug the footings I would place enough dirt inside of the footing to bring the center, under the floor of the pump house, up to within about 4" of the top of the forms, so the floor itself ends up being 4" thick, but 8" + above grade.

DexterII · 04-12-2012, 08:29 AM

I happen to prefer having the pump elevated, and, living in the country, would not pour any slab without at least a rat wall, again, if for no other reason than to keep critters digging under it. But, knowing that is not a concern for everyone, and seeing Joe's post regarding a simple slab with a row of blocks, caused me to think that another option that you might consider is to still go with a basic slab, and dry stack three walls, or maybe all four, and build your roof removable or otherwise accessible. It would eliminate all or most of the wall framing, depending how you configure it, and subsequent concerns with rot, etc.

damian51 · 04-12-2012, 09:39 AM

Only reason for building a pump shed was to get my pump out of the elements. The configuration of my water well is I have a jet pump that is elevated and otop of the well casing. Then a pressure tank. For now I might just put a tarp over it to keep the rain off while I decide on what I want to do

cortell · 04-12-2012, 10:47 AM

I built one this winter. I built it just like I would build a shed. The pump is new so I didn't worry about installing an access door through the roof. I however made sure there is no rafter above the pump so I'll be able to cut an opening when it's needed down the road. I had a 5x7 slab which I had to extend in both the horizontal direction (tank was in the way of the wall) and the upward direction (to give the mudsill/siding at least 6" from grade).

Simple lean-to roof design. The siding is SYP T1-11, primed and painted after installation. I used 2x6 for the rafters. Anchor bolted the mudsill into the concrete blocks with 1/2" J bolts. Hardi soffit board at both the eaves and the peak for ventilation. Harditrim, too. Built and installed a door with the same siding a month later.