Should I be concerned about ‘pumping chamber’ with new build?

[CrustardCream]

We are moving through the conveyancing process to hopefully buy a new build. It’s a small development of only 2 houses. Builder seems to have done a decentish job but I noticed in the contract pack received today that the drainage plans show a ‘pumping chamber’ marked up in the drive. Our solicitor has raised that maintaining ‘the pump’ would be our responsibility.

I was a bit surprised that it wasn’t mentioned by the developer before. I don’t know much about it but assume the main drain is higher than our prospective new house so everything (water/sewage) has to be pumped up to the drain.

I’m a bit concerned. I have images of blocked pumps and sewage flowing everywhere. And I have no idea of the cost of maintaining the pump or how often it might need replacing.

Does anyone have any knowledge/experience of this type of thing?

Would it put you off buying and what would you suggest we raise/ask before exchange if we do go ahead?

We have one that services a group of 6 properties. Its expensive on electricity but hasn't gone wrong yet, having said that it's only been running two years. "Service" has been £300 a time and is done annually.

We had one and they pump poo. Which is great until they fail at which point they don’t pump poo so the poo backs up in the chamber. Gallons of it.

Then you need a new pump and to install it in a chamber full of poo.

Eventually the pump WILL fail, and so eventually you’ll have to deal with it which will be expensive because it’s a nasty job.

People underestimate how much work drains do ( out of sight out of mind ). There are not many things that would put me off buying a property if i really liked it but having pumped drains would. As the above poster has said ,it will break down and it will be expensive to fix / maintain. Then the additional running cost ( electric). Its a no from me.

Thanks @Brumhilda So on balance would you say you would run a mile from having a house which needed one again? Or is it ok, providing you accept the inevitability of a stinky, expensive replacement process at some point in time.

We built a massive extension on a house and we needed to do it for the same reason the builder has.

If it services both houses but you’re responsible, or even if responsibly is shared run a mile. People put all sorts down drains and even heavy duty pumps can get jammed and you’ll be forever arguing with the neighbours about who did what / who pays.

if it just services your house then you may want to consider it.

we replaced our pump 13 years ago, when we sold the house and the device itself was £1000 then.

plus you have to empty the chamber and it’s specialist work.

The first you’ll know of failure is the alarm which will sound when the black water level rises in the chamber because the pump has failed. It will wake the street and you’ll have to lift the lid on the chamber which will be knee deep in poo / sanitary stuff etc.. to re set it and stop using all water in the house until it’s dealt with. So all toilets / showers / everything stops until you can get it sorted.

I’d budget £5-£10k for a swap out now. Might be less. On balance we both decided we never wanted to do it again because this stuff goes wrong at the wrong time and it’s a massive intrusion. Plus you have to pay the electricity to run it. Which wasn’t an issue then but would be a lot more now.

We have one in our house (inside as our soil pipe is internal) for our kitchen and shower room but we have another family bathroom and en-suite that isn't.

We didn't get it serviced and the fat caused and issue and it burnt out after 9 years.

DH has finally decided to listen and not put fat down the sink.

Servicing was about £100 per year and replacement was about £1k.

I wouldn't consider one if it did the whole house and absolutely not if shared with neighbours.

Thanks. That’s really helpful. We love the house so this cropping up puts a massive doubt in our head.

The costs don’t sound as bad as I thought they might be.

The pump does just cover what would be our house so shared responsibility isn’t an issue either. But I really don’t like the thought of it and even more the thought of a problem with it.

Kids have set their hearts on moving and will be gutted if we decide it’s a dealbreaker so we will have to give it some careful thought.

Previous experience would make me turn this noise down. When they work everything is fine, when they don’t it’s literally a shit storm and expensive plus deeply unpleasant to fix. Although the pump in question serviced 15 houses - so was considerably larger more akin to a mini sewage farm.

Even dealing with a macerator toilet is not for the faint of heart and that’s a tiny thing in comparison to a household pump. So either get very friendly with whomever services it for you (just in case of an emergency) or bail