I have groundwater problems at my house. The previous owners had some work done but that system has failed and the problem is back. There was an electrical wire in the panel labeled "pump" so I was wondering if there wasn't a sump somewhere. I did locate one near the house and I thought that the wire might lead to that.
I do have a nice metal detector but it doesn't do that well on non-ferrous materials in waterlogged soil and uncertain depth. I rented one of these VM-550 Service Drop Locator for $50 at my local hardware store (an amazing place - family owned since 1962) and it found the wire right away. Rather than depend on traditional metal detection, this unit has a transmitter that attaches to the wire where it goes to the panel and I have a wand to find it in the yard.
Completely different place from where I was expecting. $50 very well spent...
Spent an hour or two digging and located the second sump - full of sand and gravel. Found the drains and they were full too. Never maintained. Oh well - that is the new owners problem now. Moving out in a few months. Lisa and I are locating out of the area - still deciding where... Lish wist? Red state, low taxes, warmer climate, 5+ acres
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