Ah, life. Now the 'bladder' in my well tank is leaking so I'm getting a new tank installed.

[Siwsan]

I was kind of freaked out at how much this would cost, but honestly, it's not nearly as bad as I feared. And I lucked out that when I called, they were headed to a job that was close by, so brought a new tank with them, in case that's what I needed.

This was on my 'replace' list, anyway, but with the expense of the new roof, just not so soon.

So, now just one more old piece of equipment to be replaced - the water softener. Might as well bite the bullet and call about that, on Monday. Then I can start worrying about myself more than I worry about this house.

[Kali]

1. we are using a cheap combo unit from Harbor Freight

pump and tank is under $150 and with warranty you can pretty much just replace it annually. hmmm where did I put that gift card?

[Siwsan]

2. I figure this is just another 'perk' if I decide to put the house on the market.

And save me a lot of hassle, down the road.

Most of the equipment, here, has really lasted a long time. When I replaced the submersible well pump, 3 years ago, the date on it was something like 1983. The furnace/ac I replaced in 2018 was installed in 1985. Who knows how old this well tank is but I bet it's from about the same era. As, most likely, is the water softener.

[Kali]

3. oh yeah for resale, better get decent equipment

LOL. I live in a decrepit 100+ year old house and that cheap pump was a huge modernizing upgrade from the gravity system that was here forever. pvc plumbing is a modern miracle!

[Siwsan]

4. My house is half that age.

I do worry about what codes it no longer meets, when I go to sell it.

[Delarage]

5. My friends who sold their house

in rural PA also had unexpected surprises before they went to settlement with the buyers...the well and septic system inspections. Both needed work, but neither was as bad as they thought and they were over 20 years old. There is always something, but sounds like you're getting the big stuff done. The rest will be easier.

[Siwsan]

6. I think I'm about to run out of things we can't do, ourselves

I still have to paint, pull out the carpeting and prep/stain the hardwood floors that have been covered with carpet since 1968. Then a few more cosmetic touches, and the house will finally look and feel like me, rather than my aunt and uncle (I inherited their house). I also plan to get rid of a BUNCH of furniture. And by 'get rid' I mean donate to Habitat for Humanity.

Ideally, I'd love to sell it, and buy a 2 bedroom bungalow.

[Delarage]

7. Hardwood floors

are no walk in the park....I did it once. Of course I decided to do it AFTER we moved into the house, so I had to move a lot of stuff. I was going to try a drum sander but the guy at Home Depot talked me into using a random orbital sander. The potential for disaster is less, but it took FOREVER and was still messy. I swore that I'd hire someone for that if I ever had to do it again.

But I love the Habitat for Humanity idea; I take stuff there all the time and I've gotten some really good deals there (light fixtures, paint supplies). And Jimmy Carter volunteers with them

[csziggy]

8. How old was the old tank?

I worry about mine since the tank is over forty years old. We've replaced the pump inside the well three times, the control box several times, and just had to replace the capacitor in the control box.

Our tank and well provide water for the entire farm, not just the house, so it is essential. Most of the cost of replacing the capacitor was for the emergency call - the danged thing went out about 4:30 in the afternoon and by the time I did some troubleshooting, it was after five. At least the guy got here quick so by 6:30 we had water. My husband was relieved, he'd worked hard in the heat that day and really, really wanted a shower.

[Siwsan]

9. I have no idea, but going by the other equipment I've replaced, probably about 30 years old

The well pump was from either 1982 or 1983. I replaced it in 2017. The furnace/ac was installed in 1985 and that was replaced in 2017, too. The house was built in 1968.