Well Inspections 101

Last Updated on December 16, 2022 by Mattias

If you live in an area where water wells are the main water supply and not municipal water, inspecting your well from time to time for possible health risks, leaks, damages, or water issues is a great idea.

Also, if you are purchasing a house that has a well water supply, then you should carry out a well inspection. 

So in this article, I will show you the step-by-step procedures for inspecting your well and when to hire the service of a licensed well inspector for professional well inspection.

What Is a Well Inspection?

Proper water well inspection is an in-depth analysis of your well water system. This involves checking its quality, quantity, water pressure, flow rate, and how long it takes to refill.

The inspection would also involve checking your pressure tank and well pump. 

The aim is to check for possible damages and leaks on the well, or any issue which could harm you and all who use the water.

Read also: How To Chlorinate a Well – Step By Step Guide

Should You Hire A Professional To Inspect Your Well For You, Or Should You Inspect It By Yourself?

To have an adequate and thorough examination done on your well, you should hire well inspection services.

Well inspectors properly check your water pressure, your water’s flow rate, and also it’s quality and quantity. 

They also examine your gauges, electrical wiring, capacitor, and jet pumps.

Furthermore, they inspect your pressure tank, storage tank, well casing, water pump, and other components whose faultiness can cause significant issues such as leakage and water contamination.

They carry out these analyses and tell you which components you need to work on and which are working perfectly. 

When hiring a well inspector, ensure it is licensed to save yourself the headache in the long run.

A licensed well inspector is knowledgeable of all the regulations and laws of your local or state agency and would help you abide by them. 

One way to contact these well inspectors is through your local health department or the official website of The National Ground Water Association.

To save time, money, and stress, you can search for home inspectors who can conduct well and septic inspections.

Read also: How Fast Does Well Water Replenish? An Easy Explanation

Steps Involved In Well Inspection

• Analyze Your Well With Your Eyes 

A visual inspection is one of the best ways to check if anything is wrong with your well.

With your eyes, you can look at your well casing, well cover, well cap, and other well components for possible damages or leaks, even before your well inspector comes for further inspection. 

• Test The Well’s Water

The next step you need to take in your well inspection is water testing. 

Water testing gives you an overall analysis of how healthy the water from the well system is. 

It also tells you if it contains harmful bacteria like e.coli or coliform bacteria. 

If you intend to use the water from the well as drinking water, this test is very important, as it would tell you if you need to treat the water first before beginning to drink or if it is safe to drink from it without water treatment. 

For adequate water quality testing, your well inspector will take water samples from your well to a certified laboratory for a lab test and bring the results back to you.

Note that carrying out a water test isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime activity. Once you notice a change in your water taste, color or smell, it is time to carry out a water test, no matter how many times you have done it. 

• Check Your Well’s Flow Rate

Next, your well inspector needs to carry out a flow rate test on your well. 

Every house is supposed to use a specific number of gallons of water daily (80 to 100 gallons), so your inspector needs to test your well to ensure its water level isn’t over the stipulated amount.  

While doing this test, your well inspector will also examine the speed at which your well takes to refill and the volume of well water it pumps to ensure that there is enough water to meet the amount your household requires per day.

After this test, the inspector can now tell you if all is in order or if you need to upgrade your grade.  

• Check The Distance Between The Well And The Septic System 

A septic system has an underground tank where wastewater is deposited.

However, this system tends to leak into the ground, and if it is close to your well, it will leak into your well, so ensure it is at a reasonable distance of 100 feet away from your well. 

If you discover that the septic system is too close to your well, you will have to drill a new well far from it and use it as your primary water source. 

But first, ensure you know the groundwater doctrines, permits, licenses, and water laws before you drill a well in your area.

If you want to know if it is legal to drill your well in your state and the regulations required in your state then click here. ADD Article

• Keep All Records Of Previously Done Inspections Intact

After every well flow and water quality test, ensure you keep a copy of the test results, as it could come in handy in the long run. 

Sometimes, these results are asked when you want to sell your property. 

How Much Does Well Inspection Cost?

The average cost of a well inspection is $300 to $500. However, you must remember that this cost will vary in locations and inspection companies. 

In addition to lab fees, the cost will be up to $400 to $800. 

How Often Should A Well Get Inspected?

Wells should be inspected yearly for its cleanliness, mechanical problems, and if any certain contaminants are present.

Read also: How To Remove Iron From Well Water

Well Inspection Summary

With a proper well inspection, you will know the areas you need to work on for your well to be in perfect shape and have clear, healthy water and peace of mind.