Let’s say you are all prepared to invest in your first home or retire to the country cottage you have been dreaming of. You are done with the formalities but you get to know that the property has a well, and you are not sure what to do. Fret not; we can help you. You can ask the following questions to know the status of the well:
1. Does the house come with a drilled well, if so, when had it been drilled? The average lifespan of a well is about 30–50 years.
2. What is the depth of the well? Drilled wells go down more than 100 feet in depth.
3. What is the water’s flow rate? It is about 3–5 gallons per minute.
4. What is the capacity of a well? This is especially important if several people are living in the same house. A typical household needs 100–120 gallons of water per day and person.
5. How is the groundwater in that area? Groundwater is typically shared. You must consult an EPA or the local water expert regarding widespread groundwater issues in the area.
6. How much land comes with the property? Homes with wells have septic tanks to treat wastewater going out. Ideally, you would not want the waste to contaminate your water. If you have at least an acre of property, it is more likely that the septic and the well will be 100 feet apart. This is to prevent contamination. Additional acreage ensures that there will be a spot to drill yet another well if you ever need one more.
7. What is the state of the remaining water system? A well is linked to a pump, a pressure tank, and pipes that bring the water from the ground into the home. These pieces must work simultaneously and effectively.
8. How old are both the pump and pressure tank? On average, a well pump lasts for about 10 years. When purchasing a home with any kind of older equipment, remember that you will also need to budget for replacements.
9. When was the pressure tank tested last? The pressure tank must be tested for cut-out pressure, pump cut-in pressure, and pressure differential from time to time. You must also know how long it takes to go from the lower to the higher limit with no amount of water running in the house.
10. Are there visible corrosions on the pressure tank or near the pump fittings?
11. Is the well cap on level ground or uphill? Both artificial and natural contaminants flow downhill and tend to pool in low-lying areas. Hence, you need to ensure that there are no holes around the wellhead. You must also make sure that it sits above spots from where runoff is likely to happen.
12. Here are some of the additional questions you must ask beforehand.
- Does the well casing depth satisfy both local and state codes?
- Does the casing sit at least 12 inches above the ground or higher, especially if it is a flood-prone area?
- Are there visible cracks within the casing?
- Is your well cap vermin-proof?
13. Is the home unoccupied? It is essential to know this as sometimes, a well that has been unused for months or weeks leaves it more prone to contamination.
14. When was the last time the water was tested? You need to know when it was last tested and if you can access those maintenance logs.
15. What’s in this water? A local professional can help test water quality and interpret the results. Ensure that the water quality test covers:
- Minerals
- Radon
- Coliform bacteria
- PH, hardness, turbidity, and alkalinity
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Some impurities are easy to live with, like iron. Other issues like bacteria and hardness can be treated effectively. However, remember that treating radon in water can cost you a lot.
16. How will I adapt to the new well?
Well water generally looks and smells different compared to city water. That is unlikely to affect your health. If you want, you can still invest in additional treatment or filtration systems.
Give Ries Well Drilling Inc a call to answer any questions you may have about well water drilling, well water maintenance, or anything well water-related. We can be reached at (586) 784-9516!
We provide Water Well Drilling Services in the following Michigan Counties: