Annual Well Inspections & Maintenance
Wells are complicated systems that most people don't fully understand or have any direct experience with. In order to assure good reliable service, well systems need to regular inspection & maintenance performed by licensed and qualified professional. Careful and accurate data records help to reduce the potential for catastrophic equipement or even health problems in the future, and proper equipment maintenance can result in your well providing many trouble free years of service.
Annual Inspection - Benefits
We provide an annual inspection service that will allow you to rest easy that the water you're drinking, cooking with, and bathing in, is the safest it can be. Beyond peace of mind that your well water is safe, we also will provide an extended warranty on your well pump and water system! The warranty will provide steep discounts on flat rate repairs - up to 30%! This can mean savings of up to $1500 for a complete system replacement. This means that if we find that your well motor is in need of repair, you can save more money by having us fix it before it completely breaks, and you'll never be out of water waiting for a technician to show up! Warranty rates are based on current installation records, the installer, and the brands/types of material used to install the system.
Annual inspections cover the electrical and plumbing system, as it relates to the well, pumps, and treatment system. Included in this inspection is a check and maintenance of the pressure tank, inspection of the pressure switch & relief system. If any other repairs/modifications are warranted, they'll be detailed in a concise written report and you'll be provided with a guaranteed flat rate repair cost for approval prior to completion.
If you have a water treatment system, we'll perform the upkeep to make sure the water stays clean - including adding minerals/salts to the tanks on a monthly basis (a trip charge may be applicable).
Because we are specialty licensed, we can not certify or inspect the electrical inside or beyond a breaker panel - so we don't cover breakers, breaker panels, service entrances, lights in the house, switches that aren't in the pump house, etc. Also, we can't work on distribution plumbing, only supply lines - so we don't cover leaking toilets, a leaking line under the house, etc.
Disclaimer: All Labor performed on holidays & Sundays is not discounted.
What do annual inspections cost?
Contract amounts are based on the work to be completed and how/when the system was originally installed. For all domestic wells, we charge a one time setup fee of $200 - this includes a first time site visit, inspection-plan write up, and drafting of the agreement(s). If we completed the well and pump installation, we'll waive the setup charge.
For shared wells & group systems, an onsite evaluation of the system is required in order to properly estimate and write up a contractual agreement. The initial evaluation will be treated as the first inspection, and will be billed as per a service call, $120 per man, per hour, plus $45 per hour for a pump truck, if necessary.
Annual well inspections include, at a minimum, the following services:
A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of the water level before and during pumping (if possible).
A check of the pump motor performance (amp load, grounding, and line voltage), pressure tank and pressure switch contacts
An evaluation of general water quality (odor, cloudiness, etc.)
An inspection of well equipment to assure that it is sanitary and meets local code requirements.
A test of your water for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and anything else of local concern.
Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides, and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance, and odor. Changes in these constituents also may indicate changes in your well or local ground water. Additional tests may be recommended if water appears cloudy or oily, if bacterial growth is visible on fixtures, or water treatment devices are not working as they should. Check with your water well contractor, state department of natural resources, or local health department for information on local water quality issues.
A concise, clear, written report will be delivered to you following the checkup, usually within a 5 to 10 day period. The report will explain results and recommendations, and includes all laboratory and other test results.
Request A Maintenance Plan Quote
The National Ground Water Association has published a brochure titled Eight Tips For Maintaining Your Well.
Annual well inspections are recommended by the National Ground Water Association through their public web portal WellOwner.org.
