What to Know About Well Inspections

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Buying a Home With a Well

Check the well quality!

Don’t buy a home without having the well tested first. The well is on the list of things you should inspect when purchasing a home. There are a few tests that can be conducted, the most obvious of which is one for water safety and purity.

A water sample will be taken from the tap at the home and then sent to a qualified water testing lab to get a clear idea of what it contains. You will receive a report from the lab that details the water results.

The lab will typically show you what the water contains along with what the passing limit is for each element.

You will want to have a water professional that is familiar with the area look over the results to help you understand them, as water conditions can vary quite a bit in different areas.

Standard water tests will typically check for such things as PH, hardness, alkalinity, and turbidity. Standard mineral testing will often include things like iron, calcium, manganese, copper, fluoride, Chloride and others. Coliform bacteria is also typically checked in most well tests, especially in rural areas.

It is also highly recommended that you check for VOC’s as well. Volatile organic compounds are the real bad stuff you don’t want in your water. Examples of VOCs include gasoline compounds such as MtBE and benzene.

One thing you should be keenly aware of is the need to test for radon in water. In many places, radon is not on the list of elements that are automatically checked. However, real estate agents should understand this and advise their clients of the need to check for radon.

If you are buying a home with a well make sure you ask the person conducting the test to have the lab screen for radon as well.

If you find that the test has determined high radon levels in the water, it can be fixed easily enough. It is, however, not cheap. The average cost to remove radon in water is $5000-$6000.

Check the well quantity!

In most locations, it is required that the well produces 3-5 gallons per minute. Generally, a 3-gallon minimum is required for older homes and new homes 5 gallons per minute. You can also have the flow rate and the yield of the well tested by professionals with the right equipment.

A professional well inspection will do just that. Just because a well has clean, safe drinking water does not mean that it contains enough water to meet the needs of your household.

There are a couple of methods to check on the amount of water in the well. The first is water storage capacity. A traditional 6-inch diameter drilled well can store 1.5 gallons of water per foot. If you can find out the depth of the well, the level of the water and pump depth, you’ll be able to determine the water storage capacity.

When checking on a well’s water supply, the first test done is most often a flow rate test. The flow refers to the amount of water coming from the well, and the flow rate measures the gallons per minute being dispersed. The average home needs 100 to 120 gallons per person per day and a flow rate of about 6 to 12 gallons per minute. The requirement could be more if a large family is creating more water demand.

Before you buy, it is important to know that the well will generate enough water, both flow rate, and overall capacity, to meet the needs of your home for the long-haul. Otherwise, you will find yourself needing to drill another well – or wait for the well to refill, which can take a long time.

Well inspections will reveal all of these critical data points worth knowing.

Series Navigation<< Things To Consider When Buying A Home With A WellWhat to Do If The Well Quantity Fails >>

Do you need help with your water system? 

If you need well repairs, a well inspection, a well drilled, or any of the other well and water system related services we provide, you can email us 24 hours a day at service@jkawelldrilling.com, or call us at (360) 684-1932 (office hours are Monday-Friday, 730AM - 300PM).

Low Water Pressure And How To Fix (Water Well Repairs FAQ)

Low water pressure can be a significant inconvenience, especially when it worsens over time. It can be a straightforward issue to resolve in some cases, while in others, it becomes a persistent problem. Therefore, it's valuable for homeowners to be aware of the common...

Does Monroe Washington Have a Lot of Wells?

Yes, Monroe, Washington has a lot of wells. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, there are over 10,000 active wells in the city of Monroe. This is because Monroe is located in a region with a high water table and abundant groundwater resources....

FAQ: When Should I Replace My Well Casing?

The lifespan of a well casing can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of casing material, the quality of the installation, and the environmental conditions. In Washington state, well casings typically last for 30-50 years, sometimes longer....

Here are some additional tips for well owners with older wells:

Be aware of the signs of well problems. This could include low water pressure, brown or cloudy water, or an unpleasant taste or odor. Have your well inspected more frequently than every 10 years, especially if you are located in an area with known groundwater...

FAQ: If My Well Is More Than 10 Years Old, What Do I Need to Do?

If your well is more than 10 years old, you should have it inspected by a qualified well contractor or inspector. This will help to identify any potential problems with your well, such as damage, corrosion, or leaks. The inspector may also recommend any necessary...

How Do You Get Water for Irrigation?

Accessing water sources for irrigation involves several steps, including understanding local regulations, obtaining necessary permits, and installing the appropriate infrastructure. Here's a general guide on how to access water sources for irrigation: Identify Water...

Without a Home Inspection Before Buying, You Might Run Into Problems

Without a home inspection before buying, you might run into several potential well issues that could pose significant problems and expenses. A well inspection is crucial, especially for properties with a private well as their water source. A well inspection can reveal...

What Regulatory Requirements Lead to Well Decommisions? (Pacific Northwest – Monroe, WA)

In the northwest region, the specific regulatory requirements that can lead to the decommissioning of a well may vary depending on the jurisdiction and local regulations. However, here are some common regulatory factors that could contribute to the decommissioning of...

What Well Pump Brands Do Professional Well Installers Use?

In the Northwest region of the United States, some well pump brands are particularly popular among professional well installers due to their reliability and performance in the local conditions. While preferences may vary among installers, the following well pump...

What Kind of Maintenance Do Well Owners Do in the Pacific Northwest

As a well owner in the Pacific Northwest, there are several important maintenance tasks you should consider to ensure the proper functioning and safety of your well system. Here are some key maintenance activities: Regular Water Testing: Schedule periodic water...

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS