As a homeowner, you are responsible for knowing about the different systems in your home and how to maintain them properly. One system often overlooked is the well system—until there’s an issue. That’s why keeping up with regular well inspections is so important.
A well inspection is crucial in maintaining your home’s well. It involves testing the water quality, checking for mechanical issues, and ensuring all components function correctly. A thorough well inspection can help identify potential problems before they become serious and costly to repair.
What Is Well Inspection?
A well inspection comprehensively evaluates a private well and septic system to ensure they operate properly and provide safe and reliable drinking water.
It involves a visual inspection of the well equipment, such as the well cap, pressure gauge, and pressure tank, and a flow rate test to measure the well’s water supply. Additionally, the inspector examines the septic tank and its components, including the electrical wiring, submersible pump, and any leaking.
Having a professional well inspector perform a well and septic system inspection is crucial to protect the health of individuals who rely on their private wells for water. Annual testing can identify mechanical defects and ensure that hazardous chemicals or toxic substances have not infiltrated the water supply.
How Do I Know If My Well Needs to be Inspected?
Odd taste, color, or smell
An odd taste, color, or smell signs your well needs to be inspected. This can indicate that bacteria or other contaminants have contaminated the water supply.
Wells with weird taste, color, or smell are usually contaminated with bacteria or other contaminants. These contaminants can cause serious health issues such as gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, and allergic reactions if left untreated. Contamination can also cause corrosion of the pipes and fixtures in the well system, leading to costly repairs.
Pressure drops
Pressure drops are one of the signs that you need to have your well inspected immediately. If the pressure in your well suddenly decreases, it could indicate a mechanical issue or blockage or mean that contaminated water has infiltrated your system.
If the pressure decreases, it can decrease water flow, dry taps, and water pressure throughout the home. Additionally, it can cause increased wear and tear on your plumbing system due to constantly cycling pumps trying to maintain even pressure in the pipes.
This could lead to leaks, burst pipes, and potential flooding. In extreme cases, it can lead to water contamination if bacteria or other contaminants are present in the well’s water supply.
Cloudy water
Cloudy water is a sign of problems with your well system, such as sediment or algae buildup. This can present various issues, including clogged pipes, low water pressure, and contaminated water.
If your water appears milky or cloudy, it could be due to air bubbles in the water pump. These air bubbles are caused by decreased pressure within the well, usually attributed to mechanical failure or broken seals. Additionally, it could indicate that solids or particles are suspended within the supply line due to high turbidity levels.
Leaking seals
Leaking seals can cause a variety of issues in a well. If the seal is broken or worn out, it can lead to water leaking into the well, which can cause an increase in hydrostatic pressure.
This excess pressure can cause pipes and joints to become loose, resulting in a drop in water pressure and leaks around the good cap, piping, or fixtures. In addition, excessive water buildup in the well due to the leak can lead to contamination of the drinking water with bacteria, other contaminants, and sediment.
How Much Does It Cost to Check A Well?
The well inspection cost varies depending on location, property size, and type of test needed (e.g., basic or extensive), but it typically ranges from $150-$500+.
For example, an extensive test may include additional tests like bacterial analysis, which can add to overall costs. It’s important to note that if you have recently purchased a home with an existing well system installed, it would be wise to get one done immediately.
This will help protect your investment and give you peace of mind knowing that your family is drinking clean water free from harmful toxins and bacteria.
Factors to Consider When Scheduling A Well Inspection
Well system age
Wells and septic systems that are older can be more prone to damage and malfunction due to age-related wear and tear.
This is especially true when they haven’t been properly maintained. In addition, older wells may have faulty gauges or mechanical components that could be causing them to leak or otherwise malfunction.
Regularly inspecting your well can help identify any potential issues before they become serious problems. It’s also important to factor in the age of the system when scheduling an inspection, as it will allow for a more thorough assessment of its condition.
Frequency of use
The frequency of use of a well system should be taken into consideration when scheduling a well inspection, as it can have an impact on the overall performance and efficiency of the system. Regular use of the system increases wear and tear, leading to degradation over time.
Therefore, frequent use may require frequent inspections to ensure that issues are caught early and addressed before they become larger problems.
Additionally, regular maintenance can help prolong the life expectancy of a well system by keeping components functioning properly and allowing for prompt repairs when needed.
Natural disasters
Natural disasters can have a significant impact on well systems, as they can disrupt the normal functioning of the system and cause damage to any components. Intense flooding or strong winds may cause pipes to burst, seals to break, or pumps to malfunction.
Other natural disasters, such as earthquakes or tornadoes, can also result in debris being pushed into the well, contaminating the water supply.
In addition, if a natural disaster has occurred in your area, an inspection should be conducted even if no immediate damage is visible.
Flooding and other disasters can cause long-term structural damage that may not be immediately apparent but can become problematic. For instance, after a flood recedes, it can leave behind sediment deposits that could clog pipes over time if not removed.
How Often Should You Get Your Well Checked?
You should get your public or private well checked every year or two to ensure it functions properly and without any issues. This will help detect any potential problems before they become costly repairs.
Additionally, if you notice a significant change in water flow, pressure, or taste; have recently done major construction work near the well; or experience flooding and other extreme weather conditions, it would be wise to get a well inspection as soon as possible.
Generally, it’s best to schedule a regular well inspection of your well system at least once a year to ensure its proper operation and catch any issues before they become serious.
How Do You Check A Well?
Visual Inspections
Visual Inspections are the first step in a Well Inspection and involve looking at both the interior and exterior of the well system. This helps identify potential problems, such as pipes or seals, that may need repair.
Visual inspections should be conducted on inside and outside parts of the well system, including underground piping, tanks, risers, pumps, control valves, and other components. A thorough inspection includes all connections between each component for signs of wear or damage.
Flexible tubing connecting various parts of a well can also be checked for leaks. In addition, if a casing seal is present to ensure water tightness between layers from different periods during construction, it should also be inspected for any visible signs of leakage or damage.
When inspecting an existing pump system installed beneath ground level (where it’s not easily visible), experienced technicians use test instruments such as sound meters to detect leaks and gauge pressure fluctuations within submersible pumps themselves as part of their visual inspection process – this helps them spot potential problems before they become expensive repairs down the line.
Physical Inspection
Physical inspection of a septic system involves testing for contaminants and measuring the performance of the pumps and other components.
During a well inspection, technicians will use specialized equipment to test for bacteria, nitrates, pH levels, lead levels, coliform bacteria, and water samples for water quality testing.
Water pressure gauges will take readings throughout the system to measure water flow rate and pressure levels in a well system. This allows technicians to gauge any inconsistency in water pressure between different areas of a home or property that could indicate an issue with pipes or valves.
In addition to these tests, inspectors may conduct electrical resistance tests on pumps using ohmmeters to detect any problems with wiring or insulation within the motor windings; this can help identify issues related to overheating motors or power surges that could cause damage over time.
Finally, they may check pressure tank air charges using an electronic level sensor, ensuring tanks have enough air inside them to deliver adequate water when needed. In addition to visual and physical tests, a professional well inspector may use specialized equipment, such as pressure gauges or flow rate meters, to assess the system’s condition.
Maintenance Tips
To ensure your well and septic system operate properly, there are some maintenance tips to follow:
Have your well and septic system inspected regularly, at least once a year.
Test your water quality regularly, at least once a year, or as your local health department recommends.
Ensure your well cap and cover are in the proper location and securely in place.
Monitor your water pressure and the number of pump cycles to detect problems early.
Avoid using harsh chemicals near your well or septic system, such as motor oil or fuel
Conclusion
Well inspections are an important part of maintaining your property’s water system. Regular inspections can help detect problems early on and prevent them from becoming expensive repairs.
Working with a qualified professional is important to ensure that all aspects of your well or septic system function properly and safely. These steps can help you keep your home or business running smoothly for years.
Guess what? WildHeron Drilling is a great choice for your well inspection needs. With their knowledgeable and experienced team of professionals, you can rest assured that your well system is in good hands.
If you’re looking for an experienced team that will carefully inspect every aspect of your well or septic system with reliable results, call WildHeron Drilling at 916-625-3807 today!
They are committed to providing superior services at affordable prices so you can have peace of mind knowing that your home or business has had access to clean drinking water for years.
