When looking for the perfect home, you don’t want any unexpected problems to interrupt the process. Well inspections are part of preparing for the unknown. While home inspections are crucial during this process, it’s important not to skip the inspection of another significant part of your home: your well! Not all homes have a well, but if the one you’re looking at does, it’s essential to ensure it’s functioning correctly with a well inspections from a certified well inspector!
A Well’s Purpose
In most suburban neighborhoods, you won’t need to worry about getting a well inspection as they don’t have well water. However, if you live in more rural areas, wells are the primary water source for you and your family. It goes without saying that water is essential for you and your family, and wells are your gateway to clean water!
Wells are a great way to provide this water to anyone living in rural areas or areas without easy water access. Homeowners use this water for cooking, bathing, and drinking; virtually anything you might need water for in your home. If you’re looking to buy a home in an area where there aren’t many houses near each other, you’re likely to encounter a well on the property.
How Do Wells Work?
If you’re new to the well scene, that’s okay! Here’s a breakdown of how wells run, in a nutshell: the well gets its water supply from groundwater, from an aquifer, deep below the surface of the ground you walk on. This water is then broughtinto your home through a pump (or bucket, but that’s not as common nowadays).
It is important to know that the homeowner, not the city, maintains this water and the well itself. It’s nice to have a well of your own because it is free to use, but unfortunately, it’s not tested or regulated by the government. If you’re unsure about the maintenance process for a well, it’s essential to research the pros and cons of owning one!
Steps To Good Well Inspections
Step 1: Visual Inspection
As with any inspection, the first step is to take visual notice of the main components of your well, including the wellhead, pump, well cap, pressure tank, and grout. They will also analyze other system elements, including well casting, electrical wiring, jet pump, capacitor, and gauges. Leaky, broken, or missing equipment can cause pressure problems and make it easier for contaminants to make their way into your water.
Step 2: Water Testing
The next step is performing well water testing, checking for any contaminants that could be a health concern for you and your family. Well inspectors take water samples and send them to a lab to determine the amount of minerals and compounds within them. You should test your water annually for naturally occurring contaminants, such as nitrates or radon, as well as bacteria like E. coli.
Step 3: Flow Testing
It’s estimated that each person uses 80 to 100 gallons of water daily, so it’s crucial to ensure your well can keep up with that demand. The inspectors need to conduct a flow rate test, monitoring the water level while the well is running and how fast the well refills. Sometimes, an inspector will recommend an upgraded pump if your well struggles to keep up with the amount of water used.
Step 4: Record Tracking
Part of proper well upkeep is keeping track of all maintenance/inspections and the dates they were completed. Keep all maintenance records and test results so you can more easily notice any differing trends in your well and ensure it’s functioning correctly. Confirming current inspections before buying/selling a property with a well is necessary so all parties are comfortable with the purchase.
Choosing The Right Inspector
We know it’s a lot to take in, especially if you are considering buying a property that has a well for the first time. It doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavor, though, with the right well inspectors behind you! The Detail View Home Inspections team is here for you, ready to answer any questions you have about well inspections in the Southwest Virginia area!
