Well inspection: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What well inspection is

A well inspection examines a private well's components, such as the casing, the cap, the pump and the pressure tank, and often tests the flow and arranges a water sample. The inspector reports on the condition of the system and any concern about the water. This is general information only.

Signs you need it

  • You are buying a home served by a private well and need to know the condition and the output before closing
  • The water pressure drops, the pump cycles too often or the pump runs with no water coming out
  • The water looks cloudy, smells, tastes different or changes color after rain or a dry spell
  • The well cap is cracked, loose or missing, or the casing is above ground with no seal
  • The well is old, has no records and you need to plan for pump or tank replacement

What the pro does

  • The inspector collects the history of the well, including its depth, the age of the pump and any past water tests
  • They inspect the well cap, the casing, the vent, the seal and the wellhead for damage and open paths for surface water
  • They check the pump, the pressure tank, the pressure switch and the wiring at the control box, and test the system's cycling
  • They run a flow test to measure how much water the well delivers, and note the drawdown if the test allows
  • They arrange a water sample, sent to a lab for the tests you choose, and review the results with you
  • They write a report that lists the condition of each component, the water test results and the repairs each one needs

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Well depth and the access to the wellhead, including buried or hard-to-reach wells
  • Pump type and age, including submersible and jet pumps, and the control equipment
  • Number of water tests included, such as bacteria, nitrate, lead or hardness
  • Lab fees for each sample, which change with the test panel chosen
  • Flow test length and whether a drawdown measurement is included
  • Pressure tank type and whether it is inspected or only checked for pressure
  • Repairs or pump pulling needed after the inspection, which are quoted separately

What a written quote should spell out

  • Components inspected, such as cap, casing, pump, pressure tank and control box
  • Flow test included, with its length and the method used
  • Water tests included, with the test names and the lab that runs them
  • Report format, the lab result delivery and the date each result is expected
  • Drawdown measurement included or excluded
  • Who explains the water results and how a failing result is handled

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which water tests do you run, and which ones are needed for a home with a well like this one?
  • How long will the flow test take, and what flow rate do you expect for this household?
  • How old is the pump and the pressure tank, and how did you judge their condition?
  • Does the cap, the casing and the seal keep surface water out, and where are the gaps?
  • Who sends the water sample, and how long until I get the lab results?
  • If the water tests positive for a problem, what do the next steps look like?
  • Are you licensed or certified, and can I check that with the state board?

Red flags

  • They say the water is safe without sending a sample to a lab
  • They do not run a flow test or do not explain how they measured the output
  • They recommend a pump or tank replacement without showing the test readings
  • They do not check the well cap and the casing for open paths that let surface water in

What you can do yourself

You can keep a log of the water pressure, the cloudiness and any change in taste or smell, and note the dates of any rain or dry spell. You can also check that the well cap is in place and that nothing is stored against the wellhead. Do not open the well, the pump or the pressure tank, do not touch the electrical control box, and do not disinfect the well yourself. Call a licensed well contractor and a lab for those steps.

Licenses and permits

Well inspection is often done by licensed or certified well professionals, and pump and well repairs are commonly done by licensed well contractors. Water testing is done by accredited laboratories. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local health or environmental office for the rules that apply to your well.

Well inspection questions

How often should a private well be tested?

Many health and water professionals recommend regular testing, and more often after flooding, a repair or a change in the water. Ask your local health or environmental office which tests apply to your area and how often to run them.

Does a well inspection tell me if the water is safe to drink?

The inspection checks the system, and the water sample checks the water. Only a lab test of the water can show whether it meets the standards you test against. Ask for the results in writing.

What is a flow test?

A flow test measures how many gallons per minute the well delivers and how the water level in the well responds when it is pumped. It shows whether the well can supply the household's use and whether the pump is working as it should.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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