Approximately 40 million people in the United States get their drinking water supply from domestic wells. A study conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found that the data supports what can be noted anecdotally, which is that wells are much more common in sparsely inhabited rural areas. Because city water isn’t available in these rural locations, households rely on private wells for their water needs.
If you’re buying a home that has a water well, inspecting the well will likely be a part of the purchasing process. It’s also important to regularly inspect your well in addition to your septic system if you have one.
How much does a water well inspection cost, though?
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.
How Much Does a Water Well Inspection Cost?
The average cost of a well inspection in the United States is between $300 and $500. It is common in rural areas for homes to get their water supply from wells. These types of homes often process their wastewater using septic systems.
In order to ensure that the well and septic systems are operating properly, these regular inspections should be conducted.
Well inspection prices can vary depending on the types of water tests needed, local market conditions, and whether another related inspection is happening at the same time. Inspecting a well consists of checking the condition of your well equipment as well as testing the safety of your water supply.
During the inspection, the inspector will take samples of your water and send them away to be analyzed in a lab. It can cost an additional $100-$300 to have your water quality tested depending on how many tests are ordered and what type of tests are ordered.
It is common for septic tank inspectors to also be certified to inspect water wells. You might be able to save money if you combine your septic tank inspection and your well inspection. The average cost for these two services together averages between $400 and $650.
When you have your general home inspection, the inspector will do a visual inspection of the well. Sometimes, these inspectors can also offer testing of water quality. If you choose to have the services done at the same time it can help you save money.
When you have water quality testing done as a part of a home inspection, the average cost is between $369 and $546.
It is common for houses that have water wells to be located in rural and remote locations. For this reason, there might be an extra charge per mile for travel. This usually amounts to one dollar to two dollars per mile.
Buying a Home With a Well: What You Should Know
In some places, getting a well inspection as a part of a property changing hands might be required. These mandates vary at the municipal, county, and state level. If you are buying or selling a property, your real estate agent should know what the regulations are in your local area.
You can typically find a list of approved and certified inspectors at your local health department. The health department will need to review and approve the results after the inspection has been conducted. The home sale won’t be able to progress until this is done.
Your mortgage company also might require that your well and septic tank are inspected if you’re buying a home with a private well. Different lenders have different requirements in this regard.
If you’re wondering what you have to disclose when selling a house, check out this article.
Who Do You Call For a Water Well Inspection?
Well inspectors are professional inspectors that specialize in inspecting wells. These professionals don’t, however, conduct well repairs because doing so could create a conflict of interest.
It isn’t unheard of for septic tank inspectors to also have certifications in well inspection. It is common for both of these systems to coexist on a property, so you might find that the same person who inspects your septic tank can also inspect your well.
Water quality testing might be offered for free at your local health department. That’s also a good place to look for a list of local inspectors that are able to provide in-depth well inspections.
Are you wondering what you need to know about selling a house with termites? Check out this guide.
Inspecting a Well: What It Entails
There are two parts to well inspections. A well inspector will both examine the equipment of the well in addition to testing the quality of the water.
As far as inspecting the equipment goes, the inspector will take a look at the well’s condition as well as the parts of the well. This includes the pump, storage tank, casing, vents, and cap. A visual check of screens, gaskets, seals, and overflows will also be done.
They will also make sure that your system, the area around the well, and the source of the well are compliant and up to code.
Well inspectors will keep an eye out for common problems that can lead to health issues. This includes low-pressure levels, rust on the pressure tank, cloudy water in the well pipes, and faulty gauges.
For the water test, your well inspector will take well water samples after physically inspecting the well. They will then send the samples to a state-certified lab. Harmful bacteria and microbes will be tested for as well as contaminants, toxic substances, and levels of other substances.
A report of your water test results will be provided once the lab has analyzed your samples. You will also receive a report from the inspector about their evaluation of the system.
In some places, you will be required to give this information to your local health department for their approval. You will have to take corrective action if it isn’t approved so that the safety of your water supply is ensured.
Well Maintenance Tips
Staying on top of inspections and maintenance is important if you want to avoid costly repairs to your well. You will also want to have your water tested every year for at least the following:
- Nitrates
- Coliform bacteria
- Dissolved solids
- pH
You will also want to run quality tests in addition to annual testing when:
- You replace well pipes, casing, or pumps
- You build a new well
- You notice an odd taste, smell, or staining
- You have a young child living in the home or a new baby on the way
- You’ve dug or drilled near the well
- There’s been a fuel spill or chemical or leak nearby
There are a number of different possible opportunities for contamination that you’ll want to keep an eye out for. These include:
- Chemicals stored near the well
- Breaks in the well cap seal
- Livestock pens or kennels near the well
There are a number of other guidelines you will want to follow to keep your well system functioning properly and safely. These are:
- Clear plants from the wellhead
- Make sure that the ground slopes away from the wellhead
- Don’t dispose of waste in the well
- Avoid using degreasers, pesticides, fertilizers, or any pollutants near your well
- Don’t use harsh chemicals in your septic system
- Pump and inspect your septic system regularly
- After a flood or other natural disaster, be sure to consult local experts
The cost of repairing a well can vary greatly depending on the work that needs to be done. The cost of replacing a well pump typically is between $200 and $800. The cost of repairing a well pump usually costs between $337 and $1418.
One of the more costly repairs that can be done is replacing the storage tank. This can cost anywhere between $800 and $3,800. As you can see, it is well worth the time and money to maintain and inspect your well regularly. Otherwise, the repairs you could be faced with could be much more costly.
Is It Time For You to Sell Your Home?
The process of buying and selling a home can be time-consuming and stressful. All of a sudden you’re asking questions you never even thought of before, such as “how much does a water well inspection cost?”
If you’re buying a property in the country, there’s a good chance you’ll have a private well rather than municipal water services. Many people prefer having a private well, but it’s worth learning about these systems and the maintenance they require so that you can keep everything running in good working order.
When it comes time to sell your home, there’s a good chance you’re dreading the whole process. However, selling your house doesn’t have to be a big headache anymore when you sell to an iBuyer.
Are you curious about how much an iBuyer would offer to pay for your house in cash? If so, check out our home value estimator here!
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