When should a well be tested?
The most common reason well systems are tested is for real estate transactions. Well systems are also tested to gain knowledge regarding pump health, the well’s health & pump size should repairs or replacements need to be made.
How often should I test my water quality?
Water quality is routinely a requirement of home sales in the Pacific Northwest. While this is not always the case, for personal knowledge, you can always get your water tested upon acquisition of a new property or after drilling a new well.
Information found about the contents of your water could provide peace of mind and/or help us lead you towards water treatment methods.
How long will my Well Pump last?
With ideal conditions a well pump should last about 12-25 years. We have seen pumps last as long as 50yrs but those are the long lived outliers. If conditions are poor pumps can last just a few months to a couple of years. We will list out below factors that will negatively influence the life span of your pumping system.
- Sediment or debris in the water, this can include sand, flakes of metal or plastic.
- A pressure tank that is improperly charged, or has a ruptured tank bladder, causing the pump to cycle to rapidly. ( pump cycles should be no more frequent than two minutes apart for 1hp or smaller motors )
- Low voltage, this can be caused by improper wire sizing or transformer failures.
- Failing motor controllers, today’s low horsepower controllers are made to be replaced as units, while it is possible to order components for them its best to start with completely new units when replacing them. If a start capacitor fails it can cause the pump to pull higher amps for longer when starting, this will increase the amount of heat in the motor unit which will lead to insulation failures sooner than anticipated.
How long will it take for me to get my well report back from my well test?
The report will be emailed to you in 1-3 Business Days.
Is my well a “drilled well” or a “dug well?”
The easiest way to know if your well is “dug” or “drilled” is by looking at the size. A dug well generally has a large opening and most likely has a cover placed over it to prevent humans, and other creatures/items from falling down the well.
A drilled well, will look like a pipe protruding out of the ground.
Does my property have more than one well?
Some properties do have more than one well. Sometimes the production of a single well is not enough to meet the needs of the property and/or owner. If this is the case, sometimes multiple wells are drilled and/or dug in order to increase water availability.
If your property has more than one well head, it might have more than one well. Multiple well heads could also be an indication of failed and/or abandoned wells located on the property. Looking under the well cap will indicate whether or not a pump is present in the well or not.
Can I provide my own generator for a generator test?
Fill out our intake form here and our technician can discuss if your generator is of sufficient size to power our equipment.
I’d like to be present while you’re performing my well test, can I meet you there?
Clients are always welcome to come to a job site to see and learn about their well system. We just ask that you be contentious of your technicians time and show up to your appointments promptly.