An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended.
IS MY WELL JUST OLD? Another problem can be well age. A well's lifespan is considered to be roughly 20 to 30 years.
A well is considered 'abandoned' or permanently inactive if it has not been used for one year, unless the owner demonstrates intention to use the well again.
The tanks should be flushed semi-annually to remove accumulated sediments by opening the tank drain valve. These sediments could harbor and shield harmful microbes from chlorination should the well and home plumbing system require disinfection.
Check the wellhead (the part of the well that's above ground) and the well cap (the part that covers the wellhead) several times a year. Look at the wellhead casing and cap for any cracks or openings that shouldn't be there. The cap keeps rainwater, insects, and small animals from getting into the well.
Lifespan of a Well Pressure Tank
A well-maintained pressure tank typically lasts around 15 years. However, this can vary based on the quality of the tank, water quality in your area, and maintenance practices. Regular inspections and addressing any issues promptly can significantly extend the life of your tank.
Unused wells that have not been properly sealed can be a source of groundwater contamination, potentially affecting nearby drinking water wells. They many threaten the quality of the water in city water wells, your neighbor's well, or even your own well.
A well is said to have gone dry when water levels drop below a pump intake. This does not mean that a dry well will never have water in it again, as the water level may come back through time as recharge increases.
The average cost to replace a well pump is $1,889, but most spend between $974 to $2,813 depending on the pump size you need.
The answer is yes – It's very possible to bring unused water wells back to life! Often restoring them to full working order isn't as difficult as you might think.
How Much Does a Well Inspection Cost? An average well inspection ranges from $300 to $500. This depends on the inspector's rates as well as the type of water tests they intend to conduct to check water quality. It also depends on whether they provide a septic inspection as well.
For most homeowners, well pump repairs cost between $373 and $1,620 with an average cost of $972. Basic parts for common well repairs cost $25 to $100, not including labor, but can get as high as $500. About half of your budget will go toward labor at around $50 per hour, with a minimum house call fee of $100 to $150.
Like most homeowners, you're likely concerned about your overall property value. Adding a well can increase your property value as many potential homebuyers would be attracted to the ability to control their water source.
Some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your county first. If they don't, use this EPA website to find a list of state-certified laboratories in your area that do water testing, or contact your county or state health department or your State Certification Officer for assistance.
If your well is or may be contaminated with harmful germs or chemicals, do not drink the water. Contact your health department for specific advice. Drink bottled water or water from another safe source until you have treated and tested your well water.
1. Does the home have a drilled well, and if so, when was it drilled? The average lifespan for a well is 30–50 years.
Natural Salts and Minerals. It should go without saying that, because well water comes from underground supplies, it is rich in many different minerals, including natural salts, calcium, iron and other minerals that will build up on the system. As minerals and salts build up, they obstruct the entire system gradually.
The geology that hosts our groundwater systems is quite complicated. Sometimes you are indeed drawing from the same aquifer as your neighbor. If their well is significantly deeper than yours, and they draw on it, they can produce a cone of depression that will pull the water table down below the bottom of your well.
Replacing a well pressure tank costs $500 on average, but it can cost between $300 and $700, depending on the tank's size, capacity, and labor costs for professional installation.
30 years is a possibility, but it is at the far end of the range for pump lifespan. Anecdotally when I chat with customers who are looking to replace a well pump, less than 10 percent will have pumps older than 25 years. In my experience most are looking to replace pumps around the 10-15 year range.
Poor Water Pressure
Another clear sign that you may need a new pressure tank is when you observe irregular or weak water pressure. A common symptom is when the water flow in showers or faucets spikes momentarily before diminishing. Too little or too much air in your tank can cause this fluctuation.