Key Takeaways
- Routine well pump maintenance prevents costly repairs and extends the lifespan of the equipment.
- Neglecting your well pump can lead to contaminated water, increased utility bills, and legal penalties.
- Property values can drop significantly when well systems are not properly maintained.
- Professional inspections and routine maintenance are crucial for maintaining health, ensuring safety, and maximizing home investment.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Increased Repair Expenses
- Shortened Equipment Lifespan
- Contaminated Water Supply
- Hidden Operational Costs
- Environmental and Legal Consequences
- Decreased Property Value
- Final Thoughts
Introduction
Homeowners often only think of their well pump when it’s malfunctioning. That’s understandable, however, your well pump is a key part of your water infrastructure supplying clean, on-demand water. By not thinking about your pump, it will eventually fail and therefore will be a concern. So, it’s a good idea to have a well pump installation (and scheduled service work for periodically), to have your needs of fresh water and peace of mind fulfilled and ongoing.
Preventative maintenance is not just a chore; it’s your first line of preventive measures in the case of to accountability neglecting items. The effects of inattention to longer-term effects go beyond surface issues to affecting your finances and property values.
Increased Repair Expenses
Issues as simple as sediment build up or seals being worn or not functioning can all get worse if not addressed in a timely manner. An easy repair, which may seem small and inexpensive, can turn into a massive repair when it transitions to system failure during service on demand (when emergencies always seem to happen). From experience and industry data, unexpected system failures can run between $500 to $2,500; typical preventative service bill to maintain the systems through regular service will typically run from $150 to $300. To put all of this in context as I build on the well systems emphasis, while writing this I came across a Better Homes & Gardens article that outlined well systems maintenance and repair as an “insurance policy” for the home owner to avoid being bleeded dry by repair and maintenance, loss of access to water etc.
Also, to defer service means returning to backup water sources or no water; this also creates concern and money when all you need is to minimize downtime during times of peak use.
Shortened Equipment Lifespan
Depending on how you take care of your well pump, you can reasonably expect a lifespan of 10-15 years. If you do not maintain the pump regularly, then you can expect that length of time to be cut short. Maintenance is relatively simple, such as checking the pressure switches, cleaning the intake screens, and making sure everything is calibrated correctly, but it will add years to the life of your pump. If those tasks are not performed, then you may find yourself prematurely replacing the pump or other components, which will only incur more expense. Full system replacements for a well pump usually costs between $2,000 to $5,000, and this includes the cost of a new pump, pressure tank, pressure switch, piping, electrical work, and more. Routine inspections of your well will always be the best way to increase the useful life of your well and avoid failures.
Contaminated Water Supply
One of the biggest concerns of poorly maintained or abandoned well systems is poor water quality. Oregonians learned this in a very hard way during the 2022 groundwater contamination crisis that led to a number of local health advisories. Unmaintained wells could eventually expose people to harmful bacterial infection and toxic accumulation as a result of inaction. Regular maintenance and well pump installation Raleigh services help ensure that private wells remain safe, functional, and compliant with modern water safety standards. Annual water quality testing (costing around $100–250) allows for the identification of harmful contaminants before they impact the health and safety of the occupants of the household; clean, potable water year-round is something that everyone should be guaranteed.
Best practices in terms of modern well management proactively state to have even more frequent water quality checks for children and older adults, especially related to drinking and bathing, or for those who reside in close proximity to agricultural or industrial processes, as instructed in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Resources for Well Owners.
Hidden Operational Costs
One of the foremost worries with neglected or abandoned well systems is the risk of compromised water quality. Oregonians faced this consequence during the 2022 groundwater contamination crisis that resulted in numerous local health advisories. When wells are not actively managed, a well can put individuals at risk of exposure to airborne bacteria and the accumulation of toxic substances, or may even be exposure that is not recognized. A yearly water quality assessment, which typically costs between $100-$250, can be used to identify harmful treatments or emerging contaminants before someone’s health and safety is impacted. Enough cannot be said in support of the idea every household deserves a plentiful supply of clean, potable water throughout the year.
According to best practices for modern well management, even more frequent water quality assessments should be performed for children and older adults, with even greater emphasis for drinking water or bathing in close proximity to agricultural or other industrial processes, offered in Resources for Well Owners from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Environmental and Legal Consequences
Poorly maintained private wells pose the risk of a crack or leak which can allow contaminated water to escape into the groundwater or adjacent water source. In many states, and their environmental laws, serious penalties are put into place for this type of occurrence, and often there would be violations. One such example is of a homeowner in Oregon, who was punished with a $10,000 environmental penalty when their well system, which they didn’t care for properly, allowed harmful bacteria into a tributary. A preventative inspection and repair can not only prevent environmental damages, but is also a good way for a homeowner to avoid compliance headaches, penalty fees, and or clean up actions.
Decreased Property Value
Prospective buyers perceive a poorly maintained well as a warning sign indicating hidden issues and potential expenses. Research conducted by various online real estate service businesses indicate that properties with a well service history document receive a higher asking price, sometimes 10-15% more. Regular check-ups, labeling your water quality as certified, and showing that your water system is well cared for will help build buyer confidence in choosing to purchase your home, find the value of your property, and how quickly your property may sell.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your well pump in a good work condition and longer lifespan is not just a good idea, it’s a way to protect your health, your money, and the value of your investment over time. Some of the potential risks include emergency expenses, costly repairs, compromised drinking water services, and even possible legal challenges of using an unsafe water service, and the benefits of annual care are clear. Being proactive in maintenance will involve some preparation: an annual system inspection by a qualified professional who can guide you, and annual water testing to ensure that your system is functioning as preferred, and after other costs are accounted for, you are left with some peace of mind for the health of your family, property, and investment, and overall costs.