What is the difference between a standard system and a constant pressure system?
The “short and sweet” answer is: if you have a large family (or use a lot of water) or have a lawn sprinkling system, constant pressure systems are nice to have. Although they are a little more expensive, they are more energy efficient and you won’t experience a drop in your water pressure when you are using multiple sources of water at one time like you would with a standard system. Additionally, smaller and lighter tanks can be used, which can help to save space.
Click here to see a visual demonstration of the difference.
How long does it take to drill a new well?
In a perfect world, once the permit is received, we are typically able to finish a well in less than a week. This includes drilling, hooking up, and testing the water. However, we cannot guarantee this, especially during the summer (our busy season).
It is recommended that the permit is applied for at least a month in advance (except in the case of emergency situations, in which there is an expedited process). We typically recommend having the well drilling company apply for the permit on your behalf, as they will be able to help you determine the ideal location for the new well.
What factors determine the cost of a new well?
The largest factor in determining the cost of a new well is the well depth. This can be tricky, because we will not know the actual well depth of a new well until we drill it. We rely on information on other wells in the area to estimate the depth of a new well.
Other factors that can affect the cost of a well include:
- the type of system (standard or constant pressure)
- the size of tank and horse-power of the pump (we can help you make the best decision for your well)
- the distance of the well from the house
What should I do to maintain my well?
Newer wells are fairly maintenance free for many years. If you start to notice issues with your well (the pump running a lot, your breaker frequently tripping, a change in the quality of the water, etc), then we recommend you have your well looked at. We offer complete well inspections, and we recommend this to be done at least every 5 years. Regular well inspections are encouraged as it allows us to fix small issues before they become big problems and cost you money.
You should also protect the top of the casing from physical damage (vehicles, lawnmowers, snow plows, etc) and keep chemical contaminants (paint, gasoline, etc) as far from the well as possible. Additional information can be found at www.wellowner.org or click here to be directed to the site. This fabulous website is hosted by the National Ground Water Association and contains an array of useful information.
When does a well need to be abandoned?
Wells that are no longer being used (due to a replacement well or a conversion to city water) must be properly abandoned. Open and unused / unprotected wells can act as a gateway for contaminants to reach groundwater, and potentially contaminate other wells. Give us a call if you need assistance!
Why are your tanks so much more expensive than the ones I can get at a home-goods store?
There are a few reasons. First, the bladder in the tank is made with neoprene rubber; at home-goods stores, they use recycled rubber. In addition, the pressure tanks sold by well drilling companies as a whole have better, and more durable parts. Unlike the tanks you purchase at many home-goods stores, we offer a 5-year replacement warranty on all of our Challenger pressure tanks, and a -year warranty on our Well X-Trol pressure tanks.