Your dream has come true, and you’ve found your dream home.

You’re ready to sign the papers, but there’s a hitch that concerns you.

The home uses well water, and you’re not sure if you can handle the responsibility. 

Don’t worry. When buying a home with a well, you need to have a basic checklist for your well.

This will ensure you’re drinking clean, safe water every time you turn on the tap.

Once you get used to the checklist, you’ll feel confident in your dream home and ready to enjoy everything it has to offer.

By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll know everything you need to do for this checklist. 

Annual Checks

Basic well maintenance means checking the well annually for basic elements: 

  • Mechanical problems
  • Cleanliness
  • Presence of contaminants

A well-maintenance company will know exactly how to check the well pump as well as how to test the water for coliform bacteria, nitrates, or other potential local contaminants. 

Incidental Checks

If you have recurring incidents of gastrointestinal illness such as vomiting or diarrhea, begin by changing your water source.

Go to bottled water for a month and see if the incidents decrease. If they do, call in an expert for a well water test

You should also have your water tested if you begin to notice a change in odor, taste, or appearance of the well water. 

Be Aware of Hazardous Materials

Whenever you use hazardous materials like fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil, or paint, keep them away from your well.

Do not use them on the soil near your well either lest they leach into the system. 

If you’re mixing chemicals, keep your hose out of the mixing container.

When you submerge your hose in chemicals, the hose can siphon the chemicals into your water system. 

Check the Cover

Check the cover of your well or your well cap regularly.

The top of your well should be at least a foot above your ground.

Make sure the cover doesn’t have any cracks or holes. 

Whenever you have a serious storm with storm damage, check your well cover immediately. 

Take Note of Age

Water wells have a life span.

If your well is more than 20 years old, have a certified or licensed driller decommission the well.

They should then dig a new well.

This will ensure that you have safe, drinkable water and that you won’t end up with a collapsed or compromised well down the road. 

Confidently Buying a Home With a Well

When buying a home with a well, know how to maintain your well.

This means being aware of the chemicals you use on your property and also checking all the parts of your well. 

If you’re still hesitant, have a well maintenance company check your well every six months.

This will ensure the pumps are running properly and you have clean water. 

Are you looking for a well maintenance technician?

If so, contact us. Our credible, down-to-earth technicians will service your well quickly and make sure you have safe water in your new home. 


If you are buying a home with a well, it’s important to make sure your residential well is properly maintained. The team at Empire Pump and Pump It Up can help. Since 1946, our company has been helping Arizona residents ensure their wells and well pumps are protected and running at their peak! Give our team a call today at (623) 582-5069 or request well services online.

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