Well Flow Testing

Whenever you're purchasing a home you want to be sure that the existing well will meet and keep up with the needs of your family. Lending institutions will also want to make sure the well meets their requirements prior to financing the property.

When purchasing a new home, part of your home inspection process is to determine if the well that supplies the system meets the bank financing requirements. With many mortgages this means you need the well to produce three gallons per minute for two hours, or five gallons per minute for four hours.

While some home inspectors may include this in their services, it is a good idea to reach out to a licensed well contractor for assistance. In many instances we are able to give you significantly more insight into the well system that a home inspector will be able to do. During our well inspections, we look for the following:

• Properly sealed well head
• Starting well static (this is the depth to water from ground level)
• Start flow rate test at the desired flow rate
• Collect the bacteria sample set required for that specific mortgage
• While flow test is in progress, measure the amperage on the pump system to determine that the pump is running correctly.
• Visually inspect the pressure tank and tank tee fittings to gauge whether the tank is potentially waterlogged or rusted which may require replacement.
• Check that the system appears to be running correctly and pressurizing the lines. You don’t want to find out that the underground or down the well waterline has a leak once you move into your new home.
• Once the flow test is complete, measure the ending static (the depth to water from ground level after the well has pumped the duration of the flow test).
• Properly re-seal the well cap, or replace the well cap with a sanitary sealed top, if needed.

When performing a flow rate test, Hanson Well Drilling & Pump Co Inc runs the water through a hose and meter so we can calculate exactly how much water the well pumped during the test rather than to “guesstimate” as is often the case during home inspections. For a FREE estimate, call (518) 477-4127 or fill out our online form.