Water Well Drilling Information For Well Owners (FAQ’s)

We frequently receive calls from businesses and homeowners with questions concerning water well safety, well service or maintenance and new well construction.  Through the years we have compiled a list of some Frequently Asked Questions that our customers have inquired about.

Q: How should I choose a contractor to drill me a new well or service my existing water well system?
A: First and foremost, we strongly encourage everyone to do some research about a contractor before you hire them.  The best way is to talk to neighbors or friends who have a water well and determine if they can refer you to a qualified water well contractor.  In an industry as specialized as water well drilling, it is often best to consider experience and positive referrals above anything else because your water is one necessity that you don’t want to have to worry about.

Q: Is the water from my well safe to drink?
A: The majority of private water wells produce water that is completely safe to drink.  Although well water is typically safe to drink it is strongly recommended that you have your water tested annually by the local health department or an independent testing laboratory.

Q: How often should I replace my well pump?
A: The average life of a water well pump is between 10-12 years.  Some people opt to have their well pumps replaced every ten years to avoid the inconvienience of being without water for a period of time if their current well pumps stops working unexpectedly.

Q: How often should I replace my pressure tank?
A: The average life of a pressure tank is 10-12 years.  If you are experiencing lower than normal water pressure or it seems like the well pump is running more often than usual, you might need to have your pressure tank replaced.

Q: How much water does my well need to make to give me an adequate supply?
A: It is recommended that a private water well produce 8 or more gallons of water per minute to sustain a house or small business with enough water for daily usage.  If your well produces less than this amount you may experience intervals of no water.  If this is an often occurrence, some possible solutions would include drilling an additional well or adding water storage tanks to your system.

Q: Where should a new well be located?
A: The most important aspects that g into consideration when preparing to drill a new water well are the state and local distance requirements that need to be met.  A new water well must maintain certain distances from buildings and possible sources of contamination.  Once these distance requirements are satisfied, Ayers Well Drilling will work with our customers to determine an exact location for the new water well with an strong emphasis placed on accessability.

Q: My water from my well has a funny taste or smell.  Should I worry about getting sick?
A: Any time you notice a significant change in your water quality, you should have it tested. A change in your water's taste, color, or smell is not necessarily a health concern. However, a change could be a sign of a serious contamination problem.

Q: I have no water in my house, what should I do?
A: First check the power source (fuse box or breaker) to see if your well pump is getting the correct power.  If the power seems to be working and you still have no water, turn the power to your pump off and call us at 440-256-3622 to have us stop out immediately to fix the problem.