BUYING A HOME WITH A WELL?

Alcorn Pump & Filtration strongly advises any homeowner who is purchasing a home on a well that you get a certified well inspection prior to the close of the sale. Work with your realtor to get permission from the seller to conduct a full test (see below).

To properly conduct a well inspection you need to be a licenced electrician and plumber within the pump industry.  A home inspector is not qualified to assess the full pumping system, water quality and other potentially costly concerns.

Well Inspections will vary based on set up but should include:

• Ground fault checks   

• Checks on the full pumping system 

• Flow rate checks on GPM

• Check on the plumbing of the pumping system

• Check all the electrical

• Check to see if electrical and plumbing is safe and up to code

• Check the age of the pumping system 

• Check the pressure tank and or tanks

• Look for bacteria inducing agents 

• Check the condition of the well seal/cap

• Look  for good access to the wellhead

• Conduct mineral water testing for Hardness, TDS, PH, Iron, manganese

• We can also take water samples for other contaminants required by your county and take them to a certified lab for testing.
   

FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS:

If you are representing a buyer or seller on a home with a private well, community well or water sources other than the city water, it is important to know the following: 

• Different types of home loans can require different types of water testing and well testing. Some may and or may not require a well inspection.

• Each county has differing requirements for water testing. Know the specifics for your home sale and plan ahead.

• Water samples can take up to 10-14 days (sometimes longer) to receive back from the lab.

• If a water sample comes back failed from the lab, the source will need to be addressed and a new sample taken sent to the lab.  This could take a couple more weeks, depending on the problem.

• A proper well inspection needs to be conducted by a licensed electrician and plumber in the well industry. A home inspection does not include this.

• Ensure you use a licensed pump company for well inspections to ensure the correct information and recommendations on the pumping system are listed. This protects both the buyer, the seller and the agent.

• If the buyer wants a well inspection, we will need permission from the seller to be on site and inspect their well and water.

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We conduct the following inspections and services:

• Well inspections for real estate transactions

• Certified reports for lenders

• VA Loan requirements for home sales/purchase

• Flow rate testing for wells

• Drawdown testing for wells for ADUs or additional building on the system

• County required water samples for Pierce, King, Kitsap, Thurston, and Snohomish counties

Have questions? Contact us, we'll be happy to help.