Anyone have a Well? Is it an absolute headache over time?

[Anonymous]

Great house, we are first time buyers, seems like a great build but water is from a well. I had elderly relatives with a well in the 90s that would run brown from time to time. In 2023, what should I be considering that I may not be coming across online?

[Anonymous]

I have a well for my outdoor water at my beach house, so obviously a lower level of issue. It has worked very well for that purpose. We did have to redrill it a couple of years ago, which was around $10k.

The key thing to be aware of is that most wells operate on an electric pump so unless you have a generator, if the electricity goes out you don't have water. I know that has prompted people on wells in our beach community to put in generators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great house, we are first time buyers, seems like a great build but water is from a well. I had elderly relatives with a well in the 90s that would run brown from time to time. In 2023, what should I be considering that I may not be coming across online?

You need to speak with current residents in that specific area. Also, contact the county or other government entity which issues well permits for that area & ask questions. You can also contact well drilling companies who work in that area. OR you could share the specific area and hope that someone familiar with that area's well issues responds.

[Anonymous]

We have one. In 35 years we have done nothing to it or for it. We finally had to replace the pump ($550) this year.

[Anonymous]

The biggest negative for us has been no power = no water. This has happened several times for multiple days, once as long as almost two weeks but that was following a major hurricane. We have had to replace something a couple times but I don't recall it being super expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The biggest negative for us has been no power = no water. This has happened several times for multiple days, once as long as almost two weeks but that was following a major hurricane. We have had to replace something a couple times but I don't recall it being super expensive.

This is similar to us. We've been on a well for nearly 19 years (we're original homeowner) and the only time it's an issue has been when out of power. If we know a bad storm is coming we will fill a tub with water to have it for flushing toilets.

[Anonymous]

We're 5 years into owning a house w/ a well. So far it's been easy.
1) make sure you get it inspected separately from home inspection before you buy, we needed a new well cap only ($200, sellers paid)
2) we get someone out yearly to test the water for safety, just because I dont' want to do it. ($150)

[Anonymous]

I have no interest in a house with a well I'll pay more for city/county water and sewer.

I had a family member with a well that stunk of rotten eggs and they were never able to fix it. I realize they are not all like that but it will be one less thing to worry about.

[Anonymous]

We have been on well for a decade. No issues with smell, and luckily have only been without power for a few hours (here in MoCO!). In comparison our neighbors who are on WSSC have had issues for the past two years with passing water inspections.

We've had the well maintenance guys out once to fix our pump. The visit was less than $500.

[Anonymous]

We’re in a county with all well/septic, so no choice when moving here. No issues except when we lost power once (so far).

We do rent a whole house filtration system, which includes yearly maintenance. I have no clue how it works. DH adds some chemical and salt every once in a while, and that’s about all I know.

[Anonymous]

We have a well for drinking water and a different well for watering the lawn and stuff like that. So make sure you understand if you are on one source for everything.

As others have said; you need a generator really. We have a whole house generator and buried propane tank for it. If you have kids, or planning to it is really not optional to have well and not have backup power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no interest in a house with a well I'll pay more for city/county water and sewer.

I had a family member with a well that stunk of rotten eggs and they were never able to fix it. I realize they are not all like that but it will be one less thing to worry about.

I come from an area where no public water. This is really rare. To the point that while it would suck if it happened to you, it in all likelihood would not happen to you.

Calling a well drilling company that works in your area is the best advice. They put the wells in and have a good idea what works where.

[Anonymous]

Wells at both our houses -- no issues since we replaced one well pump (died after 28 years). Power doesn't go out here (we don't live in the DMV obvs).

Clear, clean water, but no fluoride. So augment if you have kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no interest in a house with a well I'll pay more for city/county water and sewer.

I had a family member with a well that stunk of rotten eggs and they were never able to fix it. I realize they are not all like that but it will be one less thing to worry about.

a) a little bleach will take care of the smell
b) you'd know about that before you bought it, presumably.

[Anonymous]

Just fyi, less than great quality well water can be corrected with softener/reverse osmosis system. Nothing wrong with that but make sure you know what the water is like without the systems and what if any corrective measures are being taken.