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

[Anonymous]

You need to worry about whether the well water is polluted. I would ask to test it as part of the inspection. It might also become polluted once you own it.

For example, a gas station or industrial operations could have a spill, which could get into water supply underneath their location and travel to your land.

That would be my main concern.

[Anonymous]

Not much is more headache free than a well.

[Anonymous]

Odds are if it has a well then it has septic, too. Those are more difficult to manage than a well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Odds are if it has a well then it has septic, too. Those are more difficult to manage than a well.

We have well and septic at our second home. We had to replace our old septic system (about 50k for 4BR 6 years ago) and the modern systems are not too bad compared to the older ones. HOWEVER - as previously posted...well and/or septic you HAVE to have back up power system or both can cause serious, serious problems without electricity.

So for OP - you need to factor in (ideally) a serious back up power system (around 15-20k) into your purchase price.

[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 the same of us. Well is pretty easy to maintain. Most of our neighbors have generators. We just haven’t gotten one yet.

[Anonymous]

You definitely need backup power so you can have water during a power outage.

[Anonymous]

The county tests the water at your request for free if you have a well (at least in VA). We have never had a problem. We used to have a water softener but stopped using it years ago. No adverse effects.

[Anonymous]

We have a well in a 20 year old house, in a fairly populated area next to a major road and a gas station. I was very reluctant to purchase the house for this reason. So far there have been no issues.

[Anonymous]

We have well/septic now and had it in our last house too. It’s been pretty stress free, but does require a little extra thought. We had to replace a well pump ($600), need to get the septic pumped every few years ($300-$400). We have a water softener too and have to put salt in it every few months - not very expensive and it keeps the water from staining everything, just another thing to keep track of.

And yes, definitely a generator if your area is prone to power outages. We went through one major storm without a generator, and never again.

[Anonymous]

We had a well growing up. One other point is that since well water isn't treated with flouride (as most public water systems are), you may gave to get supplemental treatments with your dentist, particularly if you have children. Not a big deal, just something to be aware of.

[Anonymous]

We have had a well on our vacation home for 33 years. You have to get it inspected separately from the home inspection. We have a softener system which makes the water better. It is a PITA when the power goes out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

liar....well pump does not cost $550 and there is ongoing maintenance....treatment, filters, softening, etc.

[Anonymous]

NO!!! to well water..septic is OK as the home you are considering likely on septic also. BTDT

[Anonymous]

Avoid both well and septic unless you absloutly love the home. Both can be problematic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

liar....well pump does not cost $550 and there is ongoing maintenance....treatment, filters, softening, etc.

Liar - check home depot - it was actually $485 but we bought a few additional clips etc.
We do not use a water softener. We actually had that removed.
We have our water tested each year - no filters or treatment are required.
If you don't have a well - shut up.