Well Maintenance Schedule

Why does a well need a schedule?

Out of sight does not mean out of trouble. Pumps wear, seals crack, tanks lose their air charge and surrounding land use changes. A simple routine lets you spot those changes early and gives a contractor useful history when something does break.

No single schedule fits every system. Age, depth, equipment and local conditions all matter, so use this article as a framework and ask a licensed well professional what timing suits your setup.

What can I check myself each season?

Walk to the wellhead and look. The cap should be secure, the casing should show no cracks and the ground should slope away so water drains off. Check that nothing is stored or spilled nearby and that no vehicle has damaged the area.

Inside, listen to the pump and pressure tank. Notice how often the pump starts and how pressure feels. Look for leaks, damp spots, rust or corrosion around fittings. Do not open a pressure tank or touch wiring.

Notice changes after heavy water use, such as irrigation or filling a large tank. A well that runs low when demand is high may be telling you something about water level or pump condition, and a professional can measure it.

• Cap secure and casing undamaged
• Ground sloping away from the well
• No stored chemicals or fuel nearby
• No new leaks, drips or damp patches
• Pump cycling normally

What should a professional inspect?

Ask a licensed well or pump contractor to inspect the system when you move in and then on a schedule they recommend. They can check the pump, electrical parts, pressure switch, tank and the well itself, and test flow in a way you cannot at home.

Before the visit, write down anything unusual you have noticed, such as noises, pressure changes or changes in water quality. Ask for a written report and keep it with your records.

How often should I test the water?

Your county health department or state drinking water program can give a testing schedule for your area. Many suggest at least regular testing for bacteria and nitrate, with other tests depending on local conditions. Also test after flooding, repairs or any change in the water.

Choose a calendar month that you will remember, such as one tied to another seasonal chore, and test then each time.

If your area has a history of contamination, ask the health office about extra testing. Nearby land use, such as feedlots, old dumps, fuel storage or heavy fertilizer use, may justify testing for more than the basics.

What should I do before winter and after storms?

Before cold weather, check exposed pipes, pump house insulation and heat sources. A frozen line or pump house can cut off water at the worst time. After a flood, a lightning strike or a long power outage, check the well and the water before relying on it.

After a flood, do not drink the water until a test says it is safe and your health office advises. Ask them about disinfecting and retesting. Never run equipment that was under water without having it checked.

• Insulate exposed pipes and the pump house
• Keep a backup supply of drinking water
• After flooding, have the water tested before use

What records are worth keeping?

Keep a folder or notebook with the well log if you have one, installation dates, test reports, repair invoices, pump and tank model numbers and the names of contractors. It does not have to be fancy.

These records help every future repair, show a buyer you cared for the property, and make it easier to notice patterns such as a pump that fails every few years or a mineral level that is slowly rising.

What belongs in a yearly checkup list?

Write a one page list and tape it near the pressure tank. Include the date of the last water test, the last professional inspection, the pump and tank models, who installed the system and the phone numbers you would need in an emergency.

Add seasonal reminders: check the cap in spring after thaw, review water use during summer dry spells, look at insulation in fall and test pipe protection before the first hard freeze.

A single page that everyone in the household can find is also useful if you are away or if someone else must handle a failure.

• Spring: look at the wellhead after thaw and heavy rain
• Summer: watch for dropping water level in dry spells
• Fall: insulate and prepare for cold
• Winter: protect lines and keep a backup supply

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.