Should you rehabilitate your well or completely replace it? The answer isn’t as obvious as it may seem, because many times a well is salvageable even when it seems like a lost cause. Only a licensed, quality plumber can provide you with an estimate for each after an in-person consultation. Don’t rely on anyone who offers an estimate over the phone, and remember that regular “rehabilitation” or maintenance can drastically extend the life of the system.
Most well service specialists and plumbers consider “well rehabilitation” an ongoing need in order to extend the life of the well, and also to ensure the safety of your well water. Groundwater naturally has minerals and bacteria that can lead to plugging, and it might be something as simple as a blocked screen that’s giving you trouble. If you’re wondering, “Do I quality for well rehabilitation?” the answer may be yes and well replacement should only be considered in extreme cases.
Balancing the Budget
Well rehab costs depend entirely on the extent of the blockage, how long it’s been since the last rehabilitation, the age of the well and the presence of hard water. Rehabilitating a well can cost anywhere from under $100 to several thousand, so there’s no ballpark figure. However, considering that the average well pumps 1,000 gallons per minute (GPM) at optimal capacity and averages 650 GPM when not recently rehabbed, that’s a savings of $1.59 per minute.
It’s not just cost savings and better flow you’ll get with routine rehab. You might also be facing biological problems which can be dangerous. A complete diagnostic workup and rehab services are key in keeping you and your family healthy. There are many types of rehab options, including chemical, brushing, dual swabbing, jetting, Boreblast, Sonar Jet and Aqua Freed.
Choosing the Right Rehab or Going with a Replacement
Replacing a well is a costly endeavor that should only be considered when rehabilitation isn’t possible. Instead, working with a company that specializes in wells is the best way to determine the best rehab components and methods (for both cost and safety). Chemical rehab is a reliable method for tougher buildup, brushing is more of a pre-treatment approach that manually removes buildup and dual swabbing lets professionals put chemicals right where they need to be before agitating with swabbing.
Jetting is a high pressure approach, while Boreblast is even stronger at 3,500 psi (both can be combined with chemicals). Sonar Jet is a detonation cord that uses shock waves, and Aqua Freed is controlled liquid injection for the strongest energy production. A combination method may be best for your unique situation.
