By SCWS Team
Published February 17, 2026 · 12 min read
Your water well is probably the most overlooked major system in your home. While you'd never skip an oil change or ignore your HVAC system, many well owners go years without maintenance—until something fails. A few hours of attention each year can prevent thousands in emergency repairs.
This complete checklist breaks down well maintenance into manageable tasks: monthly monitoring you can do yourself, seasonal checks, and annual professional service. Follow this guide to keep your well producing clean, reliable water for decades.
Monthly Homeowner Tasks
These quick checks take just a few minutes and help you catch problems early:
✓ Monthly Checklist
- Monitor water pressure: Note your normal pressure (check gauge on tank). Gradual decline may indicate pump wear or dropping water level.
- Listen to pump cycling: Count how often the pump turns on during normal use. Frequent cycling (more than every few minutes) indicates pressure tank problems.
- Check for unusual sounds: Grinding, screaming, or excessive humming from the pump or tank area.
- Observe water clarity: Note any cloudiness, particles, or color changes.
- Check for odors: Rotten egg smell (sulfur), musty odors, or chemical smells.
- Monitor electricity usage: Sudden increases may indicate a struggling pump.
Seasonal Maintenance
Spring Tasks
- Inspect wellhead after winter: Check for frost heave, cracks, or damage
- Check well cap and seal: Ensure tight fit, no gaps, vermin-proof
- Clear debris: Remove leaves, mulch, or dirt from around wellhead
- Check drainage: Ensure ground slopes away from well
- Schedule water testing: Best time for annual bacteria test
- Inspect pressure tank: Check for rust, sweating, or damage
Summer Tasks
- Monitor water level/pressure: Drought can lower water tables
- Control vegetation: Keep plants and roots away from wellhead
- Check irrigation system: Backflow preventers protect well from contamination
- Inspect for insects: Ensure no entry points for ants or wasps
Fall Tasks
- Schedule annual inspection: Best time before winter
- Check heating system (if applicable): For wellhouses or heated pump areas
- Inspect electrical connections: Look for corrosion or wear
- Clear fallen leaves: Keep wellhead area clean
- Winterize irrigation: Prevent backflow contamination
Winter Tasks (California)
- Monitor during freezes: Even in SoCal, hard freezes occur in mountain areas
- Check for storm damage: After heavy rains, inspect wellhead
- Post-rain water quality check: Watch for changes after storms
Annual Professional Inspection
Once a year, have a licensed well contractor perform a comprehensive inspection:
Professional Inspection Checklist
Pump & Motor
- • Measure flow rate (GPM)
- • Check amp draw vs. specifications
- • Verify proper operation
- • Inspect control box
- • Test pressure switch
Pressure Tank
- • Check air charge
- • Inspect for waterlogging
- • Test pressure settings
- • Look for rust/corrosion
- • Check tank age/condition
Wellhead
- • Inspect cap and seal
- • Check casing condition
- • Verify sanitary seal
- • Evaluate grading
- • Note potential hazards
Electrical
- • Check all connections
- • Test ground
- • Inspect wiring condition
- • Verify breaker sizing
- • Check surge protection
Water Testing Schedule
| Test | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria (coliform/E. coli) | Annually | $20-50 |
| Nitrates | Annually (if near agriculture) | $15-30 |
| Basic minerals/hardness | Every 3-5 years | $50-100 |
| Comprehensive panel | Every 3-5 years | $150-300 |
| Arsenic/uranium (if in area) | Every 3-5 years | $30-60 each |
Pressure Tank Maintenance
The pressure tank is crucial for pump longevity. A failing tank causes rapid pump cycling that dramatically shortens pump life:
- Check air charge annually: Should be 2 psi below cut-in pressure (e.g., 28 psi for 30/50 system)
- Signs of waterlogging: Frequent pump cycling, low air pressure, tank feels heavy when tapped at bottom
- Bladder tanks: Bladders can rupture; indicated by water at air valve
- Typical lifespan: 10-15 years for quality bladder tanks
See our complete pressure tank maintenance guide for detailed instructions.
Wellhead Area Maintenance
The area around your well is your first line of defense against contamination:
- Maintain 100-foot clearance: No pesticides, fertilizers, fuel, or chemicals
- Keep septic systems distant: At least 50-100 feet, depending on local codes
- Grade away from well: Surface water should drain away
- Control vegetation: Deep roots can damage casing; keep plants back
- Secure the area: Prevent vehicle traffic over well location
Record Keeping
Maintain a well maintenance log with:
- Original well completion report and specifications
- All water test results (with dates)
- Maintenance and repair records
- Pump installation/replacement dates
- Normal operating parameters (pressure, flow rate)
- Contact information for your well service company
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a well be serviced?
Wells should receive a professional inspection annually, with homeowners performing basic checks monthly. Annual professional service should include water quality testing, pump performance evaluation, pressure tank inspection, electrical connections check, and wellhead examination.
How much does annual well maintenance cost?
Annual professional well inspection typically costs $100-300. Water testing adds $50-250 depending on parameters tested. Budget $200-400 annually for routine maintenance and testing. This prevents expensive emergency repairs—pump replacements can cost $1,500-4,000+.
What are signs my well needs maintenance?
Warning signs include: changes in water pressure, pump running constantly or cycling frequently, unusual sounds, changes in water quality, higher electricity bills, air sputtering from faucets, and visible damage to wellhead components.
Can I do well maintenance myself?
Homeowners can safely handle visual wellhead inspection, monitoring pressure and pump cycling, checking pressure tank air charge, clearing vegetation, and testing water with lab kits. Leave electrical work, pump pulling, and well sanitization to professionals.
Schedule Your Annual Well Inspection
Don't wait for a problem to become an emergency. Southern California Well Service provides comprehensive well inspections throughout San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Call (760) 463-0493