The EPA reports that more than 23 million Americans rely on wells for their home’s water. Because these properties aren’t on water systems managed or maintained by local government agencies, extra testing is required to insure there is sufficient supply and pressure for laundry, washing dishes, nightly bubble baths, cooking, or drinking. Vancouver-based home inspectors from Details Home Inspections offer well flow testing throughout Southwest Washington, the greater Portland area, and beyond.

Their simplified well system inspections and well flow tests are non-invasive processes which don’t require taking things apart or complicated, muddy maneuvering. Inspector Brian Ross explains that both are designed to estimate the amount of water you’ll see coming through internal fixtures like sinks and showers. There are minimum requirements for this flow rate and results are important, for example, to buyers looking for their first, next, or forever home.

Avid watchers of HGTV have seen many house hunters test the pressure in kitchens and bathrooms. Water isn’t just pumped from point A to point B; it travels through an unseen maze before reaching you. If, at any point along the way, there are trouble spots, it’s important to know about them quickly so costly repairs—and lengthy dry spells—are avoided.

“Production is affected by the well, water pump, water tank, pump controls, supply piping, height of the building, strainers, and the condition of the fixtures,” says Ross. After their initial inspection, homeowners can decide if additional testing is needed by a specialist.

During the well flow test, the team estimates flow-rate capacity of your home’s system. This documents the ability of your well pump to adequately do its job. “However,” says Ross, “this estimate is impacted by a number of variables, such as the size/type of fixtures, strainers, faucets, pipe diameters, pipe clogs, the buildings distribution piping and the pump size, pressure tank, and water storage tank.”

Well flow testing does not include water quality testing but Details Home Inspections does offer that service. Remember, says Ross, “in most counties when you buy or sell a home with a private well, the county health or planning department, or the lending institution involved, may require the seller to provide water-sampling results to show the water is safe to drink.”

Lenders and realtors may instigate or ask for testing as part of the home buying process. Industry experts say that “Getting a well inspection before you purchase a home can save you a lot of time, energy, and money. For instance, if you discover a well needs expensive repairs or the water isn’t safe to drink or use, you may want to reconsider your purchase. Or you could negotiate a lower deal with the seller.”

For buyers, the experts advise that “you’ll likely only have to worry about a well inspection if you’re purchasing a home in a more rural area. Many rural homes aren’t connected to public water services. This means should anything go wrong, you won’t receive help from the city. You’re on your own for any repairs or added filtration systems.”

When you’re ready to know your flow, schedule an appointment with Details Home Inspections online, call 360.823.3034, or submit your questions and someone from the team will get back to you ASAP. Don’t wait until components fail or you could find yourself washing dishes with a trickle or showering drop by drop. Our homes are a vital supply of water. Laundry, dishes, sticky kids, stinky pets, cold drinks, and happy goldfish are just a drop in the bucket. Let Details Home Inspections keep your water flowing.

Water flow testing is done prior to home purchases. If you are considering purchasing a property that has a private well, you should have a flow test done to make sure the water supply can handle your family's water consumption needs. Keep in mind that the average person uses 80-100 gallons of water daily, so you would need to multiply that by the number of people in your household. Usually Lenders require minimum 3 gallons per minute.

Most lenders will require a 2+ hour well flow test and water quality test on home purchases with a private well. Well water quality testing, tests for Ecoli, Total Coliform, Arsenic, and Nitrates are done via a local lab.

Details Home Inspections offers both services that can be added to a Home Inspection or a standalone service.