1. What is the difference between a drilled well and a driven point well?
2. How deep will my well be?
3. What guarantees are there for quality and quantity of water?
4. Will I need to have a water conditioning system?
5. Where should I locate my well?
6. What size pump and pressure tank will I need?
7. What kind of warranties can I expect on my well system?
8. Diagram of a drilled well with submersible pump.

1. What is the difference between a drilled well and a driven point well?

A drilled well is usually 6 inches in diameter, has more longevity, will add more to the value of the property, can go deeper to achieve better capacity and quality water, the pump is submersed in the well (less noisy) and does not need to be primed, and is easier to hook up to the pressure tank and to winterize. A driven point well is usually 2 inches or 1-1/4 inches, can be driven in areas where accessibility is a problem, and costs less than a drilled well. When deciding which to install, a homeowner should take into account the types of usage of the well, including how often it will be used. We install both 6" drilled and 2" driven wells and can help you with your decision.

2. How deep will my well be?

Well depth can vary greatly in any area. In Wisconsin, it must be at least 25 feet deep; generally most wells are 50 feet or more. A driller cannot guarantee the depth of a well in advance. Due to unknown underground formations, you may have widely varying well depths in the same neighborhood. Richardson Well Drilling has been in the business for many years and drilled in many different areas of the northwoods. Although we cannot predict in advance the depth of a well in any given area, our experience is helpful in estimating for a new well.

3. What guarantees are there for quality and quantity of water?

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in the well drilling business. There are generalities common to areas, but even then there can be exceptions. Not all underground sources carry the same filtered water. Therefore, you may experience different conditions than your neighbor down the road. Most wells produce an adequate amount of water for a home. There are measures that a driller can take if your needs are above normal and/or the well drilled produces less water than recommended. A well's productivity is measured in gallons per minute(gpm), and we recommend at least 5 gpm. Our experienced crew determines at the time of drilling if the well will meet those needs and can adjust accordingly while keeping the customer informed of any problems or additional expense that may occur.

4. Will I need to have a water conditioning system?

The most common complaint in the northwoods is iron in the water. It is measured in parts per million (ppm) and can cause your water to be discolored and odorous. Most wells have a low iron content below 1 ppm, but some can be at a level that may require treatment. While iron in the water is not considered hazardous to your health (iron is actually essential for good health because it transports oxygen in your blood), it can be troublesome for a home's plumbing system. When water is reached in the drilling process, we test for iron content before deciding if the well is finished or not. Deepening a well does not always take you out of the iron, but generally the water quality will improve. We try to find the best water in a location that is possible.

5. Where should I locate my well?

There are several variables to consider when planning the location of a well. You want to ensure that your well is located as far as possible from potential sources of contamination. Most common, a well needs to be a minimum of 25 feet from the septic tank and 50 feet from the septic drainfield. Home owners should also take into consideration access for the drilling rig, placement of the pressure tank inside the home, and future landscaping plans. We work with the customer or contractor to determine the best site and try to accommodate unusual situations as best we can.

6. What size pump and pressure tank will I need?

The standard size pump is a 1/2 hp, which is sufficient for most homes. You may want to consider a larger pump if your water usage will be unusually high due to more bathrooms, hot tubs or swimming pools, lawn sprinkling, and other uncommon uses. Pumps should be sized accordingly, however, as too big can put undue stress on the pump itself. The standard size pressure tank is a 42 gallon-equivalent tank. Again, you may want to consider a larger tank if your water usage is higher than normal. Most drillers quote a basic well package based on a minimum depth and a standard equipment package. Upgrades are available but are an additional expense to the basic contract. We can answer your questions and advise you on the best system to meet your needs. Our proposals can include upgrades that may pertain to your situation so you have a more accurate estimate of the cost.

7. What kind of warranties can I expect on my well system?

Pumps normally carry a one-year warranty but do not include lightning damage. While most homeowner insurance policies will cover lightning damage to your pump, you still have the deductible to consider and the burden of proof. Pressure tanks are usually covered for five years against leaks in the tank itself and one year on all other parts. Manufacturers do not cover the labor to replace an item, however. Warranties vary from driller to driller. We guarantee the complete job for one year. We install mostly Sta-Rite pumps, a Wisconsin made brand, which carry a two-year warranty with a five-year warranty available on request. Other brands of pumps we install are Goulds and Meyers. We also install mostly Sta-Rite pressure tanks.

8. Diagram of a drilled well with submersible pump: