Wisconsin Property Inspection - Wells and Drinking Water

A part of your general home inspection is the plumbing inspection. A home inspector will determine if your water source is municipal or well. In the case of a well, he will not inspect the actual well, its components, or test the water. He will recommend a well specialist conduct a comprehensive inspection, instead.

Ground water is what supplies a well with drinking water. A modern well for all intents and purposes is engineered to filter this water before it enters your family’s drinking water, but there are many types of environmental contaminants that can leach beyond such barriers and affect the health of your household well.

Typical contaminants a well test might cover include coliform and E. coli, lead and pesticides. But there are many others and most sources suggest you test your well water based on the land use in the area. Farmland would dictate pesticide testing, for example.

Wisconsin Property Inspection Services- Abandoned Wells

Not only can wells pose a health threat if contaminants get into your water, but abandoned wells can pose their own host of issues. Abandoned wells are not only a safety hazard if not properly abandoned, but they can also contribute their own contaminants into the water table. In many cases individuals with old and open wells have utilized their holding space to dispose of harmful chemicals and other waste which in turn releases contaminants into the ground water.

Also open improperly abandoned wells have been hazards for humans, especially small children and animals who are small enough to fall and get trapped inside.

Proper abandonment of a defunct well is the job of professional well drillers and installers. They have the know-how and the equipment and can make sure the procedure is done according to local customs and regulations.

Wisconsin Property Inspection- Underground Storage Tanks

In many cases some properties might contain underground storage tanks or underground oil tanks. There are scads of regulations, many of them regional, which relate to such structures. Underground storage tanks have typically been used or are in current use as places to store everything from animal feed to hazardous materials. Most regulations require regular testing of such storage areas, along with tests of local ground water to monitor any contamination.

When a home inspector observes a property feature such as an old oil tank or underground storage, he might recommend a specialist to conduct a specialized inspection of the site to verify documentation of its existence or proper abandonment to the customer.

Wisconsin Property Inspection Services- Septic Tanks

Areas not served by municipal sewer have waste drainage in the form of a septic tank or mound system. A septic tank is the responsibility of the homeowner. When you buy or sell a home with a septic system, a thorough inspection should be conducted. A healthy, properly constructed and maintained septic tank can operate without incidence for many years. However, there are many homeowners who forget to have their tanks checked regularly or pumped, which can lead to dangerous ground water contamination.

House Detective Property Inspection Services is certified by the American Home Inspectors Training Institute (AHIT), licensed by the State of Wisconsin, fully insured including Errors & Omissions insurance (E&O), and a member of the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors (WAHI). House Detective Property  Inspection Services serves the greater Milwaukee area, including Brookfield, Grafton, Mequon, Cedarburg, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, New Berlin, Franklin, Waterford and all of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Request a Home Inspection Quote from the House Detective right now or to schedule a home inspection CALL 262.673.3092 or 262.782.2692 or toll free at 888.737.0817

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