What You Need To Know About DIY Well Drilling vs. Hiring a Pro
Dig deep and tap into your own sustainable source of water
Whether out of curiosity or by necessity, many homeowners have entertained the idea of DIY well drilling. You can drill your own well and tap into a sustainable source of water straight out of the earth. To access well water safely, take the necessary steps before, during, and after digging a well. When in doubt, consider hiring a professional for the job.
Why You May Need To Drill a Well
For some people living in more remote areas, digging a well may be the only way to access a sustainable water supply. But, even suburban folks can benefit from learning how to drill a well. There are differences between well water and city water, of course, but DIY well drilling can provide a reliable water source in case of an emergency.
Depending on your needs, budget, and skill level, you may be able to drill your own well for water. Water well kits are available online, or you may buy individual supplies from the hardware store.
In some cases, hiring a professional may be warranted. This is especially true for digging deep-water wells or connecting the well to your home’s water supply system. Well-digging specialists have the equipment, experience, and expertise to get the job done right.
How Much Does DIY Well Drilling Cost?
If you decide to take the DIY route, well drilling costs around $2,500 for the cost of materials alone. This does not include the possible cost of permits, inspections, and any additional labor.
Among the supplies you may need are:
Well drilling rig kit
Well pump
Water storage tank
PVC pipe
Well screen
Gravel and cement
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Pro?
If you would prefer to leave it to the professionals, local well pump companies usually charge around $1,500 to $6,000 to drill a well. A deeper well, going as far down as 400 feet, costs more than a shallower one. Local water levels can determine how deep your well needs to go. Other factors include casing diameter and ground conditions. A larger casing for a well through rocky or sloped soil will cost more.
How To Identify a Well-Drilling Location
Before you can start drilling, you have to choose where you’re going to dig your well. The right location is important not only for tapping into a good source of water but also to abide by local laws and regulations.
1. Check With Local Authorities First
It is legal in most states to drill a well on your own property. But, you may need to get a permit to drill beyond a certain depth. Similarly, be sure to check with local utility companies. You don’t want to dig into hidden underground electricity, gas, or telephone lines.
2. Locate the Water Source
You can’t have a working well without a good source of water. A healthy tree means that its tap root has found water—this may be a good place to start. You can also reduce the needed depth of your well by choosing a lower location, like at the bottom of a hill rather than the top.
3. Inspect the Dirt
Consider the soil’s porosity and composition. Soft clay is much easier to drill than hard rock. This can impact where you choose to dig, especially if you are drilling your well by hand. Get beyond the surface layer of topsoil for a closer look at what’s underneath. You can also find information via your county agriculture extension office.
4. Consider the Water Quality
When choosing your well location, you’ll want to avoid sources of contamination, like septic tanks, sewers, and animal pens. Their harmful contents can seep into the surrounding soil, leeching straight into your water supply. Choose a well location that’s as far away from these types of contaminants as possible.
How To Drill Your Own Well
There are several options for DIY well drilling, but they all do basically the same thing. To drill your own well, you will need a way to dig and hollow out a column of dirt until you reach the underground water table. Then, you will need to secure and protect that water source, using a well pump to deliver that water to the surface. There’s no need for an extra wide well with a bucket on the end of a rope! You’ll only be digging a well a few inches wide.
1. Drill the Bore Hole
The actual method for drilling the hole for the well can vary. In most cases, you will continuously flush the hole with water as you drill. This helps to bring the cuttings (the solid material from the ground) to the surface, so you can keep digging deeper. A water drill uses the high pressure of the water along with an abrasive substance to cut through the soil. Rocky terrain may call for a professional drilling rig that can break up the harder material.
An adjustable hand auger is a tool with a helical bit for boring holes in the ground. Use it with extendable attachments to reach the desired depth.
Cut teeth into the end of a 2-inch PVC pipe to use as a drill pipe.
Rotate the PVC pipe back and forth while working it into the ground.
Run water through the pipe, so the resulting upward flow around the outside of the pipe can bring cuttings to the surface.
Keep moving the dirt out of the way as you remove it from the drill hole.
Drill past the topsoil and the first layer of clay until you reach water-bearing sand. When you do, dig at least five feet into this layer.
Your DIY well drilling project will depend on local conditions. While you may drill a shallow well that’s only 25 feet deep, a depth of at least 100 feet is recommended to provide good ground filtration to remove impurities and surface contamination. Deeper wells of 200 to 500 feet typically access water that has been filtered through layers of rock and soil. Calculating the depth of your well will be an important step in the planning process.
2. Insert the Well Screen Pipe
A well screen filters out debris and sand while allowing water through. You can buy a premade well screen pipe, or make your own by cutting hundreds of very thin horizontal slits into PVC pipe using a hacksaw. The purpose of the well screen is to keep the water reasonably clean. The slits must be thinner than a grain of sand.
Cement a 1 1/4-inch well screen pipe to the end of a 1 1/4-inch PVC pipe.
Put this length of PVC pipe inside a 2-inch PVC drill pipe, reaching the bottom of your well.
Suspend it about six inches to a foot from the bottom of the well. Do this by hitting the bottom of your well, marking the location on your 1 1/4-inch PVC pipe, and lifting it six inches to a foot to make a new mark.
Remove the 2-inch PVC pipe, if you use it, being careful not to lift the 1 1/4-inch PVC with it.
3. Install the Well Pump
The next step is to install the well pump. You may have a manual hand pump, electric pump, or jet pump. Well pump replacement costs depend on the type of pump you’d like to have. Foot valves allow water to be drawn in but no escape back out.
Place the well cap and then install the well pump on top
Test the pump to make sure it works
Bail the well and flush out the dirty, non-potable water at the bottom
Keep working your pump until the water runs clear
4. Protect the Excavated Walls
Pour pea gravel into the space between the 1 1/4-inch PVC pipe and the walls of the hole that your 2-inch PVC pipe created. Once you’ve covered the well screen pipe completely with gravel, continue filling the space with the dirt you removed from the hole. You may choose to use other materials to reinforce this section too, like reinforced mortar cylinders. Keep going until you are about six inches to a foot from the surface.
5. Seal the Top of the Well
For this final section of six to 12 inches, pour cement around the head of the well to seal it. This will help to prevent contamination from the surface. It also helps to prevent the formation of mud flats. Leave the cement alone for a few days to cure.
Tips for Drilling Your Own Well
DIY well drilling, especially by hand, can involve a lot of hard, physical labor. It can also be a rewarding experience that’s flush with opportunities for greater self-reliance. To keep the process moving smoothly, keep the following tips and advice in mind.
Always do your due diligence before breaking ground. Triple-check with local authorities and ensure you have all the materials you need.
If you want a larger water source, you may need to consider using a larger PVC pipe than described above for your well.
Cover the hole with a piece of wood when you are not actively drilling. It would be terribly inconvenient if something fell down there.
Take the time to ensure the PVC primer and cement are creating solid connections between the sections of PVC pipe.
A well pressure tank can also supply a larger sustainable source of water. This is a more complex project than a relatively simpler drill well, so you may want to call a professional.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Well Drilling
When should you consider DIY well drilling and when should you turn to a pro? To help you decide how to drill a well, we’ve summarized some key benefits of both approaches.
Reasons To Do It Yourself
If these apply to you, it might make sense to drill your own well:
You want to learn a new skill
Well drilling kits are widely available near you
You want to save money
You already have the equipment
You live in a very remote area
Reasons To Hire a Professional
Equally, there are many reasons why you may want to hire a specialist for the job.
You want a well pressure tank
You want to make sure you protect the water table
You want to dig a deeper well and need heavy machinery to do it
You’re not sure about the ideal well placement
Pros make fewer mistakes and are less likely to cause damage
Pros know about the legal requirements for permits and other paperwork
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is possible to drill a well by hand, but it calls for a good deal of physical labor. Drilling a well by hand is best suited for softer soil, and it may not be possible through rockier terrain. For wider and deeper holes, companies with professional equipment make the job much easier.
To drill a shallow well, you may be able to use a drive well point. This is a tapered point that is driven into the ground. A drill bit at the end of PVC pipe may be another option to consider. A lot of the cost depends on what tools are available near you.
Expect to take at least a day to drill your own well by hand. For a 500-foot well, this could take even longer, depending on the makeup of the soil and the terrain you are drilling through. Other factors include your physical strength and overall fitness level and the weather conditions you’re working in.
The physical constraints of hand-drilling a well limit the depth you can achieve. Manually digging with picks and shovels may only lead to shallow wells of up to 60 feet in depth. To reach greater depths, you need more specialized equipment. The diameter of your well and the tools you’re using will determine how far down you can dig.