A-1 Well Drilling

The well pump failed Saturday night, 9/12/2015, not discovered until Sunday morning 9/13. Angie's List recommended several companies including Roto-Rooter who has emergency service on Sunday. Unfortunately, Angie's List incorrectly listed a number of plumbers who could work on well systems but really cannot because they don't have the Indiana license/certification. Roto-Rooter recommended A-1 Well Drilling and we reached them Monday morning. Larry came out Monday afternoon hoping it was a simple relay problem but no such luck. He brought the team out Tuesday to pull the pump out of the ground but it was corroded into place (don't believe those folks who tell you to use chlorine in your wells because the chlorine corrodes the well pump!). They would have to dig out the well head to access the pump, but the utility companies would have to mark their buried lines first. That happened Wednesday, so the team returned Thursday, dug out the well head, replaced the head and pump, added a faucet, replaced the pressure tank and support plumbing in the house (all of which were corroded and on the verge of failure as well). Water is now restored to the house and barn, the system has a seven-year guarantee because the pressure tank was changed out with the pump, and life returned to normal.

We contacted A1 to help us replace water softener. Many years ago A1 dug out well and connected to home with water softener. Water softener was faulting and contacted A1 several times with reassurance they would call back and do a service call and nothing happened.

I was very unsure about my initial contact because they seemed unorganized and professional on the phone. It was a Tuesday and he said if he didn't call me by Thursday to call him back. When I hung up I had written him off. He ended up showing up that afternoon and instead of selling me on a new well or an expensive fix (which another company wanted to do over the phone without even coming out). He explained everything we should try first, and although the well was old and would need replaced eventually, to try those things first. If they didn't work he had something else he could try that was also inexpensive. His first suggestions worked! No charge and our out of pocket at the hardware store was about $15, and about 1 hour of time for my husband. For that, if we problems down the road he will be my first call and get our business. Also, a 3rd company I called never even showed up! So the only reason he gets a B is for the lack of phone/organization skills upfront!

My water well pump foot valve was leaking. I called Larry Gifford, A-1 Well Drilling, because he had been recommended to me by the person who took care of my septic system last year. Mister Gifford did come to look at the job, but before and after that, he did not return telephone calls. He said he would call me -=- but he never did. I had to call him and leave messages that were never returned. As far as I am concerned, a business person that can't do a simple thing like make a telephone call, is probably unprofessional in his work too. I never gave him the chance to find out!!