Private Well Services · East Tennessee
Well Inspection & Water Testing in Knoxville, TN
Two separate checks for homes on a private well: the condition of the equipment, and the quality of the water. Bent Nail offers both as independent services, so you can book exactly what you need.
About 15% of U.S. homes rely on a private well
If you’re buying or already live in a home on a private well anywhere in East Tennessee, Bent Nail can check the equipment, the water quality, or both.
Well Equipment Inspection
Bent Nail has been trained by WelGard, a leading well equipment warranty company, to conduct thorough well equipment inspections. A successful report qualifies you for a free 90-day WelGard warranty. Catching a tired pump or a failing pressure switch early is worth it: replacing a well pump can run into the thousands, and drilling a new well can run into the tens of thousands.
Yield and flow test
We run 350 gallons or more through the system, measuring flow rates at different points, to confirm the well supports normal household usage.
Pump diagnostics
Cycle time and amperage draw testing give us a clear picture of pump condition without opening the well cap or pulling the pump.
Pressure tank check
We evaluate pressure tank condition and performance as part of the same visit.
Visible equipment review
Wellhead, cap, casing, and plumbing are inspected for damage, corrosion, or improper installation.
Photo-documented report
Any issues we find are documented clearly so you know exactly what needs to be addressed.
WelGard warranty eligible
A successful inspection qualifies you for a free 90-day warranty from WelGard.
Well Water Testing
Water quality and equipment condition are two different things. A well can pump reliably and still deliver water that fails a lender’s or a family’s safety standards.
Certified lab sampling
Water samples are sent to a certified laboratory for accurate, reliable results.
FHA/VA/USDA or basic panel
Covers the standard testing panel most lenders and buyers need: total coliform, E. coli, nitrates, nitrites, and lead.
Advanced panel available
Need more than the basic panel? Our advanced test adds biological, inorganic, metal, and water property parameters for an added cost.
Clear results
Lab results are delivered in an easy-to-read format, so you know exactly where things stand.
What the basic panel checks for
- Total Coliform & E. coli (presence/absence)Must be completely absent (0 colonies per 100 mL)
- NitratesMust not exceed 10 mg/L
- NitritesMust not exceed 1 mg/L
- LeadMust not exceed 15 parts per billion (ppb)
Advanced panel also available
Biological
Coliform, E. coli (presence/absence)
Inorganic
Chloride, nitrate, nitrite, total phosphate, sulfate
Metals
Arsenic, total copper, total iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, potassium
Properties
Color, conductivity, hardness, pH, total suspended solids
East Tennessee sits on karst topography, porous limestone that lets surface runoff move quickly into groundwater. That makes local wells more susceptible to contamination after heavy rain or nearby land disturbance than wells in areas with different geology, one more reason annual testing matters here.
Tennessee does not impose one statewide sampling panel requirement for private water supplies, so the exact tests needed can depend on your lender or the party requesting the report. If you’re buying a home with a private well, check with your lender first, and we’ll make sure your test matches what’s required.
A failing septic system is one of the more common causes of well contamination. If your property has both, our sister service, Septic Dye Testing, can be scheduled alongside your well services in the same visit.
Well inspection & water testing FAQ
Do I need both a well inspection and a water test?
Not necessarily. They check different things: the inspection covers the physical equipment (pump, pressure tank, flow rate), while the water test checks quality and safety. Many lenders require the water test specifically, while a well equipment inspection is often optional but recommended. Check your lender’s requirements or ask us if you’re not sure which one you need.
Can I book just one of these services?
Yes. These are offered independently. You can schedule only the equipment inspection, only the water test, or both in the same visit.
How long does a well inspection take?
Most well equipment inspections take place alongside a standard home inspection appointment, with the yield and flow test running in the background while other areas of the home are inspected.
How much does a well inspection cost?
Well equipment inspections at Bent Nail start at $350. A travel fee may apply for wells in more rural service areas.
Can you test for FHA, VA, or USDA loan requirements?
Yes. Let us know your loan type when scheduling and we’ll make sure the water test panel matches what your lender requires. FHA/VA/USDA or basic water testing starts at $225 and checks total coliform, E. coli, nitrates, nitrites, and lead.
How often should I test my well water?
The EPA recommends testing a private well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH. Tennessee’s own well water guidance and the National Ground Water Association make the same annual recommendation. Test more often if young children, elderly adults, or someone who is pregnant or nursing lives in the home. Test right away if you notice a change in taste, odor, or appearance, after flooding or a broken well cap, after a septic system malfunction, if anyone in the household has recurring gastrointestinal illness, or after any repair to the well system.
What does the advanced water test include?
Beyond the basic panel, the advanced test checks biological parameters (coliform, E. coli presence/absence), inorganic parameters (chloride, nitrate, nitrite, total phosphate, sulfate), metals (arsenic, total copper, total iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, potassium), and water properties (color, conductivity, hardness, pH, total suspended solids). Ask us if you need a specific parameter checked that isn’t on this list.
Does my septic system affect my well water?
Yes. A failing septic system is one of the more common causes of well contamination, especially in areas with karst geology like East Tennessee. If your property has both a well and a septic system, we recommend having both checked. Our sister service, Septic Dye Testing, can be scheduled in the same visit as your well services.
What happens if the well has low flow or other issues?
We document any issues clearly in your report so you know exactly what needs to be addressed, whether that’s before closing or as routine maintenance.
What areas do you serve?
Bent Nail serves Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Loudon, Maryville, and other East Tennessee communities.
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Choose well equipment inspection, water testing, or both when you book.