A: We keep an extensive database of all the wells (over 16,000) we have drilled to date. From that information, we can determine your neighbors’ well depths and static water levels. We also review details regarding the construction of those wells. This information can be very helpful when we bid and construct your well. In addition to the database, and even more importantly, our well drillers’ experience will help make the final decisions that result in a successful well.

A: Ground water is for the most part very safe and dependable. If there is cause for concern it is best to have the water tested. Water testing is always available to you from your local or state environmental health department. The most common test is for Coliform bacteria, but there are a few other things that you may wish to test (i.e. fluoride, nitrates). Most people will not find a problem with their water, but testing will bring you peace of mind. There are also certified private labs in most areas, check your yellow pages for listings.

Q: What is the best way to choose a well driller?

A: The best way is by reputation. Ask a friend or neighbor that has had a well drilled, they will often have an opinion of who is best. Price comparison is also a good idea, but should not be your only determining factor. Your well is one of the most important aspects of your home. You will form an opinion of the company by the way it presents itself along with reputation and price. If there is still doubt after that, you can always inquire with the state environmental health department. Most states will list any company which has had complaints filed against them.

Q: When is the best time to get the well drilled when building a new home?

A: It’s usually best to have the well drilled first so you know that you will have water when the house is completed. The latest the well should be drilled is during the drywall stage of construction if at all possible. Finding water on most sites is not a problem. However, if the house is started or worse yet, near completion and a dry hole was drilled it could be quite unnerving. Some areas in Washtenaw county are designated “well first” by the local health department. These sites must have a completed well (not including the pump or finish hook-up) to get a building permit. To find out if you are in a well first area (when building a new home in Washtenaw county) check with the health department. If you are hoping to do a well later in the building process, you should at least check Cribley Drilling Company to see if your site is located in a known “good” area for finding water. The following townships (Augusta, Superior, and York) are designated completely well first in addition to parts of other townships within Washtenaw county.

A: This occurs rarely if your well contractor is experienced. The area in which the well is drilled can have a large effect on success too. Some areas are simply difficult areas to find water. If we drill a dry well in a sand or gravel formation, we do not ordinarily charge the customer. We would simply start over and hopefully find water on the second try. If we do not find a water bearing formation in sand or gravel and drill a reasonable distance into the bedrock with no success, then a reduced rate would be charge to the customer. Then, assuming that the customer still wanted to continue, a new site would be agreed upon and another attempt would be made to complete a successful well.

A: It is very unlikely this will happen. In Michigan, we are fortunate to have an abundant supply of water that consists of huge aquifers that are sometimes interconnected. These are merely underground pockets of sand, gravel or bedrock that contain vast quantities of water and are constantly being replenished. The most common misconception about wells going dry relates to older wells that have become clogged with mineral deposits and do not produce as much water as they once did. If this occurs there is a possibility that the well can be reconditioned to alleviate the problem. If a well is in fact going dry it can usually be drilled deeper using the same casing if it is a bedrock well. If the well is drilled into sand or gravel it would have to be replaced with a deeper well in hopes of finding a better supply.

A: We have up-to-date, well maintained trucks and equipment to do the job efficiently. We take the time to research wells in your neighborhood which gives us a full understanding of the probable outcome of your well. We have proven methods for getting the most out of every well we do. The products we sell are time-tested, made with quality by leaders in the industry. And most importantly, our highly trained professional staff will give you the best well possible.