Well Casing Repair & Replacement Guide
Quick Answer: Casing protects your water from contamination. Signs of damage: sand in water, bacteria returning, quality changes after rain. Repairs include liners and patching. Severe damage may require new casing or new well. Cost: $2,000-$10,000+ depending on work needed.
What Well Casing Does
Protection Functions
- Keeps surface water out: Prevents contamination
- Holds back soil/rock: Prevents collapse
- Seals off poor-quality zones: Only good aquifer water enters
- Provides structure: For pump, pipe, wire
Casing Components
- Casing pipe: Steel or PVC (usually 6" residential)
- Grout seal: Fills space between casing and borehole
- Well cap: Seals top of casing
- Screen (if present): At bottom, allows water entry
When Casing Fails
- Surface water enters well
- Bacteria contamination possible
- Sediment enters pump
- Water quality degrades
Signs of Casing Damage
Water Quality Changes
- Sudden increase in sand/sediment
- Bacteria tests positive repeatedly
- Quality worse after rain
- Muddy or cloudy water appears
- New tastes or odors
Pump Problems
- Sand wearing pump
- Shorter pump life
- Clogged screens
Visible Issues
- Casing leaning or tilted
- Visible rust/corrosion above ground
- Cap loose or missing
- Ground settling around well
Production Issues
- Sudden change in water level
- Reduced yield
- Well depth seems to have changed
Causes of Casing Damage
Corrosion
- Steel casing rusts over time
- Acidic water accelerates corrosion
- Develops holes, weakness
- Common in older wells (30+ years)
Physical Damage
- Vehicle driving over well
- Construction damage
- Earthquake/ground movement
- Improper service
Poor Installation
- Inadequate grouting
- Wrong casing size
- Poor connections
- Insufficient depth
Age
- Steel casing: 30-50+ year life
- PVC casing: 50+ year life
- Grout can deteriorate
- Joints can fail
Repair Options
1. Liner (Sleeve)
- Insert smaller casing inside existing
- Bridges over damaged areas
- Seals holes and cracks
- Reduces well diameter slightly
- Cost: $2,000-$6,000
2. Patching
- For small holes or cracks
- Various patching materials
- Less reliable than liner
- May be temporary fix
3. Re-Grouting
- If grout seal has failed
- Inject new grout material
- Seals annular space
- Cost: $1,000-$3,000
4. Well Rehabilitation
- Clean, video inspect, assess
- May reveal damage extent
- Combined with liner if needed
Video Inspection
- Camera lowered into well
- Shows damage location and extent
- Critical for planning repairs
- Cost: $300-$800
When to Replace vs Repair
Repair May Work
- Localized damage
- Single hole or crack
- Good casing otherwise
- Grout failure only
Replacement Needed
- Extensive corrosion
- Multiple holes throughout
- Structural collapse
- Very old steel casing
New Well May Be Better
- Major casing work very expensive
- Old well has other issues
- Well is producing poorly anyway
- Deeper water available
Cost Comparison
| Option | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Liner installation | $2,000-$6,000 |
| Re-grouting | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Major casing repair | $5,000-$15,000 |
| New well (depending on depth) | $15,000-$50,000 |
Decision Factors
- Age of well
- Extent of damage
- Future reliability
- Cost of repair vs new well
- Well yield and water quality
Frequently Asked Questions
What are signs of damaged well casing?
Sand in water, bacteria returning after treatment, quality changes after rain, visible damage above ground.
Can well casing be repaired?
Often yes—liners, patching, re-grouting. Severe damage may require replacement or new well.
How long does well casing last?
Steel: 30-50+ years. PVC: 50+ years. Depends on water chemistry and installation quality.
How do I know what's wrong with my casing?
Video inspection shows damage location and type. Critical for planning repairs.
How much does casing repair cost?
Liner: $2,000-$6,000. Re-grouting: $1,000-$3,000. Major repairs can cost more than a new well.
Suspect Casing Problems?
We inspect wells with video cameras and perform casing repairs and rehabilitation.