How to Find a Buried Well Head

Locating a water well on your property can be challenging. However, for many homeowners with older homes or following a heavy winter storm, the challenge isn’t just knowing the general area of the well. The challenge is also uncovering a buried well head. For example, previously it was a common (though now outdated) practice to bury well heads below the frost line to prevent freezing. Over decades, layers of topsoil, mulch, and landscaping can hide these vital access points. This creates a major problem when you face an emergency “no water” situation or need a routine well pump replacement.

If you are struggling to find a buried well head, rest assured, because at the Aqua Pump Company, we’ve helped countless homeowners locate hidden or “buried” wells (especially after snowstorms). For more, the following deep dive will provide DIY techniques and explain why uncovering and “bringing to grade” your well is a necessity for modern home ownership.

The Hidden Danger of the Buried Well

Before we get into the search, it is important to understand why a buried well head is more than just a nuisance.

• Contamination Risks: A well head that sits below ground level is prone to “surface water intrusion.” Heavy rain or snowmelt can carry pesticides, fertilizers, and bacteria (like E. coli) directly into your well casing if the seal is compromised.
• Emergency Access: If your well pump fails in the dead of winter, finding a buried well under frozen ground and two feet of snow is nearly impossible without specialized help.
• Modern Standards: Current building codes (particularly in Connecticut and Massachusetts) generally require well casings to extend at least 12 inches above the finished grade. Keeping a well buried is technically a code violation and can hold up the sale of a home.

DIY Techniques to Locate a Buried Well Head

Most likely, the simple step of walking around the property to find the well head wasn’t effective. So, if the basic visual checks haven’t worked, it’s time to get a bit more technical. Here are the advanced methods for finding your well location when it’s hidden beneath the surface. As always, with any DIY activity, there is no shame in contacting a local professional, which will likely save time and money in the long run.

Triangulate from Your House Records

The original well driller must file documentation, often known as a well report or well log. Look specifically for “offset measurements” within the reports, which often list the distance from two fixed points on your house (like the corner of the foundation and the center of the chimney).

Additionally, to help triangulate the buried well head from the reports, use two long measuring tapes. Pin one at the first house point and the second at the other. Walk out until the two tapes meet at the recorded distances, which is where you should start digging.

The Metal Detector Method

Most well casings are made of steel, which makes a high-quality metal detector an effective tool. It is worth noting that a standard “hobbyist” metal detector may only penetrate 6–12 inches. If your well was buried 2 or 3 feet deep to avoid the frost line, you may need an industrial-grade detector.

Additionally, keep in mind that you aren’t just looking for the pipe itself. You are looking for the well cap, which is often a large, heavy iron disc that will trigger a very strong signal.

Probing the Soil

If you have narrowed the area to a 5-foot radius, you can use a soil probe, a long, thin metal rod with a T-handle. With the probe, then gently push the rod into the ground every few inches and feel around for a solid “clunk” that sounds like metal-on-metal.​

Importantly, be extremely careful not to drive the probe into your buried electrical conduit or the PVC water line. If you feel resistance that feels “spongy” or soft, stop immediately because you might be hitting your pipes.

Locate the “Pitless Adapter”

Inside your basement, find where the water line enters the foundation. Outside, follow that line. At the well, there is a component called a pitless adapter that connects the horizontal pipe from your house to the vertical well casing. This is usually the deepest point. If you can find the pipe with a probe, you can follow it straight to the casing.

When the DIY Search Hits a Wall

Searching for a buried well head can quickly go from a weekend project to a property-damaging disaster. If the initial DIY steps fail to find the buried well head, it might be time to contact a local water company, such as the Aqua Pump Company, or a professional well-locating service.

Non-Metallic Casings

In some newer (but still older) systems, the well casing might be made of PVC (plastic). A metal detector will be completely useless in this scenario. Professionals use signal tracing, where we can send a “sonde” (a small transmitter) or an electrical pulse down the line to find the exact point where the pipe meets the well.

Risk of Damaging Infrastructure

One wrong move with a shovel or a probe can sever the power line to your well pump. Not only does this leave you without water, but it also creates a dangerous electrical hazard in wet soil. Our team uses non-destructive locating methods to ensure your utilities remain intact.

Bringing the Well “To Grade”

Once a buried well head is found, it shouldn’t be buried again. Rather, work with a local water professional, such as the Aqua Pump Company, that specializes in well extensions. Working with our experienced team to find your well head means leveraging specialized equipment to bring it above grade and, more importantly, ensure it functions properly.

Why the Aqua Pump Company is the Expert in Well Locating

If you are struggling with how to find a buried well head on your property, don’t risk damaging your yard or your water system. Our technicians have the specialized equipment to locate even the most deeply buried wells quickly and accurately.

For over 50 years, Aqua Pump Company has been the go-to resource for Connecticut and western Massachusetts residents. We don’t just “find” wells. We provide comprehensive well services, including:

• Electronic well locating.
• Bringing buried wells to grade.
• Well inspections and water testing.
• 24-hour emergency pump repairs.

Contact Aqua Pump Company today to schedule a consultation.

Do it Once – Do it Right.