Beginning in April 2026, my residential well began displaying the error code "LOP" (Loss of Prime), indicating that the system could no longer draw water. The well was installed in 2018 and is only seven years old, so I immediately began seeking professional help.
I first attempted to contact the original installer. For about a week, my calls went unanswered. Eventually, I located the installer's name, John, on the original 2018 invoice. After two to three more days, he finally returned my call and informed me that he had sold his business two years earlier and could not assist. He advised me to find another company.
Over the next several months, I contacted at least five different well‑service companies, repeatedly calling and pleading for help. All five eventually came to my property:
Two companies inspected the well but found nothing. They admitted they lacked experience with this type of system and said a senior technician would contact me for further diagnosis. No one ever followed up.
Three companies claimed the "LOP" error meant my well had completely dried out. Without performing any meaningful diagnostic work, they recommended drilling a brand‑new well.
Each visit lasted less than 30 minutes, yet I was charged between $780 and $1,300 per visit, with no resolution and no accurate diagnosis.
By early August, after three months without water, thousands of dollars spent, and no reliable help, I was extremely discouraged and ready to give up.
A family friend then referred me to Independent Well Drilling (IWD). I called without expecting much, but to my surprise, someone answered within two rings. After hearing my situation -- no water for three months -- he immediately gave me the direct number of his owner, Chuck, and urged me to call him right away.
Chuck responded promptly, exchanged a few text messages with me, and arrived the very next day. After inspecting the well for less than 15 minutes, he told me confidently that this was not a dry‑well issue. He suspected a pump or pipe failure and recommended a full inspection, including pulling the pipe and using a camera to examine the 400‑ft‑deep well.
I agreed, and two days later Chuck sent his team -- Shawn (manager), Abey, and Eddy. Their professionalism and efficiency were exceptional. Within two hours, they pulled all 400 feet of galvanized pipe from the well and discovered:
A large hole in the pipe
Extensive rust throughout the pipe
Significant debris and unknown materials inside the well
Approximately 70% of the well screen blocked by sand and other materials
Despite the severe damage, there was one very important piece of good news: Shawn measured the water level and confirmed the well was not dry at all. In fact, the water level was at 42 feet, which is excellent for a 400‑ft well -- meaning the well remained highly productive.
Shawn recommended a full well rehabilitation, including cleaning out all debris and replacing the old metal pipe with PVC, which will not rust. I approved the work.
Day 1: Full inspection and diagnosis
Day 2: Complete well cleaning and debris removal
Day 3: Installation of new PVC pipe, reassembly of the system, and a simplified setup to make future maintenance easier
After reassembly, Shawn's team ran the well for over an hour. The water pressure remained strong and stable the entire time. Before leaving, Shawn checked all my irrigation lines to ensure proper pressure for my garden and backyard. They cleaned up the entire work area thoroughly -- not a single piece of debris left behind.
After four months of frustration, incorrect diagnoses, and unnecessary expenses, Independent Well Drilling finally identified the real problem and restored my well to full functionality.
I want to sincerely thank Chuck, Shawn, Abey, and Eddy for their hard work, honesty, and efficiency. I truly wish they had been the first company I called. Although my garden and trees suffered during these months without water, I am grateful that my well is now fully operational again -- and it is never too late to have it working properly. read more
