A well system is spread across several places in a home. Some parts sit in the ground, some in a pump house or basement, and some near the kitchen sink or water heater. Many Missouri homeowners inherit a system without a written list of what is installed, where it is, or who serviced it last. A simple equipment inventory fills that gap. It takes a walk, a notebook or shared document, and some patience.
Why a written list helps
When a pump stops, a pressure gauge reads oddly, or a sample is due, the first question is always what connects to what. A written inventory answers that question before anyone climbs into a crawl space. It also helps the next owner of the property, a service technician, or a family member who takes over water duties during a trip. The list does not need to be technical. It only needs to be accurate and dated.
Start at the well and work inward
Begin outdoors at the well cap or casing top. Note whether the cap looks intact, whether the vent screen is present, and whether the area around the casing is clear of debris. Photograph the cap from two sides. Next, list any nearby electrical boxes, any buried wire routes you can see, and any pitless adapter or old hand pump remnant. Do not open sealed well equipment or disturb the ground. The goal is observation only.
Move inside to the pump house, basement, or utility room. Identify the pressure tank, the pressure switch, the control box, any treatment equipment such as a softener or sediment filter, and the main shutoff valve. Copy the make and model labels exactly as they appear on each item. If a label is worn or missing, write that down too. An honest note of unknowns is more useful than a guess.
What to record for each item
- Location, described in plain words, such as north wall of the pump house
- Labeled make, model, and serial text, copied exactly
- Approximate age, if a date appears on the item or in paperwork
- Date of last service and the business that performed it, if known
- Any visible condition, such as staining, dripping, or a loose fitting
- Photo file name that matches the entry
Map the water path
Trace the water from the well to the house in simple steps. Water usually moves from the well into a pressure tank, through the pressure switch and control area, then through any treatment equipment, and finally into the distribution lines. Draw this as a short sequence on paper. Add notes showing where the cold supply branches to the water heater and where outdoor spigots connect. A simple flow sketch makes later troubleshooting far easier, especially when valves are involved.
Mark shutoffs and bypasses
Label every shutoff valve and bypass you can find. Write down which area each one controls, such as the whole house, the softener only, or the outdoor line. Check that labels are readable from where a person would normally stand. Do not operate valves during the inventory unless you are familiar with the system and the household is ready for a brief interruption. If a valve is stuck or leaks, record that and leave it for a qualified person to address.
Keep the inventory current
An inventory goes stale quickly. Update it after any service visit, part replacement, filter change, or sample collection. Store a copy in a second place, such as a cloud folder, and keep a paper copy with the house papers. Date each revision at the top. Some Missouri homeowners also keep a copy in a plastic sleeve near the pressure tank so the next person who opens the room can see it right away.
Safety and limits
This guide covers observation and record keeping only. Electrical boxes, pressure tanks, and buried lines carry real risks. Never open a live electrical enclosure, and do not attempt repairs based on the list alone. Water quality questions are a separate matter that call for a certified laboratory and a sampling plan, not a visual check. This inventory helps you ask better questions and gives any helper the information they need to start.