New Well Owner? Why Well Maintenance Is Crucial
if you recently acquired property with a well on the premises, you may have concerns about how to keep your well in good working condition. Although wells can be excellent sources of water, they require a great deal of maintenance to stay functional and to keep your water healthy. Here's why well maintenance is crucial to keeping your water safe.
What's Well Maintenance?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that every well owner inspect, check, and test their wells thoroughly every year. The annual checkups allow you to detect pathogens, chemicals, and other hazards before they contaminate your water supply. Wells obtain their water directly from the earth or ground. Contaminants from nearby streams and other sources of water can infiltrate your well and make the water unsafe to drink.
Your well also relies on a pump, screen, and other parts to function. If the parts fail, you may have problems using your well or obtaining water from it. The toxic materials mentioned above may also be able to enter or invade your well's water.
Now that you understand the problems your well faces, you can take steps to maintain it properly.
How Do You Maintain Your New Well?
First, contact an environmental control contractor or well contractor for services. A contractor will inspect your well to see if it requires cleaning or repairing, particularly the pump and cap. The pump should be able to draw or transport water into the well and into your home properly. The cap should be secure enough to keep pests, dirt, and other contaminants out of the well. A contractor will complete a thorough inspection of these parts and others during the visit.
After a contractor checks your well and its parts, they'll test the quality of your water. Your water should be clear and free of pathogens. Water that's brown, red, or another color may contain pathogens and chemicals. If the tests reveal these problems, a contractor can take steps to purify and clean your water.
It's important to monitor the quality of your water and well after the checkup. If you notice changes in your water or well, contact a contractor immediately. You may need to replace or repair the pump, screen, or another important part.
It's crucial that you maintain your well properly. If you have any immediate problems with your well, contact a contractor or environmentalist who offers repairs for wells today.