Wells are essential in rural towns and neighborhoods outside of city water lines. They’re also important in agricultural operations for livestock and irrigation. Wells used in residential areas provide water for bathing, drinking, and more.
When you picture a well, you might think of wishing wells with a bucket and handle to draw up water. While these traditional wells still exist, they’re not the ones your home runs on. Rather, modern homes are connected to an entire well system. This includes components to regulate water pressure and run water through pipes to supply areas and storage points.
At Blue Heron, we understand the importance of modern well systems. To keep our clients informed, we’ve put together a quick guide on wells and how they work.
Components of a Well System
A well is made up of several components working together to get water where it needs to go. In residential systems, this includes:
- Well – Stores and supplies water to the house.
- Pressure Tank – Water is stored in the pressure tank before being supplied to individual parts of the house.
- Well Cap – Covers the top of the well to seal it from contaminants, including animals.
- Pump – The electric pump goes inside the well and pushes water upward toward the house.
- Casing – Casing is installed to support the hole and prevent it from crumbling in on itself.
Building the Well
Building a well requires a team of professionals and an assortment of tools. There are several variables to consider before construction of the well gets underway, including the size of the home and the number of outlets needed for the kitchen, multiple bathrooms, basement, laundry room, etc.
Location is also an important factor. The soil needs to be of stable consistency. Your contractor will look at things like the availability of water and how deep they can drill in any particular area on your property.
Potential contaminants are another thing to be mindful of when putting in a well. Keeping your well far from your septic tank, for example, is mandatory to avoid potential cross-contamination should there be a leak.
Maintaining Your Well
The key to well longevity is having your well maintained by a professional regularly. Wells should be serviced annually, including:
- A test for bacteria and other contaminants
- Inspection of interior components like pressure switch and well tank pressure
- Inspection of exterior components like well cap
Some people don’t realize the impact of yard work on your well system. We usually recommend households with wells be extra careful when mowing lawns or using any other big machinery. Wells are durable, but if you crack the exterior or damage the cap, it could lead to bigger problems.
Like lawn care, when winter weather strikes, keep a look out for wear and tear on your well exterior. It’s bad enough that when the snow melts, the water line rises. There’s also the risk that ice could damage the well exterior. This is why it’s critical to treat cracks as soon as they appear.
Well Safety
To keep your well safe for drinking and household use, you should also be mindful of what you store near it. Things like the spare gas can, pesticides and fertilizers, and even paint cans and cleaning chemicals can poison your well water.
It’s also important to keep your well covered and safely marked. This is especially true for families with children who may get curious about the well.
Contact Blue Heron Today
When you work with our team at Blue Heron, you can expect high-quality well service and exceptional customer service every time. We take great pride in the services we offer and are consistently updating to meet more customer needs. To chat with one of our experienced professionals today, call our local office, or reach out through our online contact page.