If you’re new to rural living, you’re probably new to the whole well water situation. It probably seems like there’s a lot to keep track of – and there is! It’s a big responsibility to be in charge of making sure your water is safe to drink, but the benefits are innumerable. Every day you turn on your tap, you know that the water you’re drinking is clean and healthy. You made it that way, and you know that’s how it’s going to stay…or at least that’s how it usually goes. Sometimes though, you’ll find that you need to call a well expert.
A properly maintained well will undoubtedly stay safe for a long time – up to fifty years or more in some cases! However, it can be tricky to know what to look out for if this is your first encounter with well water systems. In this article, we discuss when it might be time for you to call a well expert for their knowledge or assistance.
If you’re just starting out
This one’s easy. If you don’t have a well and are interested in installing one, you need to call a well expert. Not only are hand-dug wells unsafe, many municipalities just won’t let you have one for home use purposes. You want a drilled well, and there are so many variables to consider that the untrained consumer won’t know to look out for. Things like the height of the water table, the composition of the rock making up the substrate, potential contaminants… And what equipment you’ll need to keep your whole system running. Once you’ve got a well of your own – And pumps, filtration, pressure tanks, so on and so forth – You’ll want to keep an eye out for signs that your equipment needs some love.
Keep an eye on your power bill
Your well systems are going to need power. This goes without saying. However, they should be pulling a certain amount of energy, which will vary from system to system. If you notice a sudden spike in your electrical bill or suddenly see it double, there’s a good chance something’s gone wrong with your pumping system.
Manufacturers grade pumps to pull in water at a specific rate. If a pipe gets clogged or damaged or pressure is lost, or any number of things happen, your pump will have to work harder and harder to compensate for the loss in efficiency to deliver the water you need. If you notice a spike in your electrical bill after running your water system, it’s not just the electrical company you should call. Contact the professionals who installed your well because it is time for a checkup.
If you need an inspection
Well systems and pumps can be hard to get at, and you run the risk of damaging some pretty essential equipment if you go rooting around in there without knowing what you’re doing. Regular testing of your well water is a part of knowing your system is working correctly and can help point to flaws in your line.
Air bubbles in your water line
If your pipes start rattling or your faucet starts sputtering, you’ve got air in the line. As your pump rises above the water table, it draws in the air along with water, and this can increase your risk of contaminants. This can also be an indicator of a damaged pipe, which also puts you at risk of contamination. Any time your water starts to sputter consistently, it’s time to service your well in some way or another and to do that, you’ll need professional help. If you notice any of these issues, give us a call, and we’ll advise you on your next step and even help you arrange a check-up on your systems.
