Unless you’re really into Little House on the Prairie, chances are you’d prefer not to manually lift buckets of water out of a deep well several times a day. So be sure to give your modern-day alternative, the water well pump, some occasional maintenance—lest you should experience a ‘Wilder’ existence in the near future.
Leave it to the professionals
This is one of those cases where any physical maintenance of your system is best left to those with the right training and equipment. Many well-meaning homeowners have tried to fix an ‘easy’ water well pump problem, only to make it worse and more expensive to fix.
You also run the risk of introducing bacteria to your primary water source just by removing the lid—plus there’s the possibility of electrocution when working with submersible pumps. Save yourself a lot of headaches. Call a professional.
When & who to call
Schedule a maintenance check-up for your water well pump once per year with a National Ground Water Association (NGWA) licensed or certified well driller or pump installer. It should include the following:
- An itemized contract w/ terms & conditions for the job
- A flow test
- A well equipment inspection
- A water test for bacteria, nitrates, and/or other local concerns
- A written report with recommendations & test results
If there is anything you don’t understand, ask your contractor to clarify. It’s important for you to know what’s going on with your unit—this is your water supply, after all.
You should also schedule a bacterial test any time there is a change in the taste, odor or appearance of your water, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.
What you CAN do
Even though this is a job for the experts, you still shouldn’t ignore your water well pump. Here are a few things to consider while working in your yard:
- Verify the well cap or cover is sealed with no leaks.
- Take care around your well cap with lawn tools, and don’t bury it under snow, leaves, etc.
- Keep hazardous chemicals away, such as pesticides, fertilizers, etc.
- Keep the top of your well at least one foot above any landscaping.
- When your well reaches its serviceable lifetime (typically at least 20 years), have it professionally decommissioned after the new one has been dug and installed. This will help to prevent bacterial growth, water supply contamination, and possible accidents.
Don’t forage into the old frontier unwillingly. With a little TLC, your water well pump should keep you living in modern times for quite a while.
Visit us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram to tell us your thoughts!