Getting the right well connected is a vital part of your home’s water supply. Whether you’re installing a new well or repairing an existing one, there are many things to consider before starting the process.
Identifying the Right Well Site
Your property’s geology and soil composition can influence your decision on where to drill for groundwater. It’s also important to choose a location that is free from potential sources of contaminants. This includes septic systems, waste disposal lines, barnyards, animal feedlots and buried fuel tanks that can all affect the quality of your groundwater.
It’s also crucial to choose a well that is deep enough to handle fluctuations in the water table throughout the year. In some areas, the water table can rise and fall by as much as a foot or more. This is because it depends on how much rain your region gets and how long the underlying groundwater is exposed to it.
Installing the Well Pump
Once you’ve determined where to drill, it’s time to decide on a type of pump that will be most suitable for your water supply. There are three main types of pumps, including jet, submersible and pressure. Choosing the right one can make all the difference in how easy or difficult it is to connect your deep well.
Jet Pumps
Jet pumps are the most common type of pump for wells. They are essentially a small, electric motor-driven pump that uses a nozzle to create suction that sucks water from the ground.
You can purchase these pumps at most hardware stores and many home improvement centers. They’re available in several sizes, from a few dollars to about $200.
They’re not cheap, but they are worth the investment if you’re concerned about your well’s ability to keep up with demand. They’re more reliable than submersible pumps, which can run dry if the water level dips too low.
The next step is to connect the well pipe, which can be a simple process. The most common type of pipe used for a deep well is black polyethylene. You can use screw clamps to hold the pipe together, but you’ll need a propane torch or a hot air gun to heat and soften the black poly so that you can make good connections.
Depending on the soil composition, you may need to drill a steel casing and concrete to protect the pipe from rot and other damage. This is done for the sake of safety and to ensure that the well’s water is not contaminated with sand, dirt or other debris.
It’s also a good idea to install a pump pressure tank that can be easily removed when the water runs out. This will allow you to refill the well in the future without having to return to the drill site.
If you’re going to add a pressure tank, it’s a good idea to drill bleeder orifices about two feet apart. This will help keep the water from draining out before it can reach the pressure tank, which will help reduce damage to the pump and save you money on maintenance.
