Simple Pump Maintenance Tips
For many Americans, owning a well provides their home with a direct, and often times naturally occurring, source of water. However, a well is only as good as the quality and quantity of water that it provides throughout the year. Failing to properly maintain your well can cause the water to become contaminated and can increase the likelihood that you will encounter complications during the winter months. To avoid these pesky issues, we have gathered together a few helpful well maintenance tips.
Top 5 Tips For a Functioning Well
If you want to keep your well functioning throughout the year, then be sure to take a look at the following five tips.
- Tip 1: Test for bacteria on an annual basis. If your well starts to grow bacteria, then it could mean that the water supply is no longer safe for human consumption.
- Tip 2: Pay for a routine chemical analysis, which should be completed every 1, 3, or 5 years.
- Tip 3: Keep great records. Nothing is worse than thinking that your well will always be a gushing source of water only to find that it has unexpectedly run dry. To avoid the latter situation, be sure to measure your well water levels on a annual basis. You should also measure the water levels when your well is full, as well as when it is pumping.
- Tip 4: Shock chlorinate your well on an annual or bi-annual basis to help get rid of any harmful bacteria.
- Tip 5: Keep an eye out for anything unusual; for example a change in color or smell.
With these tips in mind, you can help to ensure that your well will be continuous source of valuable water.
Advice on Winterizing Your Well Water Pump
If you plan on using your well throughout the year, then you will need to be sure that the well water pump is properly winterized. The following guidelines will help you to keep the pump safe from damage when the temperatures drop below freezing.
- Remove exterior dirt from the surface of the well water pump.
- Repaint any exposed metal to avoid oxidation. Be sure to use a chromate-free and lead-free paint.
- Check and repair any piping system leaks before the colder weather arrives.
- Create a shelter for the pump from any winter elements. Make sure that the pump still has access to air; otherwise it will not function properly.
- As needed, use heaters and piping insulation on the pipes connected to the well water pump. The latter steps will keep the pipes from freezing in the winter and prevent broken pipes and a cracked pump casing.
With these guidelines in mind, you will be well on your way to ensuring that your well water pump has been properly winterized. Taking additional maintenance precautions throughout the year can keep your well working at the highest efficiency levels. To learn more about maintaining your well or winterizing your water well pump, contact the experts at Irrigation Outlet today. Irrigation Outlet specializes in providing well maintenance, irrigation, and other home advice to homeowners. Contact a member of the Irrigation Outlet team today to answer any questions you might have about your specific well water pump needs.
