As we near our cold months in Kannapolis, NC it is important to be prepared in every aspect of home maintenance, and this includes your well and pump systems.  If components of your well or pump freeze, you could lose water and also need emergency repair.

Here are a few tips to get you started!

• Make sure your well house is properly sealed.  Take a walk around your well house and inspect it for cracks or spots that you can see light through. 
• Insulation.  Since pipes are prone to freezing in our colder months, they can break.  You can wrap your popes in heat tape or insulation to ensure they won't freeze.  Be sure to also insulate your tank, and around the interior of your well house.
  
• Use heat.  Heat lamps and heaters are an easy way to keep your well house (and all the parts inside) from getting too cold and freezing.  When using this method be sure that there aren't any obstructions inside your well house that could become a potential fire hazard.  

If you have any issues administering these maintenance tips, feel free to give us a call and we will have someone come out and prepare your well for you. 

Part of owning a water well is having a well pump that performs properly.  Most of the work we do here at Wright Well & Pump is pump repair and maintenance. Your pump won't just stop working one day, unless something happens like a switch getting blown.  Most of the time it slowly just starts to decline.

Here are some things to look out for that may be evidence of a declining pump system

-You could experience a decrease in water pressure.

-Air coming through your faucet with your water.

-Sand or sediment in your water.

-Any change in your water quality.

-Strange sounds your pump may be making.

-Electric bills that are higher than usual, with no change in the amount of electricity you may be using in your home.

If you live in Kannapolis, or surrounding areas and you are experiencing any of these signs that your well pump may be acting up, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 704-933-9040.  We will be happy to come and inspect your well pump and give you a quote!

Here in the Carolinas we are on our second day post Hurricane/Tropical Storm Florence.  There has been much devastation to our local areas, some are still underwater today.  We were lucky enough, here in Kannapolis, to just get rain and some wind over the weekend.  Around the area some customer's lawns may still be soft from all the rainfall, and some may have had damage from tree branches and other debris that got tossed around with those 40 mph winds that Florence brought to us.  There could have been damage to well coverings and even your well pump inside of the covering, so do not hesitate to give us a call if you notice anything has been destroyed or changed in any way because of the storm.  Note any changes in your water quality also!  If you have any concerns about your well, contact us today and we will have someone out A.S.A.P to assess!

Drilled wells are constructed by percussion or rotary-drilling machines. Drilled wells can be thousands of feet deep and require the installation of casing. Drilled wells have a lower risk of contamination due to their depth and use of continuous casing. 

1. Well descriptions adapted from the U.S. Geologic Survey, Groundwater Wells (2016)

Well Components

• Well Casing is the tube-shaped structure placed in the well to maintain the well opening from the target ground water to the surface. Along with grout, the casing keeps dirt and excess water out of the well. This helps prevent contaminants from less desirable groundwater from entering the well and mixing with the drinking water. Some states and local governing agencies have laws that require minimum lengths for casing. The most common materials for well casing are carbon steel, plastic, and stainless steel. Local geology often dictates what type of casing can be used.
• Well Caps are placed on top of the well casing to prevent debris, insects, or small animals from getting into the well. Well caps are usually made of aluminum or plastic. They include a vent to control pressure during well pumping.
• Well Screens are attached to the bottom of the casing to prevent too much sediment from entering the well. The most common well screens are continuous slot, slotted pipe, and perforated pipe.
• Pitless Adapter is a connector that allows the pipe carrying water to the surface to remain below the frost line. It provides ensures that a sanitary and frost-proof seal is maintained.
• Jet Pumps are the most commonly used pumps for shallow wells (depth of 25 feet or less). Jet pumps are mounted above ground and use suction to draw water from the well.
• Submersible Pumps are the most commonly used pumps for deep private wells. The pumping unit is placed inside the well casing and connected to a power source on the surface.

Well component descriptions adapted from the National Ground Water Association (2017)

Well Location & Construction

Proper well location and construction are key to the safety of your well water. The well should be located so rainwater flows away from it. Rainwater can pick up harmful bacteria and chemicals on the land’s surface. If this water pools near your well, it can seep into it and potentially cause health problems. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has an excellent web page on well siting.
Appropriate well construction depends on local geologic and groundwater conditions. Your state water-well contractor licensing agency, your local health department, or a local water system professional can provide information on proper well construction. The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) provides a guide for hiring a water system professional that covers key considerations.