Does Your Greater Indianapolis Home Need Well Drilling & Well Maintenance?
Whether it’s a well for a new home or a replacement well for an existing property, drilling and maintaining a private water well in Central Indiana requires some important considerations. The geology behind well production can drastically vary as you move around the metropolitan Indianapolis area and beyond. Greater Indianapolis is rapidly connecting to city water, but private water wells are still ubiquitous. The water source for your family is extremely important and we are here to help you make sure you can provide the best quality possible. In this post, we will present some factors for the water well drilling process in addition to how to maintain your private water well.
The Well Drilling Process
Find the Laborers
Before you hire a company to drill your private water well, make sure to do your due diligence. Are they licensed, insured, and bonded to work in your area? Different towns and municipalities have various rules and regulations for contractors, so be sure to make sure the contractor you choose can legally work in the area where your well needs drilled. You can check the Indiana DNR for a list of licensed well drillers in your area.
Also, be sure to check the reputation of well-drilling contractors. The Better Business Bureau, Google reviews, and the Indiana Ground Water Association are great resources to verify the credibility, character, and conduct of the company you hire.
Figure out your Location
Locating groundwater is a much more exacting method than simply drilling holes in the ground. C&J employs several proven techniques that include surveying and research to name a couple. We like to pick places to drill that are safe for everyone involved and convenient for our clients. The first drill does not always produce a well, so we rely on some industry guidelines and proprietary secrets to find quality potable water. Underground aquifer conditions in Indiana can vary greatly—even within a few miles—so be sure to hire a contractor with experience in your area. C&J has been drilling wells all over Indiana for over 25 years, so we have vast experience with water well conditions
Follow the Law
Indiana code has very stringent rules and regulations for private water wells and those who drill them. They require a license for well drillers and pump installers, and taking the test is no small task. Water well drillers and pump installers are also required to get permits and send in well logs, so be sure the company you hire is familiar with these processes.
The initial process of drilling a well requires you to do some research and investigation, but your responsibility doesn’t end after the well is drilled and the pump is set. You’ll also need to plan on maintaining your private water well for as long as you own your home.
Maintaining Your Water Well
System Inspection
Just like you get your HVAC system checked, or change out the batteries in your smoke detector, a well system needs regular system checks. C&J recommends you get an annual inspection of the water well system components. Our 6-Point Inspection evaluates the water flow in your home, analyzes the health of wiring and piping, checks the pressure of your tank, test amps of your pump, and even samples your water for dangerous bacteria.
Scheduled Cleanout
Another important aspect of private water well maintenance is a well cleanout at least every ten years. What we do is remove your submersible pump out of the well, lower a high out-put air line into the well, and airlift your years of built-up sediment and gunk out of the top of the well. This procedure helps prevent your pump from getting stuck during regular—or emergency—maintenance, keeps your well screen from getting clogged, and keeps your other well system components from premature failure.
Stringent Testing
Maintaining your water well means regularly monitoring your water quality. Testing for bacteria and metals like arsenic and lead should be done at least annually. Depending upon where you live in Indiana, you may need to get more advanced tests done for nitrates, nitrites, pesticides, or pollutants. More and more areas in Indiana are also finding “Forever chemicals” like PFOA and PFAS in their groundwater.
All of these contaminants can cause serious health issues, so make sure to take responsibility for the water quality in your home. You will also want to get your water tested for hardness materials, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. These elements can create damage to your plumbing and appliances as well as cause other water problems like bad taste, bad odors, and stains on your sinks and tubs.
Select Treatment
Part of maintaining your private water well and monitoring the water quality is water treatment equipment. As mentioned in the previous section, your water might contain contaminants and additional equipment is required to mitigate these undesired impurities. No matter what your tests reveal, we have the equipment to treat it. From water softeners to ultraviolet lights, we have water treatment solutions to fit your family’s needs.
If you live in the greater Indianapolis area or beyond, and are in need of water well drilling, service, or maintenance—or just need some advice—contact the pros at C&J!
