If you have purchased a home on well water, then one of your first orders of business is to get in the habit of regular maintenance. The following guide can walk you through the process of creating a maintenance plan:

#1: Locate the well

The first thing you need to do is locate the well access port. The best case scenario is to do this before you have closed on the house so that you can get the information from the previous owners. Failing this, you can walk the property in search of the well port. You may also be able to guess the location from county property records, or by contacting the service company that previously serviced the well, if known. Failing all else, well maintenance companies provide location services for a fee.

#2: Keep the access port clear

Once you find the port, keep it clear. The access port should be above grade and not covered by plants. If it has been ignored, you may need to clear the area. Many homeowners opt to install a small building or cover over the port. This keeps it free of detritus, as well as preventing ice and snow build up – a major benefit if you have problems and need well service in the winter.

#3: Divert runoff

You don't want runoff from your yard, home, or nearby fields or roads to course toward your well. This water can be polluted, and it can, therefore, pollute your water source. Divert gutters and drainage ditches away from your well. You may need to have culverts or ditches installed if there are major drainage issues surrounding your well.

#4: Schedule annual inspections

A well inspection consists of three points: well and machinery function, water safety, and water quality. Your service tech will begin by making sure the well and wellhead are in good condition. They will then check for flow as well as ensuring that the pump and related machinery is functioning correctly. This is followed by the safety test, where they will test for dangerous chemicals like pesticide runoff, arsenic, lead, and bacteria. Finally, the quality is tested. Poor quality water isn't necessarily dangerous, but a high amount of minerals like lime can affect flavor as well as damage pipes.

By following these four steps, you can ensure your well is in good condition and catch any issues before they become an emergency. Contact a well pump repairs service for more information and assistance.