Water Well Cleanouts
Water wells, just like everything else in your home, will require maintenance from time to time. It is suggested to have a well cleaned out every 7-15 years, depending on your particular well. We pride ourselves in saving your existing well where most companies will simply suggest that "you need a new well drilled." In this case, a second opinion is HIGHLY recommended. The two main complaints we receive, that would require a clean out, are running out of water and getting debris.
In Western Pennsylvania, we've seen a lot of iron and other minerals in the water. These minerals, over time, start to plug off the cracks and crevices that feed the water to the well. Other times the debris/minerals will build up on the sides of the well, and all of the equipment inside the well. Over time, it falls to the bottom of the well, and will cause buildup around the pump. If this happens, you will either begin running out of water, or your well will start to pump debris.
Every well is different, and we do treat them all accordingly. Other less common problems can include:
- Faulty Casing Seals - usually show up as dirty water when it rains
- Collapsed Wells - will present itself as low flow and dirty water
- Stuck pumps - found when a service on a pump is required and it is unable to easily be removed from well
Other problems do arise from a well not having a well liner at time of construction. Not all wells require a liner, but we come in contact with many that should have had one installed at the time of drilling. In this case, we are fully capable of spotting these wells and installing the liner, if in fact the customer decides they are willing to incur the cost to fix the well. This is the only way to resolve some well issues, to cut down on the minerals in the water well.
Types Of Rigs Used To Perform Cleanouts
We use a Cable Tool Drill Rig to perform the task. We have found this to be the best and most effective tool for the job.
Many companies utilize an Air Rotary Rig, using high pressure air to "blow" a well out and "blow" the iron and minerals deeper into the cracks and crevices feeding the well. This can make water production even worse, most times, resulting in having to drill the well deeper. It adds unnecessary costs including, price per foot, additional pipe and wire, and a need for a larger pump.
Other companies use a
Bailing Rig,
which is a cable tool rig without the drill tools, which is the most important and effective part of the well cleaning process.
We will use the drill tools to effectively surge the well, causing a rapid cycle of positive to negative pressure to message the iron and other minerals and debris out of the column of the well.
