It’s Winter, have you seen your Well cap lately?
As the snow and ice slowly pile up outside over the course of the Winter here in New Hampshire, it’s easy to lose track of where your Well is located. The 6″ piece of pipe that normally sticks up above ground slowly disappears, which Is why I’m raising the question “Have you seen your Well Cap lately”.
Bedrock Well construction has come a long way from it’s Rustic beginning. Sanitary seals used in today’s modern Wells hold back surface Waters that may contain Bacteria and other contaminants. Modern Well Caps have a Flanged design that incorporates a rubber seal and an air vent with screen.
For proper design of a new Well Cap should be at least 18 inches above grade. This will keep the Well Cap and Air Vent above any surface water. As the Ice gets thicker and thicker and surface water run off starts to flow above the ice, that 18 inches of pipe starts to become more and more important.
I have seen many homes where the excavator has returned to the site and back filled the well so much that the Well cap is only 6 inches above grade. Also homes where the homeowner has created nice rock gardens around the Well, practically burying the Well. When the ice and snow come the surface water can enter the Well and problems start. If you would like information on how to professionally sanitize a well please visit our website at www.secondwindwatersytems.com.
If your Well doesn’t extend up high enough there is always the possibility of welding on an extension. Older Well Caps can be replaced with new ones. Many older Well Caps are only held on by 4 set screws with no gasket to seal out Water. The Air vent is also important because if it isn’t screened properly wildlife will take up refuge in the well during Winter. If a piece of black plastic pipe going to the Well Cap (usually containing wires) has become disconnected, it should be fixed as soon as possible. The hole left behind by the disconnected pipe is large enough for wildlife to enter.
So, if you haven’t seen your Well Cap lately, remember that there are things that you can do to keep your water supply sanitary even during Winter.
Thank you for your continued support of Secondwind Water Systems. We truly appreciate your business and referrals. If you have any Water questions please visit our website at www.secondwindwatersystems.com or call 1-800-287-5767. Until next time this is Chris Saltmarsh CWS-6 saying, “Thanks for reading!, have you seen your Well Cap lately, enjoy your great water”…
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