As a homeowner with a well on your property, it's important that you know not only how to maintain your well under normal conditions, but also what special situations may necessitate additional maintenance or attention. After all, there are some uncommon occurrences that can have a seriously detrimental effect on your well if you don't respond to those occurrences properly. Here's a look at a couple of important things that you should consider to ensure adequate well maintenance and care on your property.

Be Cautious About Property Improvements

If you are planning significant property improvements or any structural changes to your property, you need to take your well into consideration in the plans. Remember that any significant changes to your property may potentially also affect groundwater supplies, including your well. Additionally, some changes could threaten the structural integrity of your well.

For example, if you plan to add livestock to your property, you need to be sure that the pastures and housing areas are not positioned so that runoff from those areas reaches the area near your well. Otherwise, you could have animal-contaminated runoff leech into your well.

Additionally, if you're building new structures on your property, they need to be placed some distance from your well and your drain field. Otherwise, you could potentially risk damaging the well structure with the added weight in the well's immediate vicinity.

Have your well tested after any kind of major work on your property. Testing will ensure that there are no contaminants that have been introduced to your groundwater as a result of the construction and upheaval on the property. You may also want to have the water treated for any potential chemical contamination.

Be Attentive To Your Planting

Avoid planting trees or deep-rooting shrubs anywhere near your well or your drain field. Make sure you are aware of not only where your well cover is, but also the plumbing lines that run from your well to your home. That way, you can avoid planting anywhere where roots could potentially obstruct the lines.

Similarly, part of your routine well maintenance should be to keep the grass trimmed cleanly away from the well cover and have your well inspected regularly for any signs of root intrusion or similar damage.

Plan For Maintenance Immediate After A Flood

Even properties that aren't in a marked flood zone can experience flooding as a result of a natural disaster or even a broken water main. Make sure that you take the time to have your well inspected, tested, and even cleaned if necessary after any kind of flooding on your property.

This is important because flood runoff can often introduce all sorts of contaminants, including chemicals and other hazards, into your groundwater. Avoid using your well water after a flood until you've had it thoroughly tested and treated.

If you find that you need a water well pump repair, speak to a local company about what you should do next.