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Water Well Casings: Leak Issues and Repair Solutions

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics on your water well casing. One of the single most important components in a water well, the casing helps not only support the well itself, but also prevent contaminants from making their way into your drinking supply.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re happy to explain any details of water well casings to you during well drilling and installation, well rehabilitation or any of the other water well services we provide. It’s important to protect well casings and keep an eye out for any potential signs of damage or resulting leaks, which can lead to significant issues if they aren’t prevented – today’s part two of our series will go over how to understand and spot these signs, plus how damaged well casing will be repaired.

water well casings leak repair

Causes of Water Well Casing Leaks

There are several potential causes of cracks or leaks in water well casings:

  • Time: Over a long period of time, whether due to ground shifting, a natural disaster like an earthquake or nearby blasts from a construction site, cracks may develop in water well casing.
  • Object damage: In other cases, stones or other objects that press up against the casing may also damage it, leading to defective seams that will allow groundwater and contaminants into your water supply.
  • Lightning strike: Rarer, but can cause well casing damage.
  • Corrosion: For those with steel casing installed, corrosion over time may lead to wear-down and even damage of the casing itself.

Be sure to inspect casing regularly, especially the section that sticks up above the ground – this part is exposed to the elements and has especially high cracking risks.

Signs to Look For

There are a few common signs of potential casing leaks to look out for:

  • Sand, dirt, sediment or other contaminants in your water supply with no other explanation.
  • A gradual decrease in water flow over time, also with no other explanation.
  • Water filters suddenly need replacement much more often than previously.

Repair Process

If you notice any of the above signs, call our water well professionals right away. We’ll perform a process where we lower a camera into the well to thoroughly inspect the casing and other areas. If we determine there is indeed a casing leak or similar issue in your well, how we proceed will depend on whether it’s a single minor leak or multiple major ones – the former situation generally allows a simple repair sleeve or well liner for repair, but the latter may require more significant repairs.

For more on water well casing issues and repairs, or to learn about any of our water well drilling or rehabilitation services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Water Well Casings: Basics and Material Choice

There are several important components that make up a water well on a private property, and one of these is the well casing. Vital for protecting and maintaining the well opening, the well casing will be present for virtually any well you see – and needs to be protected itself from risks like cracking or other damage.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re happy to offer numerous water well installation and rehabilitation services, including for wells where casing damage or related issues are becoming a problem. What exactly is the well casing, and which areas within its operation should you be keeping an eye on? Here are some basics to be aware of.

water well casings basics material

Water Well Casing Definition

The water well casing refers to a tube-shaped structure that largely defines the shape of the well itself. It provides a sealed pathway allowing water to flow to the top of the well without any risks of contamination or sediment formation. It also supports the wall of the well, stopping any loose rock fragments or gravel from collapsing.

In most cases, residential well casing will measure between four and six inches in width. For commercial wells, on the other hand, casing will generally be significantly wider depending on the well requirements. Well casings will typically be topped with a plastic or aluminum cap that keeps various contaminants and pests out, plus will help control the water pressure during the pumping phase.

Local Regulations

In certain states or even distinct local areas, there are government regulations for water well casings. These will typically feature areas like minimum lengths and recommended materials, or may dig into a few other details as well. Speak with our pros to be sure you’re compliant with any casing regulations in your area.

Choosing Casing Material

There are several materials available that are often used for water well casings, the most common of which will be steel (carbon or stainless) or plastic, particularly PVC casings in this latter area. The latter, in fact, has been growing significantly in popularity over recent years due to its durability and corrosion resistance.

When choosing the ideal material for your water well casing, there will be several important variables to keep in mind. First and foremost, you must consider the local regulations we went over above if they apply here. Secondly, consider the type of equipment being used and the cost. Your water well installer will also advise you on several important areas of chemistry and geology, such as whether water pH levels indicate corrosion risks – in which case you would want to go with PVC casing, which resists multiple forms of corrosion.

For more on your water well casing, or to learn about any of our water well drilling or rehabilitation services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Well Pump Replacement Costs: Location, Method and More

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basic factors that play a role in determining the cost of a well pump replacement. Your water well’s pump may wear down before other components in the system and require replacement – and how much this will cost you will vary depending on several variables.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re happy to offer a variety of well pump service and repair solutions, including replacement of the component when this becomes necessary for your well. We’ll also help you understand exactly how much this service will cost depending on the qualities of your well and some other factors – which we’ll go over further in today’s part two of our series.

well pump replacement costs location

Location of the Well Pump

There are certain situations where the physical location of the well pump itself will either raise or lower the cost of a replacement for this component. The primary location-related element here involves whether or not the pump and well are buried.

In cases where the well and pump are buried, there will be more effort undertaken to locate the components, possibly involving some advanced tools and techniques. If the pump itself is underground, it will have to be dug up, which can take significant labor. These costs may add up and significantly increase pump replacement charges – but if the pump and well are not buried or are only lightly buried, the costs will drop correspondingly.

Other Components

Also at play here is the status of other components in your well, which is made up of more than just a pump. For instance, we’ll also look at your pipes and pressure tank – if these are both in good condition, this will limit the costs of your pump replacement to this area alone. However, if either of these areas are worn down or damaged beyond repair, they must be replaced as well, and the entire project will rise in cost.

Form of Replacement

Finally, perhaps the single largest variable at play here when it comes to the cost and convenience of a well pump replacement is the method you choose. Unless you have specific training in water wells and their components, we strongly recommend leaving these kinds of jobs to our professionals – while our costs will be higher than a DIY job up front, the potential long-term cost of sub-professional-level replacements is absolutely massive. When issues arise, how will you know how to remedy them? This is assuming you perform the installation correctly, which is a major reach given the specified training and equipment usage such a well pump installation requires.

For more on the factors that determine the cost of your well pump replacement, or to learn about any of our water well drilling or rehabilitation services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Well Pump Replacement Costs: Averages, Type and Size

As one of the single most important components in any water well, the well pump is also one well owners will spend some of the most time thinking about. Properly cared-for pumps will last up to 15 years, but those that are not cared for well will risk wearing down far sooner than this – in either case, there will eventually come a point where well pump replacement is necessary.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re happy to offer numerous well pump services, including well pump replacement and other services if your pump has worn down and is not providing the proper services anymore. If our well professionals determine that the time has come to replace your well pump, what should you expect to pay? Furthermore, which factors will impact this cost you can be expecting? This two-part blog series will go over everything you need to know.

well pump replacement costs type

Basic Average Figures

Firstly, let’s just go over some common averages for well pump replacement costs to give you a baseline on what you can expect to pay. The nationwide average for replacing a well pump, including the labor involved and every part of the process, lands just shy of $1,650, with the lower bound around $925 and the upper bound just above $2,400. For deeper well projects, the average cost tends to increase closer to $2,000 or more.

However, there are several other factors that can and often do heavily impact these costs. These include the pump type, the well size and depth, the location of the well, and several others – which we’ll go over in our subsequent sections.

Pump Type

One of the single largest variables impacting the cost of a well pump replacement is the type of pump being used in the well. There are several such types: Submersible, deep jet, shallow jet, and also hand or solar pump options. These range significantly in costs, with submersible, deep and shallow jets often retailing for as low as $100 to $200 – but also potentially reaching as high as $1,000 or even higher. Solar options, on the other hand, tend to be the most expensive, and will run over $2,000 for the part alone in most cases.

Well Size

Also important here is well size, both in terms of width and depth. Deeper wells will obviously require a deep pump, which tends to be a bit more expensive than a shallow pump – but not that much more, in reality. In addition, wider and deeper wells will involve more labor for a pump replacement, which will increase the cost to some degree.

For more on what determines the final cost of a water well pump replacement, or to learn about any of our well pump or other well rehabilitation services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Red Flags of a Water Well Going Dry, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the red flags that might indicate a water well that’s going dry. Water levels in a well are determined by a few different variables, and there could be several different related reasons why a well dries up, but the impact on your system will often give off a number of common indicators that this is happening.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re happy to offer water well repair and service to go along with our detailed well drilling and installation services. We’ve assisted many water well owners with a well that’s drying up, either due to climate conditions or some previous error by another installer. Here are a few of the other major signs to watch out for if this is happening, allowing you to note the issue and call our water well pros right away for assistance.

red flags water well dry

Sputtering Faucets

If your faucets in several areas of the home have begun sputtering frequently, and especially if this sort of thing is not common from any of your fixtures, this is often a sign of a drying well. This is generally because the well itself contains more air than water, and the pump is pulling in significant amounts of air along with whatever water is left.

This leads to much of that air being expelled through your faucets, and this combined with the lower quantities of water will create this sputtering effect. You may also notice water leaking from the base of faucets for similar reasons.

Bubbles

As you’re likely aware, your water well uses groundwater to meet your home’s water needs. In some cases – cases that are more common if a well is drying up – the water may also contain various liquids or gases, and it’s possible for these to mix in with your water.

The most common sign of this happening is bubbles appearing in the water. These may be bubbles from gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide or methane, all of which can be harmful to your health. Luckily, we have simple degassing and aeration treatments to help if this is the case, along with our other programs to raise your water level back to the proper place.

Major Bill Increases

Finally, have you recently noticed that your electricity bill has skyrocketed compared to recent months or the same month in a prior year? This could be because the well is running dry, which can lead to various issues: Clogs due to sediment increases, the use of more electricity for increased pumping and more. If you can find no other cause of a spiking bill, a drying well is a definitely possibility.

For more on how to spot a well that’s drying up, or to learn about any of our water well installation or rehabilitation services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Red Flags of a Water Well Going Dry, Part 1

In certain situations, including those following improper installation or related concerns, some water wells may experience an event known as “going dry.” As the name suggests, this happens when a well’s water levels drop below the point where the well pump can adequately move water into your system.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re here to soothe your anxiety about a drying well by reminding you that this is not necessarily a permanent thing. There are steps we can take to rehabilitate your water well in several ways, including remedying wells that have gone dry and require action to restore their proper water flow. This two-part blog will discuss not only why a water well might go dry, but also the red flags that will indicate to homeowners that their well could be going dry, allowing them to call our water well professionals for assistance.

water well going dry

Factors in Well Water Level

There are several variables that play a role in the level of your water in your well:

  • The actual depth of the well
  • The underground water level in your area
  • Type of aquifer the well taps (this can be either confined or unconfined)
  • Pumping rate within the aquifer
  • Porosity and permeability of underground rock material
  • Amount of recharge taking place due to precipitation or artificial recharge

What are some of the signs your well might be drying or having issues with water level? Our next several sections will investigate.

Muddy Appearance

Is your drinking and tap water showing up muddy rather than the crystal clear aesthetic you’re used to? This is often one of the first signs of a drying well, which will begin to mix in sediment and other dirt as the water level drops to its lowest point. This water will not be healthy to drink and may cause several contaminant-related diseases or conditions, so this is an issue that needs to be remedied by our pros right away.

Taste Changes

Another early sign here will be drinking water with a noticeable change in taste. Those same sediments and other debris pieces will also impact the taste in a few potential ways, but you will definitely notice it once the amounts become large enough.

Pump Running Length

Do you know roughly how long your pump runs for? If so, and if you’ve begun to notice the well pump running for longer periods of time recently, this could be because the water level is too low. The pump struggles to pick up water from the very bottom of the well – sometimes due to human mistakes during installation, or sometimes due to unforeseen climate conditions changing.

For more on the red flags indicating a drying water well, or to learn about any of our water well drilling, repair or other services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Do You Need a Water Softener?

Water from water wells can be hard, and that’s why some Utah homeowners opt to get a water softener. Mike Zimmerman Well Service installs water softeners for all our customers throughout the Wasatch Front.

water softener for water well

What Is Hard Water?

If you aren’t familiar with hard water, it’s water that contains a lot of minerals. These minerals can give water from some water wells a particular taste. Some people like the taste and others don’t. If you don’t like the taste of your water, you can add a filter to your kitchen faucet.

However, if you are unhappy with other aspects of well water, you might want to get a water softener installed where your water enters your home.

Hard Water Reacts with Soap

When you have hard water, the minerals get in the way of the soap doing its job, resulting in some negative consequences.

  • Soap scum can form and stick to the sink or shower walls.
  • It’s harder to get a lather with hard water, so you use more soap without getting cleaner.
  • Rinsing your hair becomes more difficult, and the shampoo can build up and make your hair dull and lifeless.
  • Clothing comes out of the washer dingy and stiff.

Hard Water Can Stain Plumbing Fixtures

Hard water stains can manifest as white residue on faucets or green or rusty brown stains in toilets and sinks that can be difficult to get out. You may also see pink stains in your shower, tub or sink that are actually bacteria that are feeding on the minerals left behind from the water.

Hard Water Can Harm Pipes and Appliances

The minerals in hard water can build up inside pipes, causing them to narrow, which reduces flow. The minerals may also build up inside the lines for your dishwasher, washing machine, ice maker and other hoses and pipes in your home.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, call the Z Team at Mike Zimmerman Well Service. We can install a water softener in your home that filters out minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium.

When you get a water softener installed, you may notice your skin feels slipperier when it gets wet. It’s partly because you have been used to using so much soap, and partly because of the way the water softener works. Adjusting to this is much easier than cleaning hard water stains off your fixtures and clothing, and paying for repairs to appliances.

If you’re not sure if your water is hard, have us test it. Then you can decide whether it’s worth it to get a water softener.

For all your water well concerns, call the friendly, professional team at Mike Zimmerman Well Service.

Well Water: Natural, Clean & Healthy

In many parts of northern Utah, homeowners rely on residential water wells for the water they need to drink, bathe, cook in, clean and more. In the cities, public utilities provide drinking water to residents, most of which comes from the Wasatch Mountain snowpack or the Provo River. While you may not have a choice about whether your water is delivered by the city or by a water pump in your basement, you may be interested to know if well water is good for you, and if it is, why.

benefits of well water

1. Water from Water Wells Is Cheaper

It’s true that with well drilling there is an upfront cost, but over time, you save money by drawing your own water out of the earth instead of paying a utility company every month. If you buy a Utah home that already has a water well, you get all the benefits of well water without any of the costs of well drilling.

2. Water from Water Wells Is Not Chemically Treated

As much as bottled water companies like to put pictures of mountains on their labels, the truth is the mountain runoff is full of bacteria, and the water needs to be treated with chlorine to be safe for drinking. This and other chemicals can give water an unpleasant taste.

3. Water from Water Wells Contains Minerals

We go to the pharmacy and stock up on calcium and magnesium to be healthy, but these occur naturally in well water. If you’re used to bottled or city water and you find it difficult to acclimate to the taste of well water, we can install a water softener in your home.

4. Water from Water Wells Is Safer Than Ever

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service, we perform water well inspections for our customers. We make sure your well is functioning properly and that your water is safe to drink. Get your well inspected once a year, or if you notice any changes to you water, such as a new or different color or smell.

Because it’s important to drink enough water every day, you want to be sure you have clean, safe water that you enjoy the taste of at your disposal. You use your water to make coffee and tea, boil pasta, wash lettuce, launder clothing, wash dishes and shower – water touches so many parts of our lives. We often take it for granted, never even thinking about it. In a way, that’s good, because no one wants to have to worry about the safety of their water. But the Z Team wants you to remember to get your yearly inspection nonetheless, to stay as safe as possible.

For water well drilling and installation, pump service and repair, well inspections and more, contact the Z Team at Mike Zimmerman Well Service.

Water Well Deepening Vs Replacement Choice, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics on deepening an existing water well on your property if you’re dealing with depth issues. This is one primary option at your disposal here; the other is choosing to drill a new well entirely, which is often the prudent choice as well.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re happy to offer both these options and numerous other water well drilling, rehabilitation and repair solutions to meet your needs. While there are many situations where deepening your current well will solve your problems in the most cost-effective way, there are others where a new well drilling process will be the much more efficient solution. Today’s part two will dig into a few such scenarios.

water well deepening replacement

Guaranteed Freshwater Access

One of the top reasons some well owners choose a new well installation over deepening their current well: The latter process offers no true guarantee that you’ll drill down to more fresh water than what’s currently available. While fresh water can often be reached by drilling down further, and the likelihood of it being present grows as you get deeper, you can never truly be sure.

With a brand new water well, however, you have much more control here. There are many additional techniques that can be used to determine fresh water presence before this drilling that are much tougher for an existing well area. Especially for those dealing with depth issues that relate to non-fresh water, going with a new well might be the right move.

Cost Concerns

While we talked in part one about many situations where deepening a well is a low-cost and low-hassle move that’s far more affordable than drilling a new well, there are other circumstances where the opposite is true. Some well deepening projects will be much more complex, requiring a large well rig and tower plus digging around the entire well and pump area.

In addition, if certain initial construction formats were used, deepening a well will be extremely difficult or even impossible in some situations. However, certain components of an existing well can often be used while drilling a new well, which makes this process doubly valuable in these cases.

Allows Improved Drilling Point

Another major benefit of drilling a new well is the ability to choose a more optimal drilling point. The point chosen by a previous installer may not have been ideal based on factors like groundwater quality and depth, but a new installation allows you to consult with our well drillers to locate the best possible drilling spot before beginning the project.

For more on drilling a new water well for depth issues versus deepening it, or to learn about any of our water well drilling or rehabilitation services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Water Well Deepening Vs Replacement Choice, Part 1

There are several possible issues that may develop with an existing well over time, and one of the more common varieties here is depth concerns. Whether due to changing groundwater supplies, poor well digging and installation or any other factor, there may come a point in your water well ownership where making the well deeper is necessary.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we offer not only water well drilling and repair services, but also well rehabilitation in numerous areas. When clients are worried about depth issues in their well, they generally have two options: The process of deepening the existing well, or simply installing a new well from the ground up. Both these approaches have benefits and drawbacks depending on the exact issue and other variables – this part one of this two-part blog series will look at some of the benefits of the deepening process, while part two will go over when it’s typically prudent to replace the well entirely.

water well deepening vs replacement

Improved Water Supply

In many situations, depth issues in a well are brought on by shallow initial digging, or a well that’s under 50 feet in depth. At this depth level, water supply tends to vary pretty significantly – and on top of this, there isn’t as much space for water to be stored.

Well deepening, however, is a quick way to remedy this concern without impacting the entire well setup. Not only are you drilling down to a level where water levels tend to be more consistently plentiful, you’re also creating more storage space within the well for water.

Drought Resistance

In other cases, a drought will be the primary cause of your depth issues. This is common in a desert climate like Utah, where droughts are familiar.

Once again, deepening a well is a great solution here – and not just in the short-term. A deeper well is far more likely to survive through droughts in the future, as they’re further below the water table and are much less prone to going dry.

Increased Water Quality

Another risk of shallow wells: Contamination, which is more likely the closer you get to the surface. A deeper well, naturally, will be further from the surface, meaning it’s much less likely to be impacted by spills, chemical residue or other contaminants. Even if such particles make their way into the well, they will be diluted with clean aquifer water before reaching your actual drinking supply.

Cost Benefits

Finally, there are numerous situations where performing a basic well deepening process is much more affordable than installing an all new well. Many deepening jobs only require cleaning and minor re-drilling, plus limited tasks like extending casing or removing existing pipes and wires.

For more on choosing between deepening your well and drilling a new well entirely, or to learn about any of our water well drilling or rehabilitation services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.