Your well doesn’t come without potential water problems, but the earlier you catch them, the easier they are to correct. Well water has a host of benefits. It’s free (except for the annual maintenance and initial digging, of course), which frees you from being dependent on city resources. Many well users swear it tastes better, too, thanks to the abundance of natural minerals. These minerals aren’t just tasty, but also good for you. There’s something great about living a little off the grid, depending on your own well for drinking, bathing and filling your washer and dishwasher.
So, what’s the catch? The homeowner is ultimately responsible for the safety of their well. City water users are wholly dependent on the local government for providing them with a clean, healthy product. Wells are known for a few common problems, and they’re not all obvious. In some instances, you might notice your water tastes, looks or smells different. If so, call a well maintenance technician immediately and stop using the water, just in case. However, rest assured that many times changes in taste or smell aren’t a health threat.
Here are a few of the most common problems that need addressing when you have a well:
1. Soft water: Can water be too soft? Yes. Oftentimes it is caused by over-softening. It’s not dangerous, but it feels slippery and slimy, which isn’t very appealing. It’s good for the plumbing, but if you just don’t like it you can adjust the softening features. A reputable well technician can help you with this task so your water is ideal for you (and your pipes).
2. Hard water: This is the real culprit. Hard water can damage your plumbing and lead to debilitating stains, and that hardness might be caused by minerals that are harmful to human health. Fortunately, testing and treatment for this problem is easy. Using a variety of techniques, your well technician can soften your water with ease and within your budget.
3. Contaminated water: Well water can become contaminated in a number of ways. Flash floods or heavy rain, an improperly dug well, lack of maintenance and an abundance of farm animals (and what they leave behind) can all lead to contamination. Unfortunately, without regular testing you may never know if your well is contaminated. Schedule testing at least bi-annually, because you can never be too safe — and contaminated water doesn’t always look or smell contaminated.
Other problems may include low pressure, a rusty-looking appearance and no water. Oftentimes, these issues can be addressed quickly with the help of a technician. Contact Mike Zimmerman Well Services today to schedule your water test or routine inspection.
