Category Archives: Concerns

Landscaping Approaches Around Your Water Well

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There are a few areas of a given property that may be considered somewhat differently than usual if you have a water well located on the property, and the concept of landscaping in this area is a good example. While you typically won’t need to completely revamp your entire landscape to account for a water well, there are a few approaches you should be considering to ensure that both the well and your landscaping features are in great shape at all times. 

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re here to offer comprehensive well services to clients around Utah, including water well drilling, well pump services and more. And while we are not landscaping professionals, we have extensive experience with water wells and the impact they can have on surrounding vegetation and other components of a landscape. Here are some simple tips on what to do and not to do with regard to landscaping around your well. 

water well pump types maintenance

Ensure Wellhead Visibility

When we talk about the wellhead, we’re referring to the top of the pump that is visible above ground. It’s important to ensure that this wellhead is both visible and accessible at all times, so it can be checked on regularly and serviced when needed. 

Generally speaking, there should be at least 12 inches of clearance between the wellhead and any surrounding vegetation or other landscaping features. This helps to provide access for service if needed, as well as a better view of the area around the wellhead so it can be monitored more effectively.

Drainage and Slope Around Wellhead

Another vital consideration for landscaping around your well is the slope of the land in and around it. The ground should be slightly higher near the wellhead to ensure proper drainage away from the well, as water that pools close by can put it at risk. 

It’s also important not to construct any type of retaining wall or other feature near your wellhead that could cause water accumulation and damage the well itself. If a retaining wall is needed, it should be constructed further away with proper sloping to direct any runoff away from your wellhead area.

Keep Plantings a Reasonable Distance Away

As you’re planning the landscaping around your well, be sure to keep any plantings a reasonable distance away. Trees and other vegetation can actually cause damage to wells, as their roots can grow large enough to interfere with pipes and even potentially disrupt the integrity of the well itself. 

As a general rule, you should try to keep all trees or other significant plantings at least four feet away from the wellhead. This will help to ensure that any roots won’t interfere with your well while still providing some visual landscaping and shade in the area. And if you have any plants or trees that you know have particularly long root systems, it’s a good idea to keep these even further away. 

Keep Fertilizers and Pesticides Far Away

One group of substances that you’ll want to keep far away from your well is fertilizers and pesticides. These chemicals can seep into the ground around the wellhead, potentially compromising both its integrity and the quality of the water it produces by introducing contaminants. 

If you do need to use any type of fertilizer or pesticide on your lawn, make sure that you keep these products at least 100 feet from your wellhead. This will help ensure that any runoff or seepage is far away from the well and doesn’t compromise its quality in any way. 

Use Caution When Working in the Wellhead Area

If you regularly make updates or improvements to your landscaping, be sure to use caution when working near the wellhead area. You should never excavate or otherwise disturb the ground within 25 feet of your wellhead without first consulting with a professional in the field, as this could cause unintended damage to the well itself. 

Confirm Local Restrictions or Requirements

Finally, it’s always a good idea to confirm any local restrictions related to working around your wellhead before making any changes. Each area can have different requirements, so make sure you understand what is expected and allowed in terms of well maintenance and landscaping in your region before doing anything more involved than regular mowing or basic pruning. 

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to maintain a landscape that looks great while also keeping your well in the best possible condition. If you have any questions or concerns about landscaping near your water well or any of our other well services for clients around Utah, don’t hesitate to contact Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

What Qualifies as a Water Well Emergency?

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There are several areas where clients often wonder what qualifies as an emergency versus what can wait a few hours or days for attention, and water wells are a great example. While some minor issues in your well aren’t too severe and can be left for a small period until you’ve had time to arrange a repair appointment, others are significant emergencies that need to be attended to as soon as possible – how do you tell the difference? 

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service, we’re happy to offer a variety of well services for clients around Utah, including well and well pump repairs – and we’re well aware that emergencies sometimes happen in this industry. Here are some examples of water well issues that qualify as emergencies, and what needs to be done to address them.

qualifies water well emergency

Water Discoloration

If you’ve begun to notice major discoloration in your water, it could be a sign of serious issues. This can be caused by anything from rust and sediment to algae or bacteria, which can make your water unsafe for drinking or even just using around the house.

If you notice discoloration in your water, shut off the well immediately and contact an emergency service like Mike Zimmerman Well Service. We’ll be able to assess the issue and provide the necessary repairs or maintenance to restore your water quickly – and safely.

Sudden Pressure Loss

If you suddenly experience a major drop in pressure from your well, it could indicate a serious issue with the pipes leading up from the well. In some cases, this is caused by a leak or break in the pipe, which can lead to major water loss if it’s left unattended.

Shut off your well immediately and contact us for emergency repairs if you experience sudden pressure loss. We’ll be able to assess the issue and provide the necessary repairs to restore your water pressure quickly.

No Water At All

If none of your taps or faucets are providing water, the issue could be with either the well itself or the pump leading up from it. Either way, this is a serious emergency that needs to be attended to right away.

In some cases, issues with pump damage will be the primary culprit. In these situations, Mike Zimmerman Well Service will be able to provide quick emergency repairs or pump replacements.

However, the issue could also be with the well itself. If this is the case, emergency services will be provided to attempt to locate and repair any leaks in the pipes leading up from the well – but if we’re unable to find a leak, it may be a sign of more serious damage.

Extremely Low Water Levels

If you start to notice a drastic drop in your well water levels, it could indicate that the well is running dry – which is an emergency situation. In this case, you’ll need to shut off the well and contact us right away so we can begin to assess the issue.

Our team will be able to evaluate your current water levels and take necessary steps to restore them – whether this involves running a deeper well, repairing the current one, or even relocating it altogether.

Strange Odors

Another serious issue to be aware of is strange odors coming from your taps. This can often indicate a problem with bacteria or other contaminants in the water, which may require immediate filtration and purification services.

If you start to notice strange odors coming from your taps, shut off the well immediately and contact us for emergency services. We’ll be able to test your water for contaminants and take necessary steps to restore it quickly.

Weird Sounds

This last area is one that’s a bit more nuanced – there are certain sounds that don’t really qualify as an emergency, but still need to be addressed quickly. These include strange clicking or clunking noises from your pump, which can indicate that it’s beginning to fail and needs repair or replacement.

If you start to notice these kinds of sounds coming from your water well, shut off the well immediately and contact us for repairs. We’ll be able to assess the issue and provide necessary repairs or maintenance to restore your well quickly.

Ultimately, the best way to ensure that your water well is functioning optimally and safely is by staying vigilant and keeping an eye out for any changes in performance, discoloration, or strange noises. If you notice something suspicious, shut off the well immediately and contact us for emergency services. Our experienced team will be able to assess the issue and provide necessary repairs or maintenance to restore your water quickly – and safely.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we provide a full range of services for all your water well needs – from emergency repairs to general maintenance and beyond. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your Utah water well running smoothly and safely.

Why is My Utah Water Well’s Pump Running Constantly?

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The pump is one of the single most important components on any water well, and if anything goes wrong with it, it’s possible this may disrupt or even halt the well’s ability to send quality water into your home. One such potential issue: When the well pump, instead of turning on and off periodically as it should, instead runs constantly and will not turn off. 

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re happy to provide water well pump service and repair to clients throughout Utah, including situations like this where the pump simply won’t turn off. Why is this a problem for any water well system, and what are some of the possible reasons that might be behind this happening, so you can avoid them in the future? Here’s everything you need to know.

water well pump running constantly

Why a Constantly-Running Well Pump is Problematic

First and foremost, let’s discuss why a constantly-running well pump is problematic in the first place. If you’re not an experienced hand with water wells, you might not realize that your well’s pump shouldn’t be running all the time.

Water pumps are designed to cycle on and off as needed, only turning on when there’s a demand for water (i.e., when someone in your home turns on a faucet, flush a toilet, or runs the washing machine or dishwasher). If the pump is instead running constantly, this means it’s working much harder than it needs to be – and that, in turn, means it’s going to wear out faster.

A water well pump that’s running constantly is also going to increase your monthly energy bills quite a bit, as it’s using up more electricity than it should be. In some cases, the problem might even cause physical damage to the pump itself.

So, those are some of the reasons why you want to avoid having a water well pump that’s constantly running. But what can cause this issue in the first place? Our next several sections will look into this.

Pump is Old/Worn Down

Perhaps the simplest and most common answer to the question of why your water well pump might be running constantly is that it’s simply old and/or worn down.

Like any other appliance or mechanical device in your home, a water well pump has a limited lifespan. Over time, all the moving parts inside the pump are going to wear out, and at a certain point, it’s just not going to work as efficiently as it used to.

In some cases, you might be able to get a few more years out of an old water well pump by having it regularly serviced and repaired. However, eventually, it’s going to reach the point where it needs to be replaced entirely.

If your water well pump is more than 10-15 years old, it might be time to start thinking about replacing it. Of course, if it’s showing other signs of wear and tear (like making strange noises or not pumping as much water as it used to), you might need to replace it even sooner.

Damage to Submersible Pump Section

The submersible pump section is the part of your water well pump that actually sits down in the well itself. This section can be damaged in a number of ways, but one common cause is simply exposure to corrosion or rust.

If the submersible pump section of your water well pump is corroded or rusted, it’s going to cause all sorts of problems with the pump’s performance. In some cases, it might cause the pump to run constantly, as it’s not able to turn on and off as efficiently as it should.

If you think this might be the problem with your water well pump, the best course of action is to have a professional take a look at it. They’ll be able to tell for sure whether or not the submersible pump section is damaged and, if so, what needs to be done to repair it.

Problems With Pressure Control Valves

Another key set of components in your water well system are the pressure control valves. These valves are responsible for regulating the amount of water that’s allowed to flow into your home.

If there’s a problem with one or more of these valves, it can cause all sorts of issues with your water well pump – including making it run constantly. In some cases, the problem might be as simple as a valve that’s not opening or closing properly.

In other cases, the problem might be a bit more complicated, such as a valve that’s been damaged by corrosion or rust. And like other issues here, these are best assessed by professionals if you believe they’re taking place.

Low Water Levels

Whether caused by our current drought or other factors, low water levels in your well can cause your water well pump to run constantly.

When the water level in your well drops below a certain point, it can cause the pump to “cycle,” which means it turns on and off more frequently than it should. In some cases, this might happen so often that it seems like the pump is running constantly.

If you think this might be the problem with your water well pump, there are a few things you can do to try and fix it. First, you can have a professional come out and check the well to see how much water is actually in it. If the water level is low, they might be able to increase it with a process called “recharging.”

Another option is to have a professional install a device called a “submersible well pump protector.” This device helps to prevent the pump from cycling too frequently, which can save it from wearing out prematurely.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons why your water well pump might be constantly running — but also some good solutions available. For more here, or to learn about any of our water well installation or services throughout Utah, speak to the team at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Possible Causes of Utah Well Water Discoloration

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There are a few things no one wants to see when they turn on a water tap in their home, and one item that’s at or near the top of any such list is discolored water. Healthy water is clean and clear — while an unusual color to your water isn’t always a sign of a health issue or some related concern, it often will be. 

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re proud to offer several services that will ensure high well water quality for any of our Utah clients, from water well inspections through well repairs, tune-ups and more. What are some of the discoloration formats that are possible within a water well supply, and what are these likely telling you about the quality of your water? Here’s a primer, plus what you can do about each of these issues.

causes well water discoloration

General Discoloration

Generally speaking, there are a number of reasons why your water might be discolored if it comes from a well. A change in the color of your water could be indicative of a particular issue that you’ll want to investigate and address as soon as possible.

In any of these situations, an easy remedy like a whole-house filtration system or water softener will be all that’s needed to ensure your water is clean, clear and healthy for use in any capacity. In others, though, your well itself may require some attention before the discoloration goes away.

Let’s look at some of the most common forms of discoloration that may be seen in a well over time, plus what they mean and what to do about them.

Black Well Water

There are a few reasons why well water may be black or contain a major quantity of black specks, and perhaps the most common is the presence of magnesium in the water. If you have black well water, it’s likely due to a process called “black water treatment” in which magnesium is added to the water in order to make it harder.

If your water was recently treated with magnesium, give it some time to clear up on its own. In other cases, you may need to flush your water lines to clear them of the black water.

Another potential reason for black well water is the presence of iron in the water, which can react with oxygen to cause a rusty-looking coloration. This is usually seen as reddish brown rather than true black, but it may appear black in some cases.

Iron is common in Utah water supplies and is generally not harmful in small quantities, but it can stain sinks, tubs and other fixtures over time. If your water has a high iron content, you’ll likely need to install a water softener to remove it from the water.

Various “Rusty” Well Water Colors

There are a number of colors that may give you water a “rusty” tinge, including brown, red, orange or even yellow water. And while there can be a few causes here, the single most common is — you guessed it — actually rust.

Rust may be found in your water lines, in your well pump or even in the well itself. In some cases, it may also be coming from your hot water heater if it’s beginning to corrode on the inside.

If you have rusty water, flush your water lines to see if that clears up the issue. If not, you’ll likely need to call a professional to take a look at your well and water lines to determine the source of the rust.

Now, there are cases where water that’s turned one of these colors actually isn’t due to rust. For instance, high levels of iron or manganese in your water can cause a reddish tinge, while water with high sediment levels may look more brown than anything else.

If you’re unsure what’s causing the coloration in your water, have it tested by a professional to be sure.

Green or Blue Well Water

While corrosion in plumbing pipes will more commonly lead to the “rusty” colors we went over above, certain forms of copper piping corrosion can actually turn your water green or blue. If you have this problem, the piping in your home will need to be replaced with a different material that doesn’t corrode as easily. In some cases, you may also need to treat your water with a chemical like chlorine or chloramine to inhibit corrosion and keep the blue or green color away.

In other situations, this color may be caused from leaching from bronze alloys found in certain plumbing or well pump components. It’s also possible for algal growth to cause this color, particularly in surface water sources like lakes or rivers.

Milky White or Cloudy Water

Finally, milky-white or cloudy water is most commonly due to air that’s trapped in your water supply — and will usually clear itself up in a day or two without any action on your part.

If the cloudiness doesn’t go away or is accompanied by a drop in water pressure, however, you may have a more serious problem like sediment buildup in your well or water lines. In this case, you’ll need to consult with a professional to determine the best way to clear your water lines and restore normal pressure.

Discolored water can often be a cause for concern, but it’s important to remember that not all such colors indicate a serious problem. In many cases, you may be able to clear up the discoloration on your own — but if you’re unsure of what’s causing the color, contact our team for assistance.

For more on this theme, or to learn about any of our water well drilling or additional services in Utah, contact the pros at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Signs Your Well Needs a Water Softener Installation

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For many households and buildings, the presence of hard water becomes an issue for one of several reasons. Present in both traditional water sources and some water wells, hard water refers to water that has a high concentration of minerals like magnesium or calcium, leading to several possible issues, from poor taste and smell to issues with leftover deposits and more. 

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we’re proud to offer an important service for all our water well clients: Water softening solutions for situations where your well water is too hard for your liking and is causing issues. In many cases, you’ll be alerted to the issues hard water is causing by a few different possible problems — here are a few such concerns that may indicate the presence of hard water, possibly signaling the need for a water softener installation.

signs well water softener

Weak Water Flow

To be clear, hard water is not the only reason why your water well might be experiencing issues with water flow. There are also others, including clogs in your system and more. However, if you’re seeing a noticeable drop in water flow regardless of having tested the well for other possible problems (and assuming clogs or issues with your system are not an issue), it’s likely hard water is present, and may be impacting the function of your pump

A buildup of calcium and magnesium, which is only likely to happen if your home has a supply of hard water, can lead to clogging in the pipes leading from the wellhead or pressure tank, especially if you’ve been noticing an increase in these issues over time. Any mineral buildup is also likely to be affecting your pump, which will need either replacement or an overhaul.

In these situations, you’ll often be able to see a scaly buildup around your faucets and other areas where your water flows, and the water itself will often carry a white, cloudy appearance. If you notice these things in or around your home, it’s likely time to schedule a visit from Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, who can check out the system to see what’s going on inside and let you know what your options are moving forward.

Dry Skin and Hair

Again, there are other reasons why the skin and hair of people who live in your home is dry. However, if this is happening to multiple people in the home and there’s no other explanation easily found, it’s possible that hard water is to blame, possibly leaving your skin and hair less moisturized than it could be.

In addition to the lathering effects of soaps being lost in a hard water environment, bathing is also likely to be less effective because of the minerals present. In some cases, this can even cause slight discoloring or yellowing of your skin and hair.

If you’re concerned about these issues, it’s worth looking to see what the water quality is like where your wellhead or pressure tank are located — if you notice these symptoms more strongly in specific areas or at certain heights, the hard water present may be coming from above ground level.

Scratchy, Stiff and Uncomfortable Clothing

Another area where hard water may have a direct impact on a home is when it’s used for laundry and other cleaning. Hard water can leave your clothing less soft and comfortable than you’d prefer, often causing it to be stiffer or scratchier than other clothing in the same category.

In addition, hard water will typically have a negative effect on the effectiveness of soaps used for laundering clothes, leading many people who are dealing with this issue to move to harsher cleaners that will be more effective. Ultimately, the effects of hard water on laundry will vary based on whether you use traditional or soft-based cleaning solutions, and if using soap is simply less effective than other types of detergents in your home.

If you’re noticing any of these common issues with regard to your well water, it’s time to schedule a visit from Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC , who can check out the system, handle any necessary repairs and provide you with some options for how to move forward, including any installation of a water softener.

Dish Concerns

In other cases, you may begin to notice mineral spots and buildup on your dishware, glasses and other common items in the home. Generally caused by calcium or magnesium being present in either your hot or cold water supply, these issues are also likely to impact any appliances that use water during the cleaning cycle, including your washing machine.

These mineral deposits can lead to a bad taste affecting both your drinking water and your food, while also leaving your dishes lusterless and spotty. Again, this is another issue that can be solved with the installation of a water softener, which will help provide you with an alternative solution to your current system.

Appliances

Finally, have certain appliances like ice makers, hot water heaters and coffee makers been pushed to their limits in recent years? In some cases, this can be due to the minerals present in your water supply.

In fact, these minerals will often build up within these appliances over time, leading them to work much harder than they have in the past and reducing their lifetime significantly. This type of buildup is a common reason why ice makers will begin to make much less ice, or why hot water heaters and coffee makers may take longer to heat up your water.

If you’re noticing any of these issues coming from appliances that use water in your home, it may be time to schedule a visit from Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, who can check out the problem and recommend solutions, including water softeners for the well. For more on this or any of our water well installation, repair or rehabilitation services, speak to our staff today.