Today, I want to talk about something that became a real headache for me recently – figuring out if my well was running dry. It all started a few weeks ago when I noticed the water pressure in my house was getting weaker and weaker. I mean, taking a shower became a test of patience, and forget about watering the garden efficiently. So, I started to suspect something was up with my well.
First thing I did was try to remember the last time it had properly rained. It felt like ages! We’d been having a bit of a dry spell, and I know wells can be sensitive to that. It became clear that I had to check if the well was the problem.
I did what most people do and started looking up stuff online. I found a few ideas that seemed simple enough to try. One thing I saw mentioned a few times was to see if the water had any dirt or sand in it. So, I grabbed a clear glass and filled it up from the tap. I let it sit for a while to see if anything would settle at the bottom. And sure enough, after some time, I could see a fine layer of sediment. That wasn’t a good sign.
Then, I remembered reading something about checking the water level in the well itself. Now, I’m no expert, but I figured I could at least try to get an idea. I turned off the breaker for the well pump – safety first, you know! Then, I waited overnight to let the well recover, if it could. The next day, I took the cover off the well and peered inside. It was pretty dark, so I used a flashlight to get a better look. To be honest, it was hard to tell for sure, but the water level did seem lower than I remembered from the last time I checked.
Another trick I found online was this whole thing about testing the soil. I dug a small hole near the well and filled it with water. The idea was to see how quickly the water drained. If it drained super fast, it could mean the water table around the well was low. I waited the 24 hours like the guide suggested. The water was completely gone. I did it again just to be sure, and yep, same result. That wasn’t looking good for my well.
At this point, I was pretty sure my well was drying up. I mean, all signs pointed to it. The lower water pressure, the sediment in the water, the seemingly low water level in the well, and now this soil test. I knew that I needed to do something quickly. I thought about trying to clean out the drains, just in case something was blocking the flow. I got some enzyme-based drain cleaner, the kind that’s supposed to eat away at gunk without damaging the pipes. I poured it down the drains, let it sit overnight, and then flushed everything with hot water. It didn’t seem to make much of a difference, to be honest.
- Paying Attention: I should have noticed the signs earlier, like the lower water pressure.
- Looking for Sediment: The sediment in the water was a big red flag.
- Checking the Level: It was tricky, but I got a general idea of the water level in the well.
- Testing the Soil: The soil test helped confirm my suspicions about the low water table.
- Calling for Help: Eventually, I realized this was beyond my DIY skills.
What I Learned:
In the end, I decided to call a well company. I figured they’d have the right tools and knowledge to figure out what was really going on. They’re coming out next week to take a look. Hopefully, they can get my water situation sorted out. It’s been a real pain, but I guess it’s just one of those things you have to deal with when you rely on well water. I’ll keep you guys updated on what happens.
