Why a Homeowner Should Never Handle Their Own Well Digging

Digging a well, commonly called bore drilling, can be done on your own with some rented equipment and a bit of patience. However, it's never recommended that homeowners handle their own well digging or bore drilling as the job may be a bit more complicated than you realize. Note why this is and why it's always better to call professionals when you need a well dug on your property.

Flushing and over-pumping

When digging a bore well, a professional will usually perform some flushing and over-pumping. This refers to cleaning out the water in the well as it's dug so that it's not contaminated with loose soil during the digging process. Finer materials like clay and silt are removed with this flushing and over-pumping process. Not only does this result in cleaner water but it also means that the well might improve its water yield, as fresh water can flow more easily into the new well when it's been flushed.

Suitable season for drilling

The soil on your property changes throughout the year and as each season changes; cold weather means frost that makes the ground harder, and summer weather means more moisture in the air and the ground. You might assume that summer months are therefore the best for drilling, but note that the ground on your property may actually have too much moisture during this time. If the soil is already very soft or very moist, waiting until summer months to drill can mean walls that collapse from all this moisture. A professional bore driller will know if it can be a better idea to wait until the ground does harden somewhat before drilling in order to protect the dig site.

Location of well

You may want to choose a site for your well that is close to your home or that is in the middle of a farm field and which can mean a water supply for crops that is easily accessible. However, you need to consider the proximity of another bore that has already been drilled as well as the slope and grade of your land. If the well is dug at the bottom of a slope, this might cause it to overflow as moisture drains into the well from your property. You also don't want to drill too close to another bore drill, as this can weaken the support both wells need from the soil between them.

A professional bore driller will know how to help you choose the best and safest location for your new well.

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