Why is Borehole Cleaning so Important?
There is a misconception that boreholes do not need a lot of maintenance and that you should only have them serviced occasionally, if at all. This is far from true. Like any other piece of equipment or technology you own, borehole cleaning is required if you want to still be able to use it in a year or two. You can do most of the surface-level maintenance yourself, but there are also times when it would be better to call in professional help. In the article below, we will give you a few maintenance tips and some information on why borehole cleaning is important.
Why Borehole Cleaning Is Important
Maintenance is important for the longevity of the system. The longer you keep the equipment clean and functioning, the less you will have to spend on professional maintenance. Think of it as upkeep on an investment that will pay for itself over time. It is also important for the sake of water quality – improperly maintained equipment can lead to leaks into the well, which in turn could lead to a health hazard.
How To Maintain Your Borehole
Before servicing fees get out of hand and you decide to forego the use of the water well entirely, there are a few things you can do to ensure that this does not happen. In fact, cleaning and maintaining your borehole and the area around it is so easy that you have no excuse not to do it.
• Keep the area around the pump clean. You (or a professional maintenance person) should have easy access to the pump and the well. This means clearing out any debris and removing anything that could pose a safety hazard. You do not want dangerous materials leaking into the aquifer and you also do not want to make the pump housing a pest hotel.
• Keep trees and roots near the pump in check. One of the biggest contributors to broken pumps and deteriorating pipes is the presence of plants and roots. You do not have to keep the area completely barren, but keep in mind that roots are very adept at finding water, not to mention deceptively strong and capable of causing damage by blocking pipes or invading the water source.
• Test water quality regularly. You do not have to order expensive lab tests or use complicated equipment. Use your own senses – water that is discoloured or has a strange smell or an odd aftertaste may be an indication of contamination. The presence of sediment in the water may also be an indication of an old or faulty filter or pump. If you are unsure about the quality of your water, you can give us a call.
• Hire a professional borehole cleaning crew. There are some things you should rather just leave to the professionals, like removing and cleaning the pump, or draining and disinfecting the well. If you follow the other steps on this list, this step in particular won’t be necessary very often. That does not mean, however, that it should be ignored. It always helps to have a professional set of eyes on any problem you face, even if it’s for something seemingly simple like cleaning out an old pump.
Contact us if you have any further questions.