A yellowish water pours from a kitchen sink faucet into a cup.

Dealing With Underground Leaks From Your Water Well Casing

Water wells are a fantastic way to access clean, fresh water. But since they’re primarily underground, diagnosing leaks can be tricky. Unlike a leaky pipe inside your house, you won’t see puddles or hear the familiar sounds of a drip. So, how do you know if your water well has a leak, and what can be done about it?

With our insight, we’ll shed light on underground water well leaks, their causes, and the signs that might indicate you have a problem. You’ll also know how these leaks are fixed and how experts like Paramount Well Service can help.

What Is a Water Well Casing?

The water well casing is the tubular structure that lines the well shaft. It protects the walls of your water well and keeps out outside forces from the underground from impacting your water. Made from durable materials like steel or plastic, the casing extends several feet into the ground, reaching down to the aquifer where your water comes from. A well-designed casing is important for a clean and safe water supply. It serves two significant purposes: 

  • Structural Support: The casing prevents the well from collapsing and keeps the surrounding soil and rock in place.
  • Contamination Barrier: The casing acts as a shield, stopping surface water, pollutants, and other unwanted elements from entering your well.

What Causes Underground Leaks Within Water Wells?

Underground leaks in water wells often result from many different factors. Over time, the casing can deteriorate due to corrosion or physical damage. Ground movement, heavy machinery passing overhead, or even root growth from nearby vegetation can cause cracks or shifts in the casing. Once the integrity of the casing is compromised, water can escape into the surrounding soil, leading to leaks.

Low Water Flow

One big sign of a leak is a noticeable decrease in water flow from your faucets. If it starts taking longer to fill up a pot or if the shower feels weaker than usual, it might be time to investigate your well. Low water flow indicates that water is being lost somewhere along the way, possibly due to a leak.

Debris in Your Water

Finding sand, silt, or other debris in your water can also point to a problem with your well casing. When there are breaches in the casing, small particles from the surrounding earth can seep into your water supply, leading to cloudy or gritty water.

Frequent Water Filter Changes

If you find yourself changing your water filters more frequently than recommended, it could be due to increased debris or contaminants in your water, often caused by a leak. Filters working overtime to clean out the additional particles shorten their lifespan and signal an underlying issue.

New Contaminant Problems in Your Water Well

An increase in contaminants such as bacteria, nitrates, or other pollutants in your water test results can sometimes indicate a leak. A compromised well casing allows surface runoff, which could contain these contaminants, to infiltrate your well and affect your water quality.

How Are Water Well Leaks Fixed?

Fixing a water well leak starts with a thorough inspection to pinpoint the source. Techniques like camera inspections inside the casing can help identify cracks or breaks. Once identified, solutions range from patching up the damaged sections of the casing to installing a new liner inside the existing casing or, in severe cases, replacing the entire casing. The approach depends on the extent of the damage and the condition of the well.

Let Paramount Well Service Lead the Way

When dealing with something as important and complex as your water well, you want a team by your side that brings both expertise and dedication to the table. Paramount Well Service offers expert water well inspections, cutting-edge well pump services, and more, all designed to address the unique needs of residential and commercial property owners. We’re here to guide you through every issue, protecting the casing and other important elements of your pump. For clean and healthy water, give our team a call today.