Your well cap is one of the most important parts of your well system, but you probably haven’t heard about what it actually does. It turns out that well caps do much more than most people realize, and they are an integral part of keeping your well system running perfectly.
Functions of the Well Cap
But what is a well cap? It’s an aluminum or thermoplastic covering that goes over the part of the well casing and sticks out of the ground. This cap is what keeps your well safe from outside contaminants.
Indeed, when it comes to contaminants, the well cap serves a vital function. The majority of groundwater will be contaminated with chemicals from gardens and fertilizers, as well as oils and dirt from the street. The well cap filters out these contaminants. It also works to keep insects out of your water supply.
Living insects can also cause a lot of problems for your well, including bacterial contamination. The well cap keeps them out and keeps them from nesting inside your well (another bonus!).
In addition, most caps will have a vented screen, which works to keep the pressure inside and outside the well equal, especially when the well pump is working to deliver water to the home.
Problems With a Malfunctioning Well Cap
Unfortunately, when the well cap is broken or cracked, it won’t be able to protect your water supply, which can be harmful to your family’s health.
And if left broken for too long, it can permanently affect your water source. Insects can nest in your well, or else fall into the well and die, which will leave you dealing with bacteria and other problems.
Other chemicals may also find their way into the well from groundwater, especially if there has been landscaping done close to the well.
For all of these reasons, it’s important to maintain the health of your well cap and make sure that it is continuing to be effective at keeping your water supply safe.
But… how do you know if your well cap is broken? Typically, if your well cap has cracks or a loose seal, you’ll be able to tell from looking at it. It’s worth checking the well seal frequently, and especially if someone has recently run over the well casing with a car or lawnmower.
For more info on well caps or to have a professional take a look at yours, call Goold Wells & Pumps! We’re here to help all folks in the Capital District, Columbia County, and the Berkshires.