3 Tips To Remember When Drilling Your Own Well

Even though a well might be defined as just a hole in the ground with some water in it, the process of digging a well is far more complicated than it seems at first glance. But although it's a long process with plenty of pitfalls, it's far from impossible. So if you've already committed to digging a well and are ready to start, keep reading to discover three tips that you should keep in mind during the digging process.

Hit Rock Bottom - and Keep Going

In the case of well digging, you'll feel like you're hitting rock bottom - quite literally - every few feet. But no matter how long it takes to bore though with your pipe, chances are you haven't hit rock at all. Rather, you've most likely hit a layer of clay or some wood that's been buried for decades. So remember that persistence pays off, and keep working your pipe into the ground. Even if it takes a couple of hours, you'll virtually always be able to penetrate through, even if you're 18 to 20 feet deep.

Cut Your Teeth First

Before you start working your pipe into the ground, you'll need to cut teeth into it. But because you're bound to hit material that's nearly hard as rock, you'll need to do some cutting multiple times or run the risk of your pipe becoming totally smooth. So if you've been grinding away at a layer of particularly stubborn clay for several hours and feel like you're not getting anywhere, pull up your pipe and re-cut the teeth. Most people find that a sawtooth cut is preferable to straight triangular one, as it lasts longer and cuts more efficiently. If you're an experienced metal worker, you may even want to cut teeth into a steel coupling and use it as a drill tip at the end of your pipe.

Deal with Low Water Pressure

Even if you successfully drill a well, the water pressure may not be what you want it to be. Fixing this requires patience, but it's not a difficult process. Simply increase the diameter of the drill pipe, starting with a 3/4 inch pipe and working your way up to a full two inches. Then insert a slightly smaller well screen and remove the drill pipe. You'll find that you can compensate for low water pressure by leaving the well screen in the ground.

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