People drill wells on their property for various reasons. Sometimes it’s the only option available on a rural property. Some want to take advantage of the fact the majority of the earth’s fresh water lives underground. Some families want to live as sustainably as possible or live off the grid, so a well on their property gives them freedom and autonomy. Whatever the reason, drilling a well requires research and preparation. Before you get started, there are probably questions you have about when—at what point in the construction process and what time of year—the well should be drilled.
The Construction Process
Do you drill a well on an empty lot? Do you drill it in the middle of the house construction process? Or is it possible to wait until the house is complete before you start drilling? In some situations we might recommend that you get the well done as early as possible; however, it is possible to drill at almost any time during the process, if it’s done properly.
Time of Year
You might also be asking, what is the best time of year to drill a well? There are some variables that can affect the answer, the biggest being where your property is located. In a warm climate with limited temperature fluctuation throughout the year, you can drill at any time. However, if you live in a colder, four-season climate, your drilling company might have a preference to drill in warmer seasons when conditions are more favorable for outdoor work, and there is no snow and ice to deal with. With that being said, many well drilling companies are comfortable and equipped to drill in winter; the hard, frozen ground is no different from drilling through rock, which is a common occurrence in any climate or location. Other companies might be fine with cold but hesitant in wet conditions when the rain can make the ground muddy, slippery and unstable, putting the safety of workers and equipment at risk.
Ask Away!
Questions and uncertainty are normal parts of having a well drilled on your property. In fact, asking those questions is an important part of the process, so don’t be afraid to ask! At American Water Surveyors, we use technology to locate the water and estimate the depth and yield of the flow before the well drillers arrive. When you can tell the drillers exactly where to drill, you don’t run the risk of paying for a dry or substandard well. When you’re getting ready to drill a well on your property, get in touch with us. Knowing where to drill saves you time, money and hassle.
