A well pump is a device that helps to extract water from a well or underground water source. Water wells differ in size, amount of water and depth, and this means that there are different types of pumps for the different requirements. Before investing in a water pump for your well, you need to find out the type that you need. When selecting, consider factors like the depth of the well, and the well casing diameter. The following tips will help you to choose the pump that is right for you.

Find out pump types

There are different types of well pumps in the market and understanding your options will help you to make the best choice. There are pumps that are mounted above a well and others that are submersed in the water. The choice you make will depend on the distance that the water will need to travel in order to reach the surface. When selecting a pump, you have to base your decision on whether you have a deep or shallow water well.

The depth of your well

A shallow well jet pump sits above the ground and it draws water through an inlet pipe while a deep well jet pump is also installed above ground but it draws water from one pipe and pushes it through a different pipe. A deep well submersible pump has a single pipe that goes from the inside of the well to the home, connecting to an interior pressure tank. Other types of water pumps include solar, manual and air-driven pumps. Knowing the depth of your well will help you to make the best decision.

Size of the pump

Water pumps are rated according to the gallons per minute (gpm). You need to consider your water usage or needs so that you get the best size for your home. In most cases, a typical 3 or 4-bedroom home will require 8 to 12 gpm but this will also depend on the number of people in the home. Think about your home design and the number of fixtures that you have so that you can choose the best size pump. Talking to a professional is the best way to find out the best pump size for your home.

Components for the pump

It is important to think about all the components that go into ensuring pump function. Some of the important components include the pressure switch that automatically turns the water on and off depending on the pressure settings. The pressure tank helps to maintain water pressure that keeps appliances operating efficiently. Other components are a safety rope to recover the pump during maintenance, the check valve and the foot valve.

It is important to note that buying a pump that is too large can be energy inefficient and it leads to reduced performance. If you are replacing a pump, consider choosing a unit that has the same horsepower or if you have added a new appliance or you have more people in the home you can add more horsepower. Make sure that you consider how the pump will be powered when making the choice. In addition, invest in a pump made from quality materials that can withstand different environmental elements.

As homeowners look for alternatives to city water, private wells are becoming a popular option. Well water is a topic of discussion that has been recurring in recent years and it has become the hot subject of different studies to determine its benefits. Well water may vary in quality and water volume but unlike local water systems, it is direct ground water, which does not go through chemical filtering before consumption. The natural state of the well water, great taste, environmental friendliness, and purity are benefits of well water. Following are some secret health benefits that you get from drinking well water.

1. Helps in weight loss

Drinking water is a great way to lose weight. When you drink enough water each day, it can help you to shed pounds or to maintain your weight. When you drink well water, you avoid the harmful chemicals present in regular water and the fact that the water tastes great means that you can drink plenty of it. Drinking water helps you to feel full, preventing you from overeating. In many cases, the body interprets the feeling of dehydration as hunger and drinking water can be the solution you need.

2. Aids in maintaining a healthy heart

You can reduce your risk of having a heart attack by drinking water. According to research, people who drink adequate amounts of water each day are less likely to suffer from heart attacks. Apart from helping with metabolism, hydration and other factors, it helps to flush out toxins, which cause illness from the body. Drinking water is definitely worth it when it comes to protecting your heart. Well water has a cleaner taste making it more drinkable and you will not find it difficult to stay hydrated.

3. Enhances brain function

Drinking water affects the brain and it can help you to think clearly. Research has shown that this zero-calorie essential drink can actually help to make you smarter. The body is made up of 70 percent water, it needs water in order to function at optimum level, and this includes the brain. When you are properly hydrated, you are more focused. Most people will find that the moment they start to feel dehydrated their short-term memory is affected.

4. Promotes healthy looking skin

If you want your skin to look great, drink plenty of water. Water helps to hydrate the skin giving it the beautiful and youthful glow. The water also helps to get rid of toxins that affect the skin texture and you will not have to deal with different skin conditions.

5. Reduces muscle and joint inflammation

If you suffer from joint and muscle inflammation, drinking water can help you to find relief. The water helps to reduce pain by producing much needed lubrication. It also helps to ensure that your body absorbs essential nutrients from the food that you consume.

Many homes across the country have water wells and they enjoy the ground water that is not subject to the chlorination process. Using well water also has financial benefits and getting the system up and running is relatively inexpensive and easy to implement. Well testing is important to ensure that your water is safe and free from contamination.

Many people enjoy acreage living and it has many benefits, but it also has great responsibilities. Having your own water supply system is great on many levels but you have to ensure that you do your part to enjoy the benefits. If you have a water well on your property, you need to find out how to maintain the system so that you can get the best results. The following tips will help you to save when it comes to running your own water utility.

• Water quality testing

It is important to ensure that the quality of your well water is good. This can help to prevent problems to your family and animals. Some warning signs to look out for include bad taste, foul odor, dirty water, soapy residue, scale in water pipes and plumbing fixture discoloration. All these can be signs that your well water is not fit for use. Your well could become contaminated with bacteria that are found everywhere, and it is important to get regular water testing at least every year.

• Routine chemical analysis

Having your well tested for chemicals every three to five years can help to ensure that your family is safe. You can avoid the high cost of medical care by ensuring that the water your family uses is clean. Well water often contains chemicals such as, sodium, iron, sulfates, nitrites and nitrates. If you notice unexplained illnesses in your family or suspect that the water has other metals such as arsenic, you should request for specific testing.

• Cleaning the well

One of the most important considerations after construction of a well is to ensure ongoing cleansing and maintenance. This will help to ensure that your well operates consistently giving you the same flow rate and clean water supply. It is important to get professional cleaning every few years and the frequency will depend on the water’s mineral content. A water analysis will help to determine how often this is necessary and you can ensure that your well remains in top condition. Regular cleaning will eliminate the need for costly and often unnecessary filtration equipment.

• Monitoring the quantity

Apart from keeping an eye on the quality, you also need to monitor the quantity. You need to make sure that your water needs are met to avoid the need for paying for additional resources. Not all wells are the same as it depends on the aquifer you have and how much water you can draw. Keep a record of the water level measurements so that you can observe and log any changes. This will help you to spot any problems early enough and you can deal with them before they become costly projects.

• Using chlorine

Bacteria can live and reproduce in the water well and this can lead to a myriad of problems. These include a slimy residue inside the surface of the toilet flush tank, reduction in water supply, plumbing fixtures staining, blocked or restricted pipes, and a foul odor. A sufficient amount of chlorine can be introduced into the well system to disinfect the water. Make sure that this is done by a qualified contractor.

The summer season is finally closing upon us. With its coming, most of the pool owners around my neighborhood are lifting their pool covers for a dip in the swimming pool for exercises, relaxation and fun. Most of the people consider swimming to be a low cost activity and fun way to spend their summer.

However, they do not consider that the products and chemicals they regularly use in their swimming pool are potentially harmful to them and the environment in general. Fortunately, there are a number of excellent alternatives to the said non-green chemicals or products and that all reliable, eco-friendly and affordable. Opt for at least one of the following ways to help keep your pool eco-friendly this summer:

1. Employ a solar heater rather than the electric or gas heater

Heating your swimming pool either by electrical or gas means is more energy consuming and expensive than do the same using a solar heater. Apart from this, it is a more eco-friendly way to keep your pool heated. Though the sun is not always as reliable as mechanical heaters, it is far better for the environment and the owner’s budget.

2. Consider other available natural sanitation systems

The majority of pool owners utilize chlorine to sanitize the water and hence making sure it is safe for swimming. Most of them forget that there are many other all natural and non-chemical options to pool sanitization. Ionic pool cleaners, saltwater systems and sonic wave cleaning systems provide extremely efficient sanitation option to pool owners. Best of all, there are fewer health risks associated with these non-traditional pool sanitization options compared to the use of chlorine and other synthetic pool cleaning agents.

3. Backwash in an environmentally friendly manner

Backwashing a pool’s filter ensures that it releases dirty, a number of pool water flushes and contaminated filter matter before it could be reloaded with new filter matter or it could continue with its cleaning tasks. Instead of draining the dirty water or filter matter onto the ground near the pool, simply attach a hose and direct this seemingly dirty liquid into a bucket and gradually re-introduce it back to the pool. Have the remaining sludge correctly discarded according to local regulations.

4. Utilize fewer treatment chemicals in your pool

Chemical shock treatments for pools are not the best quick fixes as they are promoted to be by their makers. They often create water balance issues in a given pool. While an initial shock treatment is sometimes necessary, conventional balancing is the better option in the long run. The usage of more than is needed stabilizers and balancers in a pool requires that you add extra chemicals to decrease the effects of the chemical additives.

5. Rather than leaving the pump on, opt for an overnight filtration task

This allows debris and sediments to settle to the bottom of the pool in more natural way. Perform some daily sweeping in your pool routine to take care of the said debris. Turning off the pump lowers the energy needed to operate the pool. This has no or too little impact to the overall enjoyment of the pool.

Although most suppliers of drinking water in our country meet the standards set by the regulatory bodies, there is a growing list of threats that can contaminate it as it finds its way into our homes. These threats come about as a result of water being contaminated by the by-products of modern lifestyles. The leading water contaminants are chemicals from pharmaceuticals, automotive coolants, pesticides, cosmetics, microbes, toxins and perfumes, among many others.

Drinking contaminated water is something that can really jeopardize your health and thus need to be avoided at all costs. While this sort of contamination occurs irregularly, when it does, the results can be very deadly. Simply put, the effects are very catastrophic for people who become ill. Here are five surprising things that can jeopardize your health where consumption of contaminated water is concerned.

1. An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis

Contaminated water is the leading cause of cryptosporidiosis outbreaks. The consequences for this outbreak are often serious in nature and victims either get treated there and then, or hospitalized or worse, dead. A number of outbreaks can be traced to bacteria or virus contamination. This is mostly linked to human and animal waste. Pathogens such as Cryptosporidium are able to pass through the installed the filtration and disinfection system to cause a number of deadly gastrointestinal ailments.

2. Radon contamination

This is a colorless, insidious and odorless natural occurring gas that is known to find it ways into underground storage and drainage systems. Being the invisible killer it is, and you will never notice radon contamination until it is too late. Fortunately, this sort of contamination can be avoided by taking the right remedial actions if your home is determined to have a radon issue. All openings, including piping systems where radon may enter your home or water system need to be properly and professionally sealed. Radon testing, diagnostics and reduction projects however should be left to the trained professionals as they have the right experience and tools for the job at hand.

3. Your old water tap

Yes, your old tap can be the cause of all health issues at your home. We all take it for granted, but old and thus outdated water systems the taps included can leech potentially dangerous chemicals and heavy metals like lead into your drinking water. These outdated water carriage fixtures need to be replaced with better and modern varieties so as to prevent your drinking water from getting contaminated.

4. That seamless harmless paint on your surfaces

Modern homes greatly benefit from contemporary construction techniques and state of art building materials. Old homes, especially those that were constructed before 1978, on the other hand may contain contaminants such as asbestos and lead paint which are very deadly if they find their way into our drinking water.

The task of removing lead paint and asbestos from an old home is both time consuming and dangerous, meaning that it is best left to qualified professionals.

5. Mold

Mold that finds it ways into your place due to high moisture levels that is brought about by leaky water storage facilities, piping systems and the likes can cause a lot of undesirable effects on your health. The results mold leads to a number of physical diseases, for instance asthma, a host of respiratory infections, itchy eyes, skin rashes and the likes. Removing hidden molds from your place is a hard and expensive task that is best left to the professionals.