Dry Well Problems
A dry well plays an important role, handling excess water like surface runoff, gray water, or stormwater, so long as it is in good working order. A dry well uses gravity to manage the water, as the well is installed at the lowest point in a yard or other ground surface. Wastewater enters the dry well pit and dissipates out of the bottom into the surrounding soil. They are common and are very useful, but they do pose a few challenges.
Dry wells can be susceptible to clogs coming from sediment, debris, and other blockages that come with runoff, which makes the dry well useless. As wastewater seeps out of the bottom of the pit any solids that do not dissolve will settle to the bottom, too, which prevents draining. Water may still seep out of the side, but eventually the water cannot get past the clogs.
If the well becomes too clogged to function it has to be excavated completely, and a new pit has to be dug, which is an expensive and annoying prospect. However, good maintenance practices and the ability to clean the well as soon as a clog is suspected goes a long way toward ensuring the long-term functionality of your dry well.
Diagnosing and Dealing with Dry Well Problems
A clog can be fairly obvious, but in case you are not sure of what to look for, keep an eye out for these signs of dry well problems.
Water backing up out of the dry well is a clear sign that your drainage is not going as well as it could. Keep an eye out for water pooling in the yard, too, as that is also a sign that something is wrong. After a rainfall or other event that introduces water to the dry well, keep an eye on how long it takes to drain — any slower than you are used to, and you may have something worth investigating.
If you notice a bad smell coming from the dry well, that’s another indicator. Standing water leads to bacterial overgrowth which produces a malodorous effect.
Dealing with dry well problems is best done before you are in an emergency situation. Regular cleaning ensures that all of the particles and debris picked up by wastewater are removed. IEC can take a look at your well and your property and determine a routine maintenance and cleaning schedule that will keep your dry well clean and functioning properly. And, when you leave it to our expert team, you do not need to worry about dragging up mystery debris.
You can also count on us to carefully work around the dry well, as we are well aware of the structural needs of this important feature. While an amateur might accidentally compromise your dry well while trying to clean, IEC’s crew knows where to work and where to avoid.
To avoid dry well problems and to keep your dry well in the best condition possible, get in touch with us!
