How to Get Rid of Sand in Well Water [Best Methods]

For residential and commercial land owners that depend on well water for survival, a common enemy is the discovery of sand in the well water. Not only can sand get caught in the pump, but sand clogged inside the water lines and storage tank can lead to multiple problems beyond the reduced taste of the well water. This is why when sand is discovered, many well owners want to know how to get rid of sand in well water quickly and without major expense.

Sand in the well water can cause multiple problems including the following:

Pipes to clog up
Loss of water pressure
Damage to fixtures
Destruction of home appliances
…and so much more

The first step in getting rid of sand is discovering where the problem exists. This is commonly determined by a company that offers residential water well maintenance in Phoenix during an annual inspection.

When you discover sand in your water, there are some quick observations you can make to determine whether it’s coming from your well or from within your home.

For example, it’s not uncommon for the glass lining within tank water heaters to break down over time. This can look like sand or sediment in your water.

The corroding of a water heater’s anode rod can also cause sand-like particles to show up in your water. If your washing machine is clogging but your toilet’s water tank is clear, this may be your issue.

Try drawing water directly from the well using a white container. If there is sand present, you know it’s coming from the well and not from within your home.

A professional well contractor can then help you determine the best solutions to your problem.

Common Reasons for Sand in Well Water

There are a number of reasons that sand will begin to show up in your water. Here are some of the most common culprits:

Degradation of Your Well Casing or Well Screen: When your well is drilled, it is sealed with a casing, and a well screen is put in place to keep out sand and sediment. If either your casing or well screen have started to degrade, which can happen over time, sand can find its way inside.

Improper Well Pump Placement: Typically, well pumps are installed ten to twenty feet higher than the base of the water well. If yours was installed too far down, it can draw sand from the bottom of the well.

Improper Water Well Development: After a private well is drilled, it undergoes a development process before final disinfection to clean out sediment introduced during the drilling process. This optimizes water movement from the aquifer to the well, removes inorganic/organic material, and inhibits sand pumping by stabilizing the aquifer. If a well hasn’t been developed properly, it can lead to sand and sediment in the water.

Once the precise problem has been discovered, your well pump contractor can determine the best course of action. It may mean moving your well pump up, installing a new well casing, or utilizing a screen to help keep the sand from your water supply.

In other cases, your well professional may recommend using an in-home option. There are two popular methods that a professional well company will utilize to effectively remove sand from the residential well water that you drink and need when living in hot weather areas like the Phoenix valley.

Centrifugal Sand Separators

The centrifugal sand separator works by implementing the common rule of centrifugal force and can remove more than 98% of the sand in well water. This system has no moving parts that can wear out over time which extends the life of this system for years. In fact, there are no cartridges to replace, no cones or filters to clean or other major maintenance needed. The only thing that needs to be done is to have the separator purged occasionally, which can be completed by the company you utilize for residential water well maintenance in Phoenix. This type of product is affordable, durable and with proper maintenance and service will keep sand from entering your water supply for multiple years.

Spin Down Filter Screens

This type of sand removal system utilizes a screen to trap course sediment and sand and filters the water as it enters the pump. Like the above centrifugal sand separator, the filter screen has a spin-down manual flush valve that has to be opened and flushed out to avoid build-up of sediment and sand. However, unlike many small micron filters that require constant replacement, the spin down filter cartridge will last for a very long time which extends the lifespan of your water well system and keeps sand and debris from entering the water supply you drink and depend on for survival.

Speak with Professionals About Options

When it comes to maintaining a residential water well, one constant remains truthful–everyone is unique. This is why most homeowners and commercial property owners who need to have a sand removal system installed know the value of speaking with experts who have utilized multiple techniques and products to remove sand from the well to improve water quality.

The reality that most well owners understand too well is that it’s virtually impossible to remove the sand from the source–the actual well. When you have the best products available serviced by professionals who know how to keep them running strong, the results are often very positive. Always seek out the opinion of a professional residential water well service company anytime you discover sand in your well.

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Is your well pumping out sand into your drinking water? Call Pump It Up Pump Services, Inc. and let one of our professionals answer your water well questions. Call 623-582-5069 now!