More than 23 million households across the US have private wells and use well water for everyday use. As they’re very common, many well owners are curious about ways to properly care for their private wells. Different types of well water covers shall give you that extra layer of protection and assurance.
A decorative rock well cover is a simple way to hide an exposed well. You can also use vinyl wrapping or match the well cover with the surroundings for the perfect camouflage. Many opt for as simple as potted plants, lawn ornaments, or decorative fences. Lastly, a full-well house enclosure of your own design will hide and protect the well.
Of course, there are plenty of other ways to hide and protect your home’s well water system. What we have in this guide are only some of the most popular hacks and ideas.
Below, we’ll explain why you should consider getting a well cover. Then we’ll cover the types of well water covers you can choose from including a guide in helping you choose the right one for your household.
What is a Well Water System?
Well water, also known as groundwater, is water that comes from underground aquifers. Aquifers are a natural water reservoir found underneath the earth’s surface. Wells are dug into the ground to gain access to the underground water reservoir.
Private wells and well water systems are very common in the United States. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is an estimated more than 23 million households across the country that have private wells. These households rely on them for daily water sources for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and more.
Private wells are not regulated by the government or any governing body. This would mean that the responsibility for maintaining them fall on the owners’ laps. Owners are responsible for maintaining them and keeping them clean, ensuring they’re safe for use and consumption.
Aside from regular cleaning and water testing, another way many well owners maintain their private wells is by utilizing well covers.
Why Do You Need a Cover for Your Well and Pump Equipment?
If you’re a private well owner, you might think that a well cover is an unnecessary addition to your water system. While we can’t blame you for thinking this, we can still convince you otherwise.
Here are all the reasons why many homeowners use a well cover and why you should consider it too:
- An unsightly setup
The installation of modern well water systems will leave a few parts and components of it exposed aboveground. This means a portion of your well system is visible in your yard or wherever it is installed.
While water well systems are convenient and essential for daily water use, something sticking a few feet aboveground is an unsightly setup. Homeowners simply may not want this part of their well water system sticking out and seen.
One way to solve this issue is with the help of a well cover. Covering up the exposed parts will get rid of the unsightly scene that you may not want to be seeing every day.
- Protection from elements
Because certain parts of well water systems are exposed aboveground, that means they’re also exposed to elements. This includes heat, rain, snow, wind, and direct sunlight.
As a homeowner, you would want your well water system and all of its components to be protected from unpredictable weather changes and harmful environmental elements.
Sensitive well water system components like the motor, control box, and pressure switches would need proper and adequate protection from harmful elements. And a well cover could offer exactly this.
Using a well cover would also help extend the life expectancy of your well water system so you won’t have to replace the system or some of its parts prematurely.
- Protection from theft and vandalism
Well water systems can be susceptible and vulnerable to theft and vandalism. This is an increased risk if your well is located far from your home. With this, you need to provide it with some protection, and well covers can easily offer this as well.
Proper well cover and protection will ward off potential theft and acts of vandalism.
Types of Well Water Covers: The Best Well Pump Cover Ideas
If you find yourself in need of a well water cover, here are some of the best ideas you can turn into reality:
- Decorative rock well cover
A decorative well cover that resembles a rock is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cover the exposed parts of your well water system.
Decorative rock well covers are widely available both in physical and online stores. These are designed and made to look like real stones, perfect for camouflaging unsightly well pumps and well caps.
These are usually made from lightweight materials and are easy to place and move. Though lightweight, these decorative rock covers could still provide maximum protection for your well water system.
They are also available in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and designs so you can pick one that perfectly matches your yard’s landscape.
- Decorative fence
A decorative fence is a great choice in hiding your well water system from view and protecting it from theft and vandalism.
With a decorative cover fence, you can have a variety of choices in shapes, colors, designs, and structure. The best way to go is to complement the design of the fence with the exterior design and structure of your home. This helps create harmony between the two separate parts of your home.
- Well cover that matches the surroundings
You can easily camouflage and hide your well water system by opting for a well cover that matches its surroundings. Choose complementing colors with the same tones and shades. This will do wonders in hiding exposed parts of the well without adding or installing much.
- Vinyl wrapping
Vinyl wrapping can also be utilized to hide and camouflage the unsightly scene of the well pump, well cap, and well casing. With this type of material, you will have a variety of choices in designs, colors, and images. You can choose a design that you want or a design that will complement the surroundings of the well.
Moreover, vinyl wrapping materials can withstand unpredictable weather conditions and harsh environmental elements. This will protect your water system and extend its lifespan.
- Potted plants and lawn ornaments
You can recruit a variety of potted plants and lawn ornaments to surround the well.
Potted plants are the better choice because they’re easier to move than decorative plants planted directly on the ground. Plus, their growth won’t disrupt the functions of the well.
Add a few lawn ornaments to breathe even more life into the area, easily concealing any traces of the well.
- Well house enclosure
Lastly, a full-well house enclosure could be your best bet in not only camouflaging but also protecting your home’s well water system.
You can let your creativity take the reins and build one that resembles anything at all – from a small house to simple wall closures. These can also be lockable for an extra layer of protection.
You can construct it as small as your well or give it more room for other purposes like storage – it’s all up to you.
Finding the Right Well Pump Covers
In picking a protective cover for your well water system, it’s important to keep these considerations in mind to make sure you’re getting the best one for your needs:
- Easy access
Even with cover and protection, your well should easily be accessible for regular maintenance. A good well water cover should not block access.
If something is broken or needs fixing, maintenance, or cleaning, you should be able to access it wherever it is quickly to easily resolve the issue.
- Heat protection and removal
Well water pumps typically generate a lot of heat as it gets to work to provide water supply to your home. A good well cover should help remove and ventilate accumulated heat from the well motor. A good air vent system will prevent the system from overheating.
At the same time, a well cover should be able to protect the system from extreme heat from outside. Excess direct sunlight can cause the well system to overheat so a well cover should also protect it from that.
A temperature monitor is also a great addition. This lets you monitor your well temperature and alert you if there is a risk of overheating.
- Cold weather and snow protection
Lastly, a good well water cover should protect your well system and motor from extremely cold temperatures and even snow. If you live somewhere cold, this is an especially important factor to keep in mind.
Your choice of well cover should keep the motor from freezing so it still works no matter how cold it is outside.
Conclusion
Private wells and well water are very common across the country. Millions rely on them for daily water sources so it doesn’t come as a surprise many are curious about the different types of well water covers.
Whatever your reason may be for wanting to cover the exposed parts of your well water system, you have various options. First, there are decorative rock well covers widely available in the market. Many also choose to utilize decorative fences, potted plants, and lawn ornaments. You can opt for vinyl wrapping or cover with something that matches the well’s surroundings. Lastly, you can build a full-well house enclosure.
And that has been our detailed guide on the different types of well water covers. Hit us up below for any more of your queries!
