I've been digging my patio for a few hours each day for the last week or so. In the process of digging my french drainage, I've uncovered a well. I called 811 prior to digging and they never marked anything...what should I do with the well. My original plans would have the patio over the well...I thought I would just take the excavated dirt and fill it in, but it was brought to my attention that that would not be a good idea because the water level would rise and potentially flood my yard.

My fear is that everything(including my patio) might sink into it and I was told that I should make sure it is in fact actually a well and not a 'sink hole'. How do I tell the difference and who should I contact to make sure of it? I called back to 811, but they seemed to think it wasn't their responsibility, but took my name and number and said they would be getting back to me.

Please help.

Thanks in advance...

I'm not up on what 811 is but your local yellow page directory will list "wells"...or "contractors', wells".
Possibly your local plumber is up on such or can direct you to where you can get info.

Yes, to be sure, don't consider putting material such as rocks or fill-dirt into the well. That will certainly cause problems you don't want.

If it is a well, then probably you have nothing to fear; its been there maybe a long time and nothing unforeseen has happened and you shouldn't think just because you are working around it that it will cause something.

You know, some wells have the nicest water to use for many things. You might give thought that you could make some use of it if it is indeed worthy of protection.

Interesting problem. The first thought that came to mind is to incorporate it into the patio as a fountain. And. By keeping it viable, it is a source of free water for your lawn and garden that is chlorine free.

maseline_98 I have your solution. I use to work for a well driller and occasionally we would have to seal off old wells,cisterns,etc.
The guys used a material called bentonite. It would actually seal off the well to where no water could ever rise. Bentonite this is in powder form and acts like concrete. It seals off the veins everything and that is what the state suggested to use to be legal. Just food for though

That would work. Bentonite is a clay and impermeable when it "sets".

quote:

Originally posted by cndlou3:
maseline_98 I have your solution. I use to work for a well driller and occasionally we would have to seal off old wells,cisterns,etc.
The guys used a material called bentonite. It would actually seal off the well to where no water could ever rise. Bentonite this is in powder form and acts like concrete. It seals off the veins everything and that is what the state suggested to use to be legal. Just food for though

How do I obtain 'Bentonite' and is it costly? I'm trying to get the most cost-effective solution....

Well...I called my local borough and they said that I could just fill it in or cover it a concrete plate. I asked him if it would flood my backyard if I filled it. He said no, but I'm not convinced. If I decided to cover it, I would like to use a steel plate, but again cost is a factor. Although, I truly believe that spending a little more and doing it right the first time will save lots of money in the long run....

maseline, Illinois has been going thru some changes for well decommissioning. Get ahold of the AISWCDaiswcd
and they should be able to help with your questions...

I just noticed that maybe you're not in Illinois, if not just punch up the NRCS for your area and direct your questions to them...

quote:

Originally posted by rosepetals:
I just noticed that maybe you're not in Illinois, if not just punch up the NRCS for your area and direct your questions to them...

I'm in PA. What is the NRCS?

Are you saying you definitely found a well or you found a big hole? We have sink holes in Georgia because builders bury debris which then decomposes and leaves a hole. We fill those in with dirt (lots of it).

Anyway, here is the link for PA's NRCS (natural resources conservation service):

http://www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov/

Good point, GA_girl.. is it a bored or dug well or is it a cistern or a sink hole? if it is a (dug)well it will probably be brick lined or some concrete lined...a (bored)well is a shaft of pipe sunk in the ground...the bored type is where you use bentonite to fill... but...conditions for closing a dug well differ in that one must excavate 6-10 feet down alongside the well, fill, and cap the remaining 6-10 feet...

You should contact your public health dept if you know you have an abandonded well but be aware in doing so, you have officially let them know of its' existence and if you ever sell this property you will need to inform the next property owners of its' being there...

quote:

Originally posted by GA_girl:
Are you saying you definitely found a well or you found a big hole?

Well(no pun intended), I truly don't know...There is brick, but I only uncovered a little bit and can't really see what is actually in the hole. I tried looking at it with a flash light and couldn't see that much. I didn't want to disturb it anymore until I got another opinion as to what I should do with it. Some people said just fill it in with the excavated dirt. Some people have said just to cover it back up(either with a cement or steel plate) and put dirt back over it. I haven't decided what to do with it. I called my local borough and the 'code guy' told me not to worry about it and just cover it up. Well(again no pun), its easy for him to say...it's not on his property...I just want to do the proper thing and not have to worry in a few years when I goto sell.

quote:

you have officially let them know of its' existence and if you ever sell this property you will need to inform the next property owners of its' being there...

Well...I was planning on moving in the next 4-5 years...So I don't know if I want to do that...

I like the idea of making a water feature for your patio. I can picture it in my mind; I can also picture a big price tag.
Sorry, Connie

do you remember the little girl who fell down an abandoned, barely covered well a bunch of years ago?.... please do right by this hole in the ground... and YOU MUST, since you know about it, disclose it to prospective buyers.... or suffer those consequeces..... so, it would do you very well...to take care of it RIGHT, now, so that you can later say, "There's an old well here, but I FIXED IT so no one could get hurt".................see?>...

Well....I kinda feel cheated then because I know that the previous owner knew about it. There was a pool only a few feet away so they have to had know but it was not disclosed to me(not that it would have really stopped me from buying)...I really want to do the right thing with it, but at this moment, I just don't know what it is...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: maseline_98,

Abandoned wells are safety hazards. In some areas, licensed well drillers are required to seal old wells. The agency that oversees abandoned wells varies from area to area. Perhaps your local health department can put you in touch with the property authority.

http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001001-d001100/d001075/d001075.html

Well...I called a local well drilling company and he told me from my description, i most likely have a cistern and I should fill it in so I doesn't cave in.

Greetings!!!
*respectful bow*
My experience has taught me that when you run into a problem that you just do not know what to do,

1st)gather all the info you can about it-no matter how far out in left field it may seem.

2nd)talk to as many "experts" as you can. get their opinions,ideas.

3rd)Do nothing. That's right,do nothing...untill you can decide what the best thing for you is(**$ wise), what the right(correct) thing to do is, & usually somewhere in the middle of all that is the answer for which you seek.

Under NO circumstances,should you jump into this or that. 9 times outta 10 that will cost you alot of **$ in the long run.

Now keep in mind that if the Gov't. steps in(city,county,state,feds) & says do this or that,then obviously you have no choice.

But this only is my advice. what you do is ultimately upto you & nobody else.
I wish you well*G* my friend.

*respectful bow*