Before you start building a well, it is important to decide at what time it will have to be dug. This is an important decision, on which its further operation and its filling with water depend. If you choose the wrong timing, you can be completely left without water or it will not be enough for household needs.
Experts recommend digging a well in frosty winter, at the end of spring, when the period of snow melting and floods passes, or in summer until the autumn rains begin. It would seem that winter is an unfavorable time: frosts, frozen ground, but it was during this period that the level of groundwater was lowered, which means that the correct calculations of the depth of the well will be more reliable. The same goes for summer. It is good to carry out earthworks if the summer is dry. In early spring and autumn, digging is not recommended.
It often happens that when digging a well in the rainy season or during the period of snow melting, and discovering the first signs of water, work stops. But groundwater is deep, and the moisture encountered is just the reason for their seasonal rise due to high humidity soil. Therefore, it often happens that excavation work ends when water is found at this time of the year, and after a while, when the soil becomes dry, moisture goes deep. In this case, the source is not filled or its filling is insufficient.
There are several rules that will help determine the time of land work.
1. We carry out exploration activities.
Before digging a well, it is necessary to find out the presence of groundwater and at what depth they lie. This can be done with a drill at any time of the year, and the construction of the well can be postponed for the winter or summer.
2. If the groundwater goes down, you can start digging.
If you decide to entrust the difficult task of arranging water supply to a specialized organization, then the question of when it is better to dig a well will not even arise for you. In the arsenal of such companies there is equipment designed for any time of the year. If you intend to handle the work yourself, careful planning will not be superfluous.
To shovel tons of earth and not find water as a result is very annoying. So that dirty and hard work is not in vain, it is necessary to take into account many factors.
The arrangement of the well is not a matter of one day
What will the stars say
Many gardeners and gardeners check their affairs with the clues of the planets and distant stars, and in some cases this behavior yields very generous results. For those who want to know about lunar calendar, we report: best period for work comes during the growing moon. It is optimal if at that time she is in the sector of one of the signs of the water elements, and ideally if in Pisces. At such moments, the groundwater level reaches a minimum mark, and the water intake will subsequently not dry out. The rest of the advice will be of a purely practical nature, without a touch of mysticism.
By the reflection of the sky on the water surface of the well, you can determine how evenly the rings are installed.
water exploration
by the most the best way remains to be determined exploration drilling. Geological surveys are carried out at any time of the year and give accurate results. Exploration shows not only the presence of underground sources, but also reveals the composition of the soil and its bearing capacity. Why are these metrics so important? If the soil is not dense enough, the installed concrete rings can simply sink into the ground.
If for some reason you cannot call a specialist, contact folk omens. According to our grandfathers and great-grandfathers the best place for the well is located where:
- growing a large number of bumps-tubercles. This relief is typical for lowland areas.
- Dew falls more abundantly than in other areas.
- There are lonely oaks (pay attention - not oak groves!).
- Birches, maples, willows lean to one side - the branches point to an underground source.
- Grass even in the hottest time remains thick and juicy.
- Columns of midges are circling at sunset. But the anthill with red inhabitants, on the contrary, indicates that there is no water here.
- The fog rolls low. This usually happens in places of former swamps.
Important! You can conduct an independent study of the water saturation of the soil. To do this, take a few ceramic bricks, weigh them on an accurate balance, record the results and bury the samples in different places area to a depth of about half a meter. After a day, remove and weigh the bricks. In the place where the specimen with the largest weight gain was found, you can dig a well.
When to dig a well
Experts consider the optimal interval when groundwater ebb from the surface of the earth and go to depth. The water intake equipped at this moment will always be full in the future. Reflections are not devoid of logic: if you managed to get to moisture at such a difficult time, then in the “rainy season” you will not suffer from dehydration of the source. A classic rookie mistake is to stop working as soon as the well starts to fill up. If the moment is chosen unsuccessfully, then after a while the well will be dry and it will have to be deepened to a new level.
Special equipment reduces the complexity of the process
ground water go deeper either during dry periods or with the onset of severe frosts. Digging in winter is still a pleasure. Of course, in middle lane In Russia, the ground rarely freezes to a considerable depth (the average level is 1.2 meters), but more effort will still have to be made. It will be necessary to clear snow drifts and warm up the soil well. Therefore, the optimal time for carrying out "excavations" is considered to be the end of August and the early beginning of autumn (until the torrential rains begin). During these months, the outflow of water has already started, and additional difficulties associated with the weather are not yet expected.
The end of winter (before the start of active snowmelt) is also considered a favorable period. If the shaft of the future water intake passes through the area of \u200b\u200bquicksand, then you will have to dig at the time of frost. To equip such a well at another time is unlikely to succeed.
When not to dig a well
The most unfortunate time to take up the water supply of the site falls on the rainy periods of early spring and late autumn. However, this postulate applies to any time of the year, if it rains for several days. Working in the mud is not entirely pleasant, and it can be dangerous for health. Level up groundwater can play a cruel joke, which we have already mentioned above.
Important! If you'll be digging on your own, it's best to schedule this activity during your vacation. The work will take a lot of time and it is better to carry it out "on the job".
Features of work in winter
For a number of reasons, this is best done in winter:
- The water level is at the optimum level.
- There are usually no problems with attracting labor.
- Seasonal discounts available necessary materials.
- Country or household plot free from green spaces and agricultural machinery.
- It is easier for gardeners to find time to equip a well - there is no need to be distracted by caring for the beds.
You can dig in winter time
For most regions of Russia, the months from December to March can be the best time for excavation. The only difficulty is the removal of the upper frozen layer of soil - it is warmed up and dug out or chipped off with chops. If you plan to turn to professionals, then there will be no difficulties at all. On the contrary, many companies provide discounts for off-season work, and queues line up for them in the summer.
After clearing the top layer, work is carried out according to the classical algorithm:
- Mark the area. Please note that the diameter of the well should be 10 cm larger than the size of the concrete rings.
- Dig a hole large enough to immerse the first ring (it should protrude 10-15 cm above ground level).
- Install the concrete rim in the pit and check the correct location - there should be no distortions.
- Build up the second ring and secure it with staples.
Internal seams must be sealed
- Deepen the hole, digging it in a circle, until the first tier sinks into the ground under the pressure of its own weight. Remove excess soil from the center of the structure.
- Seal the joints with hemp and cement mortar.
- Repeat the procedure until water appears at the bottom of the shaft. After that, cover the mine with a lid and leave for a day. If they stand very coldy, it is necessary to wrap the lower tiers with some kind of insulation.
- Check the water level - a one and a half meter column is considered the norm.
- Pump out the accumulated liquid and pour in the bottom filter: 15 cm of fine gravel and 40 cm of coarse gravel (can be replaced with crushed stone).
- Fill the outer perimeter (the distance between the walls of the shaft and the concrete rings) with a mixture of sand and gravel.
Important! To protect the well from the ingress of melt and rain water, it is necessary to make a clay castle. To do this, tamp the earth around the rings with a layer of clay and sprinkle sand on top.
Video: features of the arrangement of wells
The arrangement of the water intake takes a lot of time and requires certain skills. It is almost impossible to cope with this task alone. If you are in doubt about own forces, it is better to turn to specialists. They will tell you when it is easier to dig a well and carry out the work quickly and efficiently.
For those who are used to checking all their affairs with the tips of the stars and planets, we give this hint: it is best to start digging a well when the Moon enters the signs water element. The most favorable in this regard is the time when it is in Pisces, and even growing. The rest of the advice will be purely "earthly", practical.
How to choose the time for arranging a well on suburban area or in a private household, and whether it is worth choosing it at all, depends on how you intend to dig this very well. If you are going to use the services of a specialized organization from beginning to end, then by a certain time the beginning of the operation "well" can not be predicted. As a rule, such organizations have powerful special equipment and experienced specialists. Therefore, if you start work in right time, the technique will help to cope with problems, and the specialist will determine to what depth it is really necessary to dig a well, even if the “first water” appears very quickly.
Checking the place for water
It is possible to conduct exploratory drilling to determine whether the chosen place is suitable for a well to be located in any season. It will not work on your own, you need to call a specialist with a portable geological drill. Such a device can drill a well deeper than seven meters. What does it give? Exploration will not only show whether there will be water in the well, but will also indicate the composition of the soil and its bearing capacity (if this indicator is insufficient, then the rings installed in the well can simply sink into the ground). Exploration with a drill can be done even in spring, even in summer, even in autumn, even in winter, and the process of building a well at a chosen place can be postponed until a favorable time.
Groundwater goes down - it's time to dig a well!
The ideal time to dig a well is the time when groundwater leaves the surface of the earth in depth. A well dug at such a time will always be full. The logic is simple: if you got to the water at a time when it was the most difficult to do it, then in more “wet” times you will even have it! If you start building a well when the waters come to the surface, there is a risk of not making it deep enough. Especially if you are new to this business. As a rule, inexperienced people believe that the work is completed when the well begins to fill with water. If they started digging when the groundwater was high, then it is likely that for about half a year such a well will simply stand without water and the work will have to be redone, deepening it, perhaps by two meters (these are the seasonal fluctuations in the water level).
Groundwater “hides” during the dry period and in winter, when frost hits. But in winter it can be difficult to dig. Despite the fact that in most of the territory of Russia in winter the ground rarely freezes deeper than 1.2 meters, you still have to spend extra effort - clearing snow, warming up the ground, it will be more difficult to deliver the right materials. Therefore, the best time to dig a well is considered to be the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, before the rains begin. Groundwater is already going deep, and there are no additional difficulties in the process of digging. good time also considered the end of winter, before the snow melts.
By the way, if the well shaft runs through quicksand, then such a well can only be dug in winter (a period of summer drought is also suitable, but there may or may not be a drought, and winter happens every year). At other times, laying a well through a quicksand will be incredibly difficult, if not impossible.
The water content has increased - it is better not to dig!
The most unfortunate time that you can choose to build a well is early spring and the rainy period of autumn. However, if prolonged rains suddenly strike at the end of summer, this is also a signal that it is better to abandon the idea of digging a well. Increasing the water content can play a trick on you and, as mentioned above, create the illusion that the well is ready, while the installation of one or two more rings is required to complete the work. About that, read here.
Go on vacation!
If you yourself decide to dig a well, then you need to consider that digging it slowly on weekends is not an option. Having started this work, you need to continue it without interruption until it is completed. Therefore, having determined what time will be the best to dig a well, time a vacation or take time off for it. Timing the process of digging a well for a vacation is risky - what if you have it for the rainy season?
If the site owner plans to turn to contractors for the construction of a hydraulic structure, then the question of when it is better to dig a well becomes irrelevant.
Serious companies have specialized equipment and machinery for land work of varying complexity throughout the year. If you decide to dig a well with your own hands, then proper planning will help you avoid significant mistakes.
Factors affecting the start time of work
To choose the right time to start work, you need to take into account the main factors of influence - the state of the soil and groundwater.
The groundwater level can change throughout the year. The difference between low and high level can reach 200 cm. If the groundwater has excessively saturated the soil with moisture when the owner decided to dig a well in their summer cottage, then the risk of the aquifer drying up increases. This means that you need to dig a well at a time when the soil contains a minimum amount of groundwater.
Soil condition. The softer the soil, the faster it can be processed. Clay soils and loams are more difficult to process in winter period. For this reason, many site owners begin to dig a hydraulic structure in warm time year - spring or summer. But it is recommended to work with sandy soils even in winter, you can get to the deep layers without the use of special equipment.
Considering the main factors, it is easy to determine that the right time to equip wells is the period of minimum saturation of the soil with moisture. In early spring the moisture level reaches its maximum. This is due to heavy precipitation - fog, rain and snowmelt. The driest period is summer and early autumn, when the air warms up quickly, which contributes to the quality of land work.
The most unfortunate periods when digging a well is not recommended are early spring and late autumn. Excavation work in the off-season can be complicated by an increase in the level of groundwater and washing of the topsoil.
Many site owners prefer the arrangement of wells in the winter to summer digging.
Features of work in the winter
The winter season is suitable for digging. Why is digging a well in winter becoming more and more popular? The following factors influence this process:
- groundwater level is optimal;
- there are no problems with the involvement of laborers;
- price Supplies much lower than in summer;
- the site for the construction of the well has been cleared of plantings;
- there is no need to additionally free up personal time in order to dig a well.
Although it is possible to dig a well in winter, the performer may face many problems.
The first of them is the difficulty in removing the frozen top layer of soil, the depth of which can reach 100 cm. To simplify the process of loosening and removing the rock, additional equipment can be involved. The second is the need to clear roads, the difficulty of delivering working materials and equipment when low temperatures air.
Professional teams dig only with the use of special equipment. In addition, the cost of earthworks in winter is lower than in summer, when the demand for them increases significantly.
If a decision is made to build a structure, then at what time is it better to dig a well in winter? Experts recommend carrying out work from early December to early March.
Do-it-yourself well development technology
Arrangement of a hydraulic structure is a long and responsible process that requires proper preparation. Therefore, many craftsmen are wondering when is it better to dig a well in the country?
In this case, it is worth considering not only the seasonality of the work, but also the workload of the contractor. For good work, it is better to have free time to equip the well in the allotted time.
For the construction of a structure, it is necessary to prepare a working tool, additional equipment and materials:
- concrete well rings;
- connecting metal brackets;
- additional fixture;
- gravel and crushed stone for the bottom filter;
- cement and sand for joint mortar;
- improvised means - a bucket, a rope, a shovel, scrap metal.
For the convenience of mounting concrete rings, you can use a hoist or hand winch.
Digging a private well is carried out in stages, all work is performed in the following order:
- The study of geological maps of the area to select a place for a future hydraulic structure. You can solve this problem on your own using dowsing frames or any affordable way search for an aquifer.
- Marking on the site, taking into account the diameter of the casing from concrete rings with a margin of 15 cm.
- Digging a pit for a well with the installation of the first concrete ring. It should rise above the surface by 15 cm.
- Installation of the second ring, fixing to the first with metal brackets. Checking the correctness of the joints between the rings, which will eliminate possible distortions of the structure.
- Deepening the pit in a circle for subsidence of the lower structural elements under its own weight. Excess soil is removed from the central part of the well with a bucket. As the structure sags, new rings are fixed to the upper elements. The connecting joints between the rings are carefully caulked with hemp and smeared with a cement-based solution.
- The procedure for and installation of new rings is carried out before the appearance of an aquifer at the bottom of the structure. In this case, work is stopped, the shaft is covered with a protective cover and stands for 24 hours. When carrying out work in the winter, it is additionally carried out.
- The level of the aquifer is checked. Optimal value- 150 cm.
- Incoming water is pumped out submersible pump, after which a bottom filter is installed - a layer of fine gravel (16 cm) and a layer of crushed stone (10 cm). This will prevent silting of the well bottom and clouding of the water.
- Outer layer between concrete structure and an earthen mine is covered with a sand and gravel cushion.
- The final stage is the arrangement and protection of the well. clay castle around the top ring will prevent excess moisture from seeping into the well. The construction of the outer part of the structure is carried out 12 months after the excavation. During this time, the soil shrinks completely.
- Before operation, the well is thoroughly washed from sand and other impurities contained in the aquifer.
Arrangement of a water intake source on land plot requires financial investments, free time and practical knowledge. To get a decent result of the work carried out, you need to know exactly what time of the year it is better to dig a well and how to do it correctly.
When it comes to shallow country or village wells, the question of how deep they will be comes to the fore. When to dig or in rural settlement so that in the summer, for example, or in the winter, from such a well, you can be guaranteed to get enough water?
A little earlier, we discussed how critical it is to choose a place for digging a well just above the deflection of the aquifer. And they came to the conclusion that using modern earth-moving equipment, you can dig a well anywhere.
Also in the matter of choosing the time of digging a well. If you are using modern technology, excavators and cranes, in order to dig a well shaft and deposit reinforced concrete or fiberboard well rings there, you can ignore the time of year when this is done.
You can dig. At least in winter, at least in summer, while making a reserve of 1-2 rings, which will be 1-2 meters more in depth of the well shaft. With such a reserve, seasonal fluctuations in the level of the water table in the well shaft will be leveled. And you will get the opportunity to equip your well not when it is “supposed”, but when it is convenient for you in terms of attracting finance and labor, coupled with equipment.
Choice of time for digging a well
However, everything is not so simple here either, and at what time it is better to dig a well, you still have to choose.
Crews who manually dig the well shaft cannot tell exactly when they should stop and stop the digging process. Simply put, not a single foreman knows in advance at what mark to give the command to his workers “no more digging.”
Usually workers stop digging when the foreman sees that he has stumbled upon a good aquifer. Water must flow into the well shaft constantly and with good pressure.
At times when the soil is saturated with water, it is easy to make a mistake about the fullness of the sandy layer. After melting snow or after heavy rainfall, almost any sandy layer is saturated with water. When the ground becomes less saturated with water, some sand beds may not have water at all.
For this reason, for fear of stopping at the level of a "skinny" layer, wells are never dug when the soil is saturated with water. This is the spring season after the snow cover melts and the summer-autumn season in case of heavy rainfall.
Comparison of seasons when digging a well
So when is the best time to dig a well - in the fall or in the spring? If there was a little snowy winter and the spring flood was small, if the summer was dry and autumn too, the best moment for digging a well will be the last months of autumn and the very beginning of winter. Digging a well in November or December, until a permanent snow cover is established, in this situation is the best option.
If the summer was quite humid, and it constantly rained in autumn, then it is best to dig a well in February - March, before the snow cover begins to actively melt. At this moment, the upper layers of the soil are frozen, and in the lower layers of surface moisture there is quite a bit left. There is a good opportunity to stumble upon a full-flowing aquifer, which retains its full-flowing even in conditions of low soil moisture.
When to dig a well, in spring or winter, in February or November, depends on how rainy the previous summer and autumn were.