I just moved to a rural area, and my well head is positioned right next to the driveway. I'm worried because two people have nearly hit it while turning around. I'd love some ideas on how to make it more visible to prevent accidents. I was considering putting a concrete column around it to help. Any more creative suggestions? Also, I've heard about the need to keep well heads from freezing. What maintenance should I consider beyond the usual practices like shocking?
3 Answers
You might want to consider using concrete or metal bollards painted in caution yellow. This way, they'll stand out more and help drivers see the well head from a distance.
A traffic cone is a quick and easy fix for visibility until you can get something more permanent. People tend to notice them better, especially if you add a flag on top. I know my dad used one for years before building something more robust, and it still worked great when he sold his house!
Building a large, noticeable structure around the well head could be a fantastic solution. A solid masonry wall would be both visible and durable! Some folks I know have also made simple wooden houses around theirs, which not only protects but looks good too. If you're concerned about winter freezing, consider adding an incandescent lamp for warmth inside your structure.
Exactly! I've built a couple of those wooden structures before, and they work great. Just make sure there's some insulation, especially if you live in a colder area. I, myself, usually run a drop cord with a bulb during the coldest nights to keep things from freezing.