How to Save Your Well With Muriatic Acid
Water wells are used as a water source for livestock, houses, farms and gardens. They are a great way to provide a much-needed resource without the higher costs of public water utilities, but they are not without their own issues.
Well screens within the pump area slowly build up with mineral deposits from the water and slow or stop the flow of water. To clear this up, you will need to use muriatic acid to dissolve the deposits.
Things You Will Need
- Muriatic acid
- Measuring cup
Warning
Wear gloves and eye protection when working with muriatic acid.
Liquid muriatic acid is not advisable to use in wells due to its lack of inhibitors and extreme reaction to certain mineral deposits. It can be highly toxic and lethal. Granular acid is better because it has a slower reaction rate, which reduces the toxicity levels.
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Go to the well pump and find the priming plug port just before the pump inlet.
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Measure out a small amount of muriatic acid and pour it down the plug port. The acid eats away at the buildup that is clogging the well screen. Muriatic acid comes in granules for easy application and fewer chemical fumes. A minimal amount of approximately 1/4 to 1 cup is generally all you need. If this doesn't work, you can always add a little more in a second application.
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Wait approximately one hour to allow the chemical to work. In granule form, it is slow to release. Test the water flow to see if it has improved. If not, continued to test it off and on over the next few hours. You should notice better water flow. If not, then apply 1/4 cup more of the muriatic acid granules to the plug port and wait a while longer.
The Drip Cap
- Water wells are used as a water source for livestock, houses, farms and gardens.
- Well screens within the pump area slowly build up with mineral deposits from the water and slow or stop the flow of water.
- Muriatic acid comes in granules for easy application and fewer chemical fumes.
- You should notice better water flow.
References
Writer Bio
Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.
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