I am buying a property with an old well that is covered with about 1 1/2 – 2″ of concrete. How safe is that to walk on? It is in the middle of a patio area where several people may congregate. Not sure of the circumference of the well, or depth. And if it is dangerous, how could I make it a safe area?
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Replies
Depends on size, etc, but without additional information, I wouldn't walk on it, and I wouldn't wait to take some sort of action, either, if for no other reason than liability.
Some locales have laws stipulating if and how old wells must be filled/capped. I think there may be grant money available to help defray the cost, but I don't know for sure... (not sure if I heard that somewhere or just made it up...)
a 3' hole covered by 2 inches of what is likely old rotten concrete isn't good... now if it's a 12" well with a 3" rebar-reinforced cap, that's different...
If you aren't planning on using the well, the best (ideal) thing to do is contact the local health department and find out how to properly decomission (or abandon) the well. This involves filling the well to certain specifications. The cost can vary depending on the depth and diameter of the well and the geological conditions encountered, but will take care of well permanently.
It's not only the well cover itself that can be a safety hazard. The well casing itself can be a problem, especially if it is an old brick-lined well, and sometimes will shift or collapse over time (this isn't likely to happen overnight, though). And, when wells aren't properly maintained or decomissioned, they can be a source of groundwater contamination.
Sometimes a concrete cover at grade level is the cover to a "well pit", which houses a drilled, usually steel cased well of smaller diameter. The pit is just a hole deep enough to allow the well-head to be accessible to work on, but somewhat protected from freezing. That is less of a safety hazard, but can be more of a contamination hazard.
If you are planning on using the well, just get a well driller to take a look and make sure that the well cover is in good condition and properly installed, although ideally well casings should extend at least a foot above grade to prevent surface water from flowing into the well.