DECORATING TIPS FOR THE UGLY WELLHEAD
A WELL HEAD is the big ugly pipe sticking out of the ground usually about two feet high with a large metal wellhead cover cap on it. The Washington State law requires that the pipe must be 6 inches above ground. You can request the pipe to be cut down to the state requirement at time of drilling or pump installation. Once the pump installing & cap has been complete, it is too late! Be aware of its surroundings. You do not want to take the chance of hitting it with the lawn mower or possibly a car hitting the pipe. The wellhead cover Must be sealed at all times and checked regularly for its proper seal.
When you drill a well, the pipe ends above ground level as a wellhead, where it is locked and can be opened only to service your well. Wells are drilled within a reasonable distance to your house to reduce the cost of piping and electrical, which supplies the water into your home. As you began to landscape and create your gardens, the wellhead can become an eye sore.
It would be nice to plant a few permanent shrubs or perennials around it but that is not always the best option. Should you need to access this pipe for repair you do not want that beautiful garden to be destroyed? If repairs need to be made, a one-ton truck will need access to the wellhead. Trust me when I say the area around the wellhead will be trashed.
If you cannot beat them, join them.
Hide your wellhead by decorating around or over it. Here are several ideas to help. Please remember this wellhead may need to be serviced so take caution, the law requires 6 inches of the pipe must be above ground. Whatever you plant will be removed or destroyed for maintenance. Spending a lot of time, energy and needless money for a yard décor will not be in your best interest.
Here are a few ideas:
- Place a Fake Rock Cover over top your pipe, it is easy and affordable. Placed over the top of the pipe your eye goes to the sculptures and not the pipe. It hides the wellhead inside and can be removed for easy to access the if needed. These fake rock covers can be found at Amazon.com : Orbit Watermaster 53016 or http://www.lowes.com/Outdoors/Garden-Decor/Well-Pump-Covers/_/N-1z0wgh6/pl#!
Plain Fake Rock
Fake Rock with Bark & Small Shrub
- Consider placing statues or fountains near or over the pipe. Place a bottomless wishing well over the pipe. This disguises the pipe with a major focal point to the landscape with easy removal. http://www.amazon.com/Dura-Trel-Vinyl-Wishing-Well/dp/B0001YGT78
Bottomless Wishing Well
- A few Decorative Evergreen shrubs with a collection of natural Bark are low cost and can block the unsightly wellhead from the public’s view. Evergreen shrubs provide year-round coverage. Remember, take caution, the law requires 6 inches of the pipe must be above ground. Whatever you plant could need to be removed or destroyed for maintenance. It is in your best interest to keep these shrubs away from the wellhead along with a short trim yearly.
Evergreen shrubs with a collection of natural Bark
We hope you enjoyed “HIDE THAT WELL”. For more exciting landscaping ideas, visit us at http://www.pinterest.com/AppleValleyWD/