I'm trying to dig a shallow well by hand, the water table is about 13' at that depth I am getting a cave in

Question

The walls are caving in and I can't go any farther, the 1st 8 to 10 feet were solid Clay.
What should I do now?

Answer 1

First off, digging a well, is for the "Professionals".

Sure, you can dig one, and "maybe" live through it, but, its not adviseable!

Now, having said that, if you could get cast cement casings, (the type used for sewer works), and tip them on the side, and dig, so that the casing will follow you down into the earth...(digging the middle out, then around the edge and the weight of the concrete will force it into the ground), then you will have a good well.

But, what you have to do is, after the first one is leavel, then add another one by dragging it onto the rim of the first one and it will fit, and then start digging again. (This will mainly be by 5 gallon bucket and a rope, and be very tedious work!).

Of course, the cast concrete will cost you a small fortune, so, it depends on what you 'really' want...

If you want it to water your mules, or have a "need" for an old fashion well, then thats the way to go. If you want it for drinking, then I would hire a Professional and put in a deep well.

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 2

In the States 250 Feet is considered a deep well, here in PI 20 Feet is called a deep well.....(Because it is cheaper) Sure water is hit well before the 250 feet but by going deeper you get to the "clean" water that has been filtered through the rocks and sand (instead of the ground water that has run off the roads and out the septic tanks and not had time to filter and clean). By going deeper you give the top water (dirty water) time to filter and clean as it reaches the 250 mark so that what you drink from your well is pretty clean.... THE DEEPER YOU CAN GO, THE CLEANER YOUR WATER and the longer your well will be in service cause the deep well will get water from all around it. @KENTENOOO: Now ask me if I give a RAT'S A$$...you're in the Philippines (NOT TN) there are septic tanks, animal waste human wast and cemeteries every where, ah but that shouldn't bother you....ROFL

Answer 3

Stop digging and go rent a drill that was designed for drilling wells. Then sink a large pipe into the well to prevent the walls from caving in. Digging by hand is a very bad idea.

Answer 4

It sounds more like you are trying to dig a deep grave. Most industrial safety standards say any excavation more than 4 feet will require reinforcement. Dont be cheap about it and by 1/4 wood, at that depth that is a lot of weight on the sides of the wood.

Answer 5

better to use a cistern to collect rainwater from your roof guttering -
it is above ground and if you get the cistern the right height you won't need a pump.

Even after you dig a well, it still needs maintenance from time to time, the level will drop in hot weather. The pump needs electricity and does not last forever. A well must be covered to save it from being polluted by drowned pets and children.

Answer 6

Devise some sort of casing to prevent the cave-in. 1/4 inch plywood strips with short screws might hold. It's going to be painstakingly slow.

Answer 7

I agree with Jesse. I seriously suggest you not do it unless you have a death wish and an extreme desire to suffocate to death being buried alive. We don't need to be so independant, that we do everything ourselves. That is why we have eachother. Professionals have degrees and go on valuable info. from well diggers of the past, who suggest how not to be buried alive and they usually did not ever dig wells in their backyard, alone.

Good luck.

Answer 8

I do not recommend that you even attempt to dig a well unless you have proper shoring to protect you from cave ins. Contact the OSHA office in your area and tell them what you are doing and they can tell you what kind of shoring is adequate by there standards.

Answer 9

That's what cisterns are for.

Answer 10

Stay out of the hole until you can support the walls! Even clay can collapse.