As a homeowner with a private well, you may not know everything about how your well's machinery works, but a basic knowledge of its anatomy will be very useful to you. In addition to the well pump itself, you will want to learn the basics of the well's holding tank, casing, and plumbing system, as well as informing yourself on the quality of your well's water. Discover some of the basics you should know about well casings and liners. What Are They? A well casing is basically the wall of the well. It protects the well's vertical length that sinks down through the ground to access the groundwater. Usually, the well casing is a cylinder shape, and it is typically made of a sturdy material to provide long-lasting protection. Often, a well casing is simply a large pipe of steel or sturdy plastic. In areas with certain geological characteristics (such as solid rock belowground), you may need to use a steel casing. However, other geological characteristics may allow for a plastic or even concrete well casing. Both of these alternate materials have the advantage that, unlike steel, they will not rust. State regulations may dictate characteristics like casing length. A well liner is not present in every well. The term may refer to a rubber seal that patches a hole in the casing (also called a packer) or a thin metal lining (also called a repair sleeve) that lines the entire interior of the casing. Either way, a liner provides a secondary line of defense when something goes wrong with the well casing. How Do You Tell If Something Goes Wrong? Since the well casing's main job is to keep contaminants out of your well water, the signs that something has gone wrong tend to include water that smells or looks different. If you suspect your water is contaminated, stop using it until you have had a professional check your well. You will also want to inspect your casing if your water's annual testing, recommended for all private water wells, produces abnormal results. Visible mechanical damage to the aboveground well casing is another red flag. If your well has a liner, symptoms of liner damage are typically similar. However, since a liner is likely a thin layer of material to fit in the casing without taking up too much space, it is more likely to need frequent replacement. So even if you do not notice any problems, you should inspect the liner and check the water quality on a regular basis. How Are Casings and Liners Repaired? Typically, a well liner is a repair part for a damaged well casing. So, if you have a well casing that leaks, your well experts may simply install a liner in the damaged portion of the casing. If your liner is giving out, your well experts may simply replace it. However, a liner is not always the best option for well casing repair. Sometimes, your contractor can simply repair the part of the broken casing (especially if the broken section is above ground). If damage is severe and neither of these options are likely to work, your contractor may recommend drilling a new well. These basics can help you get up to speed on just what your well casing does and the role that a well liner or packer can play in the process. For more information on your well's function and maintenance and repair needs, call up your local well experts such as Action Well and Pump. We can provide well services that encompass anything your well's casing or liner may require.