Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
4/9/2017 2:12:48 PM EDT
I think I'm going to do it tomorrow. The water has a mild sulfur smell occasionally. 

I've never done it before, but it seems straightforward enough. 

Any tips/tricks/concerns?
4/9/2017 2:13:33 PM EDT
[#1]
I thought you only shocked a well for biological contaminants, not mineral.
4/9/2017 2:14:17 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:
I thought you only shocked a well for biological contaminants, not mineral.
View Quote
The smell
4/9/2017 2:16:08 PM EDT
[#3]
It is both hot and cold water?
4/9/2017 2:17:03 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
I thought you only shocked a well for biological contaminants, not mineral.
View Quote
That smell is caused by bacteriological action.  


OP you need to make sure the bleach hits every part of your system, which means turning on every plumbing fixture and running the water until it smells of chlorine.

Go get a brand new hose long enough to reach to the well. Connect it to a hose bib and then once the bleach has been added, wash down the well casing so that the bleach water comes in contact with all of the well casing.  

Take this time to make sure your well cap is in good condition and that your pitless adapter and electrical penetrations are well sealed.
4/9/2017 2:17:57 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
I thought you only shocked a well for biological contaminants, not mineral.
View Quote
Iron algae

Iron algae
4/9/2017 2:20:20 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
It is both hot and cold water?
View Quote
Yes. 

I don't have a hot water tank. 

On demand propane heater. 

ETA: I was planning on unplugging the heater and letting the chlorinated water through the hot side as well. 
4/9/2017 2:36:03 PM EDT
[#7]
Don't be bashful with the chlorine.  It is a hassle to shock.  Make it worth your time.  
4/9/2017 2:41:23 PM EDT
[#8]
The problem is the water source, adding chlorine in a one shot dose will fix the problem temporarily but it will come back, just like a pool.  A chlorine dispenser will keep dosing at a set level over time and keep it in check.  There are inline drip systems you can install.  You really should know the capacity of your well to dose correctly if you are going to dump chlorine directly into it.

I have the same problem.
4/9/2017 3:46:04 PM EDT
[#9]
Installing an aerator is how you deal with the sulfur.  You can get instructions on shocking wells from your local health department, at least in Florida.
4/9/2017 3:50:09 PM EDT
[#10]
We have a well on the farm that only gets used occasionally.  The well driller recommended using chlorine tablets in it, and I don't know how many he dumped in but that well smeled like chlorine for about 6 months afterwards
4/9/2017 3:55:13 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
We have a well on the farm that only gets used occasionally.  The well driller recommended using chlorine tablets in it, and I don't know how many he dumped in but that well smeled like chlorine for about 6 months afterwards
View Quote
Did you flush it out afterwards?
4/9/2017 4:03:01 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Quoted:
Did you flush it out afterwards?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
We have a well on the farm that only gets used occasionally.  The well driller recommended using chlorine tablets in it, and I don't know how many he dumped in but that well smeled like chlorine for about 6 months afterwards
Did you flush it out afterwards?
Nope.  Only gets used occasionally, and usually not for drinking water.  It does work though, and when in use it smells like typical city water to me.  We do it like once a year and they seem to last at least a few months.  I am guessing the point of the tablets was for a slow time released effect