Well covers are an essential item for safety within the compound. They, however, are not always an attractive addition when it comes to landscaping. That’s why you need to know how to hide a well cover in your yard.
In the ancient days, people believed that wells were portals to other dimensions that were filled with magical creatures and spirits.
The need for keeping them well covered up and decorated was therefore highly emphasised.
How to Hide a Well Cover in Your Yard
Whether the cover has been built up with concrete or is made of a metal cover that lies flat on the ground, concealing it is never a difficult task.
In most cases, the well castings are extended above the ground by about 12 inches and have a waterproof cover at the top. The extended part protects water inside the well from external contaminants.
It is, therefore, essential to keep debris, dirt, and foreign objects away from the immediate environs of the well.
As you decide on a style to hide the well cover, ensure that you maintain access to the well. You also want to apply a technique that protects the water inside the well while making it less unappealing to the eye. Here are some creative yard ideas on how to hide a well cover in your yard.
Plant Around The Well Cover
Plants are not only a creative but an easy and quick way to hide your well cover. If you go for this option, ensure that you do not plant anything right on top of or around the well cover. Instead, leave at least a 1-foot buffer around the well to allow for easy access when the need arises.
Ornamental grasses can work well for this option. Most grasses grow several feet tall and can, therefore, hide the well cover completely.
Alternatively, you can plant a flower garden around the well cap. Building raised beds around the cover is a great option too. Raised beds not only add height to hide the well cover but also keep it protected even in the cold winter season when grass and flowers aren’t growing.
Avoid adding chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers to the plants around the well. It helps to keep the water in the well clean and free from contamination.
Add Garden Structures
If using a living scene to hide a well cover is not your style, try installing or building garden structures around the area. In line with the well-theme, you can create a wooden wishing well structure that surrounds the well cover.
Leaving the wishing well open at the top will give you access to the cover when necessary.
Another advantage is that you can easily pick up and move the structure whenever you need to perform maintenance on the well. If your yard has a particular theme, consider having a structure custom made to fit in.
For instance, you can explore the nautical theme by building a wooden lighthouse structure that fits right over the well cover. For a whimsical feel, build a wood picket fence around the well cap. Allow vines to grow along the fence to add to the decoration.
Apply Positioning Techniques
Repositioning the items that you already have in your yard is a beautiful and simple way to hide your well cover. For starters, you can create a focal point in a different position in your yard so as to draw attention away from the well cover. For instance, you can set up a seating area around your water feature.
Alternatively, you could set up the seating area between the front of the house and the well cover. This will make the seating area more visible, thus drawing attention away from the well cover. Painting the well cover with a color that blends in with the surrounding will also make it less noticeable.
Use a Potted Plant
Potted plants are fantastic accessories for decoration. Not only can they be moved around without damaging the plant, but they can also be used to cover surfaces that are not so pleasant. Since you cannot plant over a well cover, a large potted plant would be a great option mainly if your well cover lies flat on the ground.
Ensure that the dimensions of the pot are equivalent or slightly higher than those of the well cover to hide it completely. In case you need to access the well, simply slide away from the potted plant and place it back when you are done.
Lay A Decorative Stone
Another unique way to hide a well cover in your yard is by placing a decorative stone on top of it. If you decide to use this method, you have plenty of options.
You could go with the traditional faux rock decorations that are formulated especially for hiding well covers.
Alternatively, you could place another yard decoration such as a garden statue, birdhouse, or fountain to conceal the cover. A stone decoration could be the backdrop for your landscaping project.
Build an Outdoor Building
If your taste lies on the sophisticated side, then this would be an excellent option for you. Erecting an outdoor structure such as a backyard gazebo will stylishly hide your well-cover.
If your cover lies flat on the ground, create an access panel to it within the outdoor building. If it is built up, you could treat it like a table in the middle.
This option will not only hide your well-cover completely but give you a convenient space where you can enjoy the outdoors.
Put a Fence Around It
A fence not only provides protection for your well, but there are also many styles to choose from. In some states, having a fence around your well is compulsory.
If you are uncertain about the size and type of fence that will suit your well best, you can ask for advice from a well-drilling company near you.
Though you are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding ways to hide your well-cover, some actions may cause severe damage to your cover, which leads to expensive repairs and replacements. Here are a few precautions you can take when hiding your well-cover.
Don’t Plant Trees Beside the Cover
Planting a tree right above or beside your well cover can cause damage to it. Roots from bushes, shrubs, and trees can destroy the cover and any pipes that are coming from the well.
Moreover, trees can block outside access to the well, which is essential in case the need for maintenance arises. If you wish to plant a tree near your well cover, ensure that it is about ten feet away.
Never Burry the Well Cover
Though covering the well cover up with a heap of soil sounds like a simple option, it is not a smart move at all. Burying your well-cover will expose the groundwater that is within the well to contaminants that may be present in the soil.
The goal is to keep the water that is in the well as fresh and clean as possible, and chemicals found in the soil such as pesticides and fertilizers could tamper with this.
Create a Downward Slope
When conducting your landscaping, ensure that the ground around your well cover takes a downward slope. Your well-head should be elevated to allow for proper drainage. Ensuring that the decline is long and steep enough will prevent water from pooling up around the well cover during the rainy season.
Be Cautious When Working Around the Well Cover
Heavy equipment can cause serious damage to your wall cover. You will not only have to incur the expensive cost of repair or replacement but also risk your water being contaminated. Ensure that you apply extra caution when working around the well cover to avoid this.
Ensure that Your Well Cover Remains Locatable
In the event of an emergency, you need to be able to access your well-cover quickly and easily. Access is also essential for basic maintenance. Therefore, as you try to hide your well-cover, make sure that you do so in a way that it can be easily located in case the need arises.
Check for Local Laws and Restrictions That Apply to Private Wells
As you try to find a way to beautify your compound, you do not want to find yourself on the wrong side of the law. There are different codes that apply to private wells in every city. Defying these puts you at the risk of landing yourself some serious fines. Ensure that you look out for any regulations that you need to be following before you start working on hiding your well-cover.
Don’t Use Chemicals Around the Well
Always bear in mind that any chemical that you use around the well is at the risk of running off and contaminating the water. To be safe, avoid using fertilizers and pesticides around the well. If you have plants around the well, going for organic alternatives is a better option.
