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Such a hydraulic structure as a well, equipped on one’s own plot, makes it possible to satisfy all the household needs of the owner. But so that it can be approached in any weather, and the mine is not clogged with surface water and debris, it is necessary to properly arrange this territory. Anyone can build a blind area around a well; there are many ways to make it. To decide on a specific option, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of the most common types.
Why do you need a blind area around a well?
The presence of a blind area around sewer hatches and wells allows you to reliably protect them from the ingress of not only atmospheric precipitation, but also chemicals. It is necessary to eliminate stagnation and accumulation of water near the walls of hydraulic structures. In addition, the blind area prevents the seams from depressurizing under the influence of moisture.
The main task of constructing a well at a dacha or a personal plot is to obtain clean drinking water. That is why you need to have an idea of how not only to correctly install concrete rings in the shaft, but also to make the approach to the source convenient and safe. And what is most important is to prevent the water from becoming polluted, especially during the spring thaw. If melt water is mixed with well water, it should not be used until summer.
The danger of wastewater lies in causing serious harm to human health in the form of the development of all kinds of diseases, since along with it the remains of fertilizer compounds, feces, wood ash, sand, small chips and other debris fall into the well. Do-it-yourself well blind area ensures clean drinking water and unobstructed access to the water source at any time of the year.
Construction of a blind area around a well
The blind area is a waterproof covering, concrete or asphalt, made of paving slabs, installed around hydraulic structures. It can reach several meters in width and be 1-3 rings thick. The construction of such a protective blind area from rainwater and floods has a lower (underlying) layer and an upper (moisture-proof) layer. To enhance the effect, it is also good to lay a mixture of fine sand and gravel under the bottom layer.
The main advantage is a long service life, from 10 years.They have a sufficient margin of safety and a high degree of resistance to corrosive changes.
Options for blind area around the well
You can make a blind area for a sewer well using one of the materials: clay, reinforced concrete, concrete mass, waterproofing and sand. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the main points of the design of each option.
Solid types of blind areas for wells:
- Clay, consisting of a layer of well-compacted clay, which is placed in a recess of specific dimensions. This method is relatively inexpensive, the material can be easily obtained, but the disadvantage of this method is the appearance of dirt on the surface of the natural flooring, sticky and slippery if water gets on it. To prevent injury and make the clay blind area comfortable to use, it is necessary to additionally provide a protective coating.
- Concrete. For manufacturing, you will need to make a wooden formwork according to the dimensions of the future blind area, installed on a layer of gravel. To extend the service life of the concrete blind area, reinforcing mesh is used before pouring the working solution. In addition, an important point is the presence of a waterproofing layer between the outer walls of the well and the concrete mass. Thanks to this technique, it will be possible to eliminate the rigid adhesion of the well ring and the hardened concrete mass.
But this version of the blind area also has a weak side - frequent chips and cracks on the surface, which not only allow rainwater to penetrate into the well, but also spoil the appearance of such flooring. It is possible to repair cracks, but if there are serious violations in the manufacturing technology, the integrity of the hydraulic structure will be damaged.This occurs as a result of the action of frost heaving forces; when there is a rigid connection with the upper ring of the well, a rupture occurs, and the lower ring is disconnected from the upper one. It is through the resulting gap that soil, debris, and wastewater enter the mine for drinking water.
The hard blind area is made of clay or concrete mortar 20-30 cm thick, its width can be 1.2-2.5 m (along the entire perimeter of the hydraulic structure).
Soft blind area. This type of protective flooring for a well involves the presence of a waterproofing material, on top of which a layer of sand is laid. It is noteworthy that this design allows you to equip it with a decorative covering, a green carpet - a lawn. A soft blind area is also good because to make it there is no need to make excessive efforts or purchase expensive materials.
Among the positive aspects of using a soft blind area are:
- low financial costs;
- there is no possibility of damage to the well shaft (along the seam);
- simplicity in arrangement;
- can be repaired at any time;
- long service life (from 50 years);
- there are no difficulties in the event of dismantling activities;
- possibility of making it yourself;
- if the work is performed correctly, the ring will not be displaced;
- due to soil compaction there are no hidden voids;
- high strength characteristics in relation to the well;
- resistance to seasonal soil fluctuations;
- waterproofing material lasts almost 100 years;
- various options for decorating the blind area (from wooden flooring to laying stone).
Dimensions of the blind area around the well
The optimal diameter of the protective flooring when arranging the area around the well is 3-4 m.It is made 0.4-05 m deep. The sewer blind area is done in the same way, its size should not be less than 1.2 m.
Do-it-yourself blind area around the well: step-by-step instructions
Compliance with certain rules when arranging a blind area around a water well, sewer or any other hydraulic structure is the key to the success of this event. Such facilities will be convenient to operate and maintain.
How to tile a well
In order for the tiles around the well in the country to have a presentable appearance and last as long as possible, you must adhere to the following technology:
- Dig a trench around the well shaft, removing the completely fertile topsoil. You need to reach the level of the mainland rock. Often the depth of the trench is 40-50 cm. Here, in the process of forming the site, it is important to achieve a slight slope from the walls of the shaft.
- Compact the bottom of the trench well and lay a thin layer of sand.
- Place a waterproofing film on the bottom of the well and line its walls with it. Use tape to secure the top edge of the film to the ring. To avoid damage to the material, it must be laid without excessive tension, allowing folds in reserve.
- Fill the hole with sand or use another material. It is important here that the selected filler can allow water to pass through freely, eliminating its accumulation on the surface. The area around the well must be dry. As an option, a multilayer structure made of different materials is allowed.
- When the drainage pad is ready, paving slabs are laid around the well. You can also decorate the area with large pebbles.The paving stones around the well are laid according to a similar pattern as the tiles; they also look original and beautiful.
Laying tiles around a well with your own hands is accessible to everyone; there is no need to experiment, but it is better to use the simplest technology. It is necessary to spread geotextiles over an evenly scattered layer of sand, and pour a thin layer of dry cement on top. After this, you need to lay out the decorative elements, there are many options for laying tiles around the well, and level them using a mallet (tapping). Control the level of the platform with a staff. Ultimately, all components of the decorative coating must be in the same plane. In order for the cement to set, the surface of the blind area is watered with water.
Choosing paving slabs or paving stones for landscaping the area around the well is quite profitable. The material is distinguished by its aesthetics, durability, and resistance to adverse environmental factors. In case of dismantling, it is easy to remove.
Clay area around the well
Before carrying out construction work, regardless of the type of blind area, the well needs to be stable, the ground around it must subside. For the soil to stabilize, you must wait at least six months. The blind area of a clay well is considered the most affordable option for landscaping the territory, but there is one caveat: due to the freezing of bulk layers of soil, there is a high probability of destruction of the seam between the first two rings.
The work algorithm involves performing the following actions:
- Dig a trench 1.2-1.5 m deep and 0.7-1 m wide.
- Lay a layer of soft, oily clay. Tamp it down well. If this is done poorly, voids will form that will allow groundwater to flow directly into the well shaft. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms will multiply in drinking water and putrefactive processes will begin. Such problems will entail cleaning and disinfecting the well. If vertical defects (cracks) appear in the blind area, you can try to repair it by removing the old clay and laying new one.
- After compacting the surface, a layer of crushed stone or other suitable material is laid.
With the right approach, the clay blind area in section represents a hemisphere, where water flows to the outer edge due to a slight slope. It is this design that prevents moisture from accumulating on the surface, but goes into the loose soil, leaving the water in the well in its pure form. But to improve the appearance and ease of use, it is recommended to cover the clay with another layer - waterproof.
Concrete blind area around the well
Subject to all standards and requirements, the concrete option for arranging the site around the well is durable, strong and has a smooth surface.
The step-by-step process of creating a blind area is as follows:
- Remove the top layer of fertile soil (up to 50 cm).
- Pour sand (layer thickness 15-20 cm), pour water when laying each layer. Lay the same layer of gravel or fine crushed stone. Be sure to maintain a slight slope towards the walls of the well. Make formwork from scrap materials.
- Wrap the trunk of the structure with roofing felt, waterproofing film.This technique will eliminate the creation of a monolith of protective flooring and a well.
- Fill with concrete mixture.
The use of rolled material does not allow the upper ring to come off when the soil freezes or bulges. Also, the tightness of the seams between the rings will not be compromised. It is the roll waterproofing that allows the blind area to move freely around the shaft.
Soft blind area around the well
To make this version of protective flooring with decorative trim, you need:
- Build a clay foundation. The layer should be thin, its task is to cover the entire area. Be sure to maintain a slight slope.
- Fix the waterproofing material on the shaft ring. To avoid displacement of the soil under the paving slabs, it is necessary to fold the insulating film in the area of contact with the soil.
- It is necessary to lay a layer of sand on top of the waterproofing and compact it. The next layer is geotextile.
- Lay either paving slabs, or crushed stone, pebbles.
Tips and tricks
Using a standard design for a blind area around a well, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- You should not immediately start arranging the site after installing the rings; at least six months must pass before the start of construction work.
- The presence of a waterproofing layer significantly increases the effectiveness of the measures taken. The material will prevent unwanted consequences from occurring.
- To enhance the effect during the creation of the structure, it is necessary to use a special mesh or reinforcement.
- To give the site originality, it is good to use paving slabs, and there is a large assortment of colors, configurations, and sizes on the market.
- After laying tiles on a cement-sand base, it is not recommended to step on it in the first two days. Also, do not place heavy objects on top.
- If it rains immediately after completion of construction work, the site must be covered with polyethylene, otherwise it will be washed away.
- Processing of seams should be done only after the base is securely fixed.
- In addition to using paving slabs for decorative purposes, it is also effective to line the area with garden parquet, sawn wood, or natural stone.
- The optimal time for installing a blind area is dry, warm weather, which occurs in May and September.
Conclusion
The blind area around the well can be made according to one of the options described above. But it is best to give preference to soft structures that have a long service life, do not cause installation difficulties, and do not require significant costs. The main thing when arranging a site with your own hands is not to violate the technology, so that you don’t have to redo it in the future.
