Anyone found a well on their land and how did you do it?

Eldi_Dos

@Poppy108:   By your discription of it sounds like entrance to a drain or sewerage inspection chamber, if the metal cover is still in good fettle I would not do anything.

If you a curious to hear if there is a flow going through it wait until after heavy rain and get a wooden broom handle and place rounded end at your ear then listen through metal lid.

Section62

Poppy108 said:

I think I have a well in my garden.  I’ve been in my 60s semi for 20 years now and over that time my small area of grass has sunk due to local large trees I think, leaving a large concrete circular structure with a metal lid, like a drain but quite a bit larger. I don’t really know what to do about it – whether to uncover completely and explore or try and ignore it! If I wanted to get rid of it, can you remove wells?

We can advise better if you post a picture... but for a 1960's property it is more likely to be a manhole/inspection chamber than a well, although if the land had previously been built on a well might remain a possibility.

MouldyOldDough

Poppy108 said:

I think I have a well in my garden.  I’ve been in my 60s semi for 20 years now and over that time my small area of grass has sunk due to local large trees I think, leaving a large concrete circular structure with a metal lid, like a drain but quite a bit larger. I don’t really know what to do about it – whether to uncover completely and explore or try and ignore it! If I wanted to get rid of it, can you remove wells?

Yes - you have to dig them out !

Section62

MouldyOldDough said:

Poppy108 said:

I think I have a well in my garden.  I’ve been in my 60s semi for 20 years now and over that time my small area of grass has sunk due to local large trees I think, leaving a large concrete circular structure with a metal lid, like a drain but quite a bit larger. I don’t really know what to do about it – whether to uncover completely and explore or try and ignore it! If I wanted to get rid of it, can you remove wells?

Yes - you have to dig them out !

Probably not - it depends on the type of well and what state it is in.

If it is in good condition and clear of debris then they can be filled with (foamed) concrete.  If it looks like it has collapsed and/or has been backfilled then you should verify whether this is complete, or if voids remain (e.g. by doing a borehole).  If there's doubt then the well can be capped.

For health and safety reasons digging an old well out is not likely to be an acceptable solution, unless it is very shallow and can be done solely using mechanical digging.