Good window well drainage is essential to keeping your Westmont, IL basement dry. Learn how it works, why it matters, and how to prevent flooding near your basement windows.
Basement window wells are designed to bring natural light into below-grade spaces—but they also play a critical role in waterproofing your home. When properly installed and maintained, a window well with good drainage prevents water from pooling against your basement window and seeping into the foundation.
In Westmont, where soil holds water and storms can overwhelm weak points around your home, your window well drainage system could mean the difference between a dry basement and costly flood damage.
Westmont’s soil is predominantly clay—dense, moisture-retentive, and slow to drain. After heavy rain or snowmelt, the soil around your foundation becomes saturated, building hydrostatic pressure against basement walls and windows.
If your window wells don’t drain properly, that water accumulates inside the well and rises until it leaks through or around the window frame. Many older homes in the area either lack proper drainage or have systems that are clogged, broken, or missing entirely.
A well-designed window well includes a gravel base and a vertical drain that connects to:
Here’s how it protects your basement:
This system keeps water from rising inside the well and entering your home through the window frame or wall seams.
Even with a drain installed, problems can develop over time. Watch for:
If water sits in your well for more than a few hours after a storm, the drainage system may be clogged—or missing altogether.
Without drainage, a full window well can exert pressure on the window itself, eventually forcing water into your basement. This often results in:
By preventing water buildup in the well, a drainage system helps eliminate a major risk area for basement flooding—especially during Westmont’s heavy spring storms and fall downpours.
To improve your window well drainage and basement protection:
At Accu-Dry, we’ve helped homeowners across Westmont stop basement leaks by improving or installing effective window well drainage systems. Whether you’re dealing with standing water, seepage, or just want peace of mind before the next storm, we can help.
Our services include:
A dry, finished basement can be ruined by something as simple as a clogged window well. By maintaining good drainage and addressing problems early, you can avoid expensive flood damage and protect your home from the ground up.
Contact Accu-Dry today to schedule a free inspection of your window wells and basement drainage system. We’ll help you stay dry, safe, and prepared—no matter what the weather brings to Westmont.
