What is the purpose of basement windows and window wells?
Windows and window wells exist for a few reasons. The windows themselves allow natural light to enter the basement helping with the air quality and health of a natural dark, humid environment prime for bacteria and mold growth.
Egress windows are a large window installed in a basement by code which allows an occupant to exit the basement in case of a home fire.
The integrity of these windows are protected by a metal casing called a window well. They are meant to keep exterior dirt from caving into the dig out area and keep water from building up and coming through the window itself. Unfortunately, like everything outdoors in the Midwest nothing lasts forever due to the harsh weather extremes of all four seasons.
Preventing water build up inside a window well:
Window wells are installed and sealed up against the foundation wall by bolts and sealants along the seams where the well meets the foundation wall. If you have positive grading which directs water away from the home, this will prolong the life of the well. In some cases grading can not be addressed or wind direction during a storm can cause deterioration of the window well which gives water an access point inside the window well. Every so often you will need to get the window well replaced once water finds its way in. During this time, it is a good idea to have a window well drain installed to guarantee you will not have anymore water build up inside your window well in the future. A window well drain can also be installed without replacing the existing well.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
To prolong the lifespan of your window well and prevent water build up inside the well, homeowners should follow some basic practices.
- Ensure soil grading on the exterior of your home is running away from your foundation wall and window well.
- Utilize a cover to keep excess water and debris out of the window well.
- Ensure that the base of the window well is a minimum 4 inch gravel bed. Having a window well full of dirt will not allow water to drain, leading to water build up.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
If you have covered all the bases above but still have water build up inside the window well we can install a lifetime warrantied window well drain. Our window well drains with simple maintenance ensure that you never get water seepage even if your window well becomes compromised. The best part? We don’t dig up your entire yard to install it. Our interior window well drains direct water into your existing sump pit basin. The sump pump then discharges the water outside away from your home.
Window Well Drain Installation process:
Dig out 1-2 feet of dirt from window well.
Drilll 1.5 inch hole in foundation wall under the window.
Install round, grated drain in the middle of exterior well connected to 1.5 inch pvc line.
Elbow 90 degree to interior pvc and run discharge end to sump pit basin.
Backfill exterior window well with gravel base / seal around interior pvc line with hydraulic cement.
We have installed thousands of window well drains over our 30 years in business without a single failure on record. Whatever your basement or crawl space waterproofing needs we have the experience to diagnose and provide a warrantied repair method. Call us today for a free in home estimate.
