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How Deep Does a Window Well Need to Be? A window well should be roughly 8 inches deeper than the window sill and approximately 6 inches wider than the window opening.
What do you put in the bottom of a window well?
The bottom of the well should contain loose gravel, which also helps with drainage. This should not be allowed to become too compacted or it will also cause water to collect in the well. You can either replace gravel periodically or remove it and clean it before putting it back in place.
Does a window well need a drain?
Window Well Drain – Every window well should have a drain to allow water to exit the window well and not build to a level that creates a basement seepage problem. Drains can be connected to interior or exterior drain tile or can be run to daylight where a proper slope exists.
Are window wells a good idea?
Basement windows and window wells are a good way to allow natural light into your home. Natural light will open up your space and take your basement from dark and dreary to bright and inviting. Window well materials come in a variety of beautiful stone and metal finishes, which can even add exterior charm to your home.
Should window wells have dirt in them?
You should regularly check window wells for debris and clean them out accordingly. Materials such as leaves, dirt, and other scraps from the outside can infest window wells. When these objects enter a window well, they have the potential to dirty the gravel and clog up the drain.
Should I put rocks in my window well?
There isn’t really a minimum level of rocks in your window well, but the levels should be appropriate given the depth of it (and going deep is always better). However, the window well should definitely not be overfilled. This increases the risk of flooding and windows breakage.
How much gravel should be in the bottom of a window well?
Manufacturers of the metal window well suggest digging deeper into the well and placing 12 inches of gravel at the bottom. This will allow the water to dissipate into the ground slowly. This simple project along with a cover for your metal window well will stop the water from seeping into your foundation.
How do you keep water out of window wells?
The easiest way to keep your window well drain unclogged is by installing a quality window well cover. It will prevent excessive water, debris and even small animals from getting into your window well and causing problems.
How do you keep window wells from filling up with water?
Here’s what you can do to keep as much water away from your house as possible: Fix grading to make sure it slopes away from the foundation. Keep your gutters clear of debris and in good working condition. Extend downspouts away from the house to keep roof runoff from pouring next to the foundation.
How do you waterproof a window well?
How to Waterproof Your Basement Window Wells 1 – Ensure Proper Drainage. First and foremost, you need proper drainage features inside the window well. 2 – Foundation Grading. 3 – Replace Your Gravel. 4 – Use Window Well Covers. 5 – Perform Routine Window Well Maintenance. 6 – Apply Concrete Sealers.
How big should a window well be?
Your window well should be correctly sized to ensure maximum utility: Your window well should be high enough to extend 4-6” above the soil grade and deep enough to extend at least 8” below the bottom of the window. Your window well should be at least 4-6” wider than the window opening.
Do basement window wells have drains?
“Typically window wells have a drain that is connected to the foundation drainage system or drains to daylight somewhere in the yard,” Dennison said. “Over time that drain could become clogged and could possibly need to be cleaned out.”Sep 25, 2020.
Should I put pea gravel in my window wells?
Do not pour the pea gravel into the window well since it could break the basement window.
How many inches of gravel do I need for a window well?
Drainage & Backfill Procedures Use pea gravel or ¾ inch or smaller free-draining rock, around the well stopping approximately 1 foot down from the top of the window well. Backfilling by hand, start at the farthest area from the foundation, evenly distributing the stone as you fill.
How far above grade should a window well be?
Your window well needs to be at least 10 to 12 inches below the window opening. You’ll also want to leave at least 3 inches of the window well above the surface grade.
How do I keep weeds from growing in my window well?
Cover the soil inside the window well with landscaping fabric, holding it in place with fabric spikes. Lay the fabric so that it rests directly against the soil. The fabric makes the soil inside the window well more stable, prevents the soil from clogging the drain system and blocks weeds from growing.
What is a window well liner?
Decorative window well liners are a great alternative to looking out your basement window at a galvanized window well. Window well inserts are the easiest way to transform your basement windows from plain, boring metal to an attractive vista of your choosing!.
