Table of Contents
Do you need a drain in a window well?
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.
How do I stop my window well 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 drain an egress window well?
The Bottom of the Egress Window Well Excavate the bottom of the window well to the foundation level and fill the excavation with crushed rock. The rock allows water to flow down draining away from the egress window. The crushed rock has an attractive appearance in the base of the egress window well.
How far down is drain in window well?
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.
Where do window well drains go?
MAKE SURE YOUR WINDOW WELL HAS PROPER DRAINAGE Some newer homes have window well drains tied to the drainage tiles located either inside of the building. Most often, however, the drain goes out to the outside of the basement wall.
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.
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.
What should be at 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.
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.
Do older homes have window well drains?
Most often on older homes you do not have a drain tile in the window well leading to your sump pump drainage system. Also a proper window well cover will help keep the water from getting in the top of the window.
Can you put pea gravel in window well?
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 high should rocks be in 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.
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.
What do you do with basement window wells?
No matter the reason, there are still some things you can do to spice up the views from inside your basement window. 1 Hang Plants. Hanging plants from your existing egress window well can go a long way towards increasing your view. 2 Decorate. 3 Plant Flowers.
How do you make window wells prettier?
You can use stone pavers, brick, or more naturally-shaped rocks. Plant ivy or another clinging plant on the wall of an egress window well. Once it has all grown over, you’ll have some greenery to look out on!Oct 8, 2013.
How do you landscape a window well?
How to Landscape Around Window Wells Plant deciduous shrubs around the perimeter of the window well, spaced at least 12 inches away from the sides of the well. Build a planter with landscaping pavers on one or both sides of the window well to pull the eye up toward the planters and away from the window well.
Can you paint basement window wells?
Painter’s Palette. Soften the harsh appearance of an ugly corrugated metal window well by applying a fresh paint color. Apply a low-luster black or brown paint to the inside wall of an unattractive window well to mask its shiny, cold presence. Or, pick out a hue to complement your interior basement palette.
