Do basement windows have drains?
While most basement windows come with wells, those wells can only hold so much water before it goes through the window. Window wells on their own primarily allow sunlight into a basement room, rather than preventing water from getting in. A drain will direct excess water through an installed system and away from your home.
Do I need a window well in my basement?
Window wells on their own primarily allow sunlight into a basement room, rather than preventing water from getting in. A drain will direct excess water through an installed system and away from your home. Without one, your basement will be at risk every time you face a heavy downpour. 2. Installation Can Be Tricky
What is a window well drain?
If you have a basement with a window, you probably already have a window well. It’s the hole dug around a window located above floor level, such as a basement window. Here are five facts about window well drains for anyone thinking about investing in one. 1. They’re Fundamental for Waterproofing a Basement
What happens if you don’t drain window wells?
If leaves and other debris accumulate in the window well, thus preventing rain water from draining through the gravel layer, the water will pool in the window well and the window well drain will be of little value. If the water is allowed to pool it will eventually rise until it pours into your basement right through the windows!
How do basement window wells drain?
You need a pump to drain the water as soon as the weather conditions allow it. Depending on numerous factors but mostly on the quality of your window well, basement window and foundation insulation, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water or rent a pump to siphon off the water in your well.
Where is the drain in the window well?
Exterior drains sit in the gravel pit at the bottom of your window well. They extend to the base of your foundation and are connected to your perimeter drain (or weeping tile). Interior drains redirect rainwater to your sump pump. Water is then moved away from the property through a network of pipes.
How do you clear a window well drain?
0:442:29How to Clean and Maintain a Basement Window Well - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can usually clear out a window well by hand but if you've got a shop vac that may make things aMoreYou can usually clear out a window well by hand but if you've got a shop vac that may make things a little bit. Less creepy tip number two check the drain.
Do all egress windows have drains?
Water pouring through your egress window doesn't necessarily mean that the window needs replaced, but may just mean your window well needs to be fixed. Generally, new window wells are installed with drains to prevent water accumulation and have channels for the water to drain.
What causes window wells to fill with water?
Weeds, leaves, dirt, and other debris clog window wells, causing them to fill with water. The water then leaks through the window and into the basement.
How does window well drain work?
Window wells on their own primarily allow sunlight into a basement room, rather than preventing water from getting in. A drain will direct excess water through an installed system and away from your home. Without one, your basement will be at risk every time you face a heavy downpour.
Should window well drains be filled with gravel?
A common method to help with window well drainage is to place several inches of gravel at the bottom. This will allow the water to dissipate into the ground slowly to the weeping tile system, rather than sit in the soil next to the window.
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.
Why is my egress window leaking?
Many homes suffer leakage as a result of flooding of their window wells. This is mostly because they failed to install a central drain. Ensure that you install a central drain that is connected either to the storm water drain or the drain tile system to prevent flooding of the window well.
Do egress windows weaken the foundation?
Foundation Weakening The most taxing part of an egress window installation involves cutting through your home's foundation wall. Done properly by a professional team, that newly cut opening will be placed appropriately to maintain your foundation's structural integrity.
How deep should a window well drain be?
Now, it's time to begin digging the hole in which you'll place the window well. Start digging the hole about six inches from the exterior of the window. The hole needs to be five inches deeper and six inches wider than the original window well dimensions you recorded.
Should window well drains be filled with gravel?
A common method to help with window well drainage is to place several inches of gravel at the bottom. This will allow the water to dissipate into the ground slowly to the weeping tile system, rather than sit in the soil next to the window.
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.
Why do you need a window well in your basement?
The solution to this is the basement window well. These allow natural light to enter the basement so that the space becomes entirely more usable and pleasant. Once you get a window well there are a number of other factors you need to consider, such as which type of window well cover to use, how best to keep it safe, clean, and free from debris. However, in general, a basement window well makes a huge difference to your basement. Managing it is an essential part of ensuring your basement is a usable space.
How does a window well work?
HOW A WINDOW WELL DRAINAGE SYSTEM WORKS. A big part of the overall function of a window well is to let light into your basement – a secondary function is to help with drainage. If your window well fills with water, it can cause major damage to your foundation. As such, it’s important to get the proper drainage installed.
WHAT IS A WINDOW WELL?
The idea behind these is that you dig a cavity around a designated spot in your basement. Using the window well to hold back the dirt, you place the window well against the side of the basement. This allows you to then install a window in your basement below ground level. The window well protects the basement window from being covered by dirt and lets natural light enter your basement.
Why are window wells important?
Window wells are also important when it comes to providing drainage for your home. If they are properly installed, they will cause water to run away from your property and absorb into the earth further away. This is important in helping to prevent water from pooling around your foundation – a major potential cause of damage to the structure of your home.
What happens if it rains on a window well?
If this happens, the first time it rains, the soil will clog up the drainage system you have installed at the bottom, and your window well will fill with water, potentially leading to cracked glass and a basement full of water. Place a grate on top of the window well.
How do I repair a basement window?
1. Begin by digging an area around your basement window. This area can be either square or semi-circular – you should use the shape of your window well as a guide. You should take care when digging to avoid breaking the basement window, as the edge of a shovel can very easily crack or even shatter a pane of glass.
What is basement used for?
Basements, by definition, are below ground rooms that traditionally were used for little more than storage. However, as more and more people are refurbishing their homes, the idea of an entire floor that is unused becomes more and more of a luxury. Instead, homeowners are converting basements into usable space – home gyms, TV rooms, guest rooms, ...
Why do we need a window well in a basement?
The role of a window well is to prevent rainwater and surface runoff from flowing through a basement window ...
Why are window wells not draining?
By far, most poorly draining window wells are the result of soil and debris contamination of the gravel layer in the window well. When the gravel layer is contaminated by sediment, the excellent drainage qualities of the gravel layer are lost; similarly, leaves, newspaper and plastic bags often prevent water from reaching ...
How to increase drainage efficiency in a window well?
Solution: Check the condition of the gravel layer and install a window well drain to increase drainage efficiency .
What is the problem with a galvanized window well?
Problem: The window well is not fastened tightly to the foundation and sediment is entering the window well cavity from between the wall and the galvanized window well. Solution: Re-position the existing window well and fasten it securely to the foundation. Problem: The window well fills up with debris and clogs the drain or obstructs drainage ...
What are the two drainage provisions for a window well?
For the water that does enter a window well, there are generally two drainage provisions for dealing with accumulated water: a gravel layer and a window well drain.
How big is a window well drain?
Proper window well drains are 4 inches in diameter and drain the water in the window well to the weeping tile system installed underground along the footing of the foundation walls.
What is the purpose of a window well?
The role of a window well is to prevent rainwater and surface runoff from flowing through a basement window directly into the basement. When rainwater and/or melting snow introduce a significant amount of water in proximity to a basement window, the window well contains the water and prevents the water from flowing towards the window. ...
What is a window well drain?
A window well drain is very similar to the drain in your kitchen sink, if it is plugged with food, water will not drain away. For good window well drainage, water must be able to penetrate the gravel layer and make its way to the weeping tile via the drain pipe.
What does it mean when water enters the basement through a window?
Clear evidence of inadequate window well drainage. When the foundation wall is visible from inside you will typically notice soil staining beneath the window frame, proving that water entered the basement through the window or from beneath the window frame. This situation is attributable to poor or inadequate window well drainage.
Why does water leak from a window well?
When a window well is not installed, improperly sized, or if the window well drain is clogged, window well drainage problems cause water leaks into the basement. If the gravel in your window well doesn’t drain well, water can pool in the window well as if you had an aquarium outside.
Why is water pouring into my basement?
Inadequate window well drainage can cause a substantial amount of water to pour into your basement very rapidly, thus creating a need for improved window well drainage and/or window well replacement. Water pouring through a window into your basement does not mean that you need to replace the window. Your basement windows are not designed ...
Can a window leak in a basement?
Caution: The symptoms of inadequate window well drainage are often attributed to the window itself, and many homeowners replace their basement windows unnecessarily. Leaking windows are rarely to blame for major basement leaks; in fact, the only time a window leaks is when the caulking around the window frame is missing or has deteriorated to the point that water can penetrate the building envelope between the window frame and the foundation.
Can window wells fill up with water?
During heavy rains window wells have a tendency to fill up with water that ultimately ends up in the basement. In this article we explain all that you need to know about window well drainage problems and how to solve them.
Do you need a window well for a basement?
Today’s construction practices mandate the installation of window wells when basement windows are at or below grade. Generally, new window well installations include drains to to the weeping tile in order to prevent water accumulation in the window wells. A window well drain channels water accumulated in a window well to the weeping tile system installed along the footing which then drains to a sump pump installed in the basement, or to the storm sewer under the street.
Where does the drain go in a window well?
Most often, however, the drain goes out to the outside of the basement wall.
How to keep window well drain unclogged?
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. For this cover, you will need to make sure that it fits your window well exactly for a proper seal.
WHAT DO I DO WHEN MY WINDOW WELL IS FLOODED?
Even in the best of times, your preventive measures might fail. Then, quick reaction and speedy execution might mean the difference between a costly renovation and simply airing out your basement.
Why does my basement flood?
One of the most common reasons for a properly installed well to flood your basement is a clogged drain. Not maintaining the window well drain properly can cause it to clog up. Remove any debris from the opening of the drain such as grass, trash, leaves, and weeds.
How to keep a window well dry?
1. Make sure your well is installed by professionals and has a proper drainage system. 2. Clean your drains often , small items like leaves and garbage find their way down the drain and can cause clogging! 3. To keep your window well dry, make sure to look into a window well cover that fits your well perfectly . 4.
What to do when water goes out of well?
In the best-case scenario, you will only have to pump water out of your well. Once done, you need to check the bottom of the well. Typically, a sludge of dirt and gravel forms there. It clogs the drainage holes ...
Can you use a vacuum to remove water from a well?
Depending on numerous factors but mostly on the quality of your window well, basement window and foundation insulation, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water or rent a pump to siphon off the water in your well. In some cases, however, you will need to consult with professionals to get the water removed.
