Proper Basement Window Well Drainage

Generally new window well installations include drains to to the weeping tile in order to prevent water accumulation in the window wells.

Proper basement window well drainage.

Common window well problems. Window well drainage facts today s construction practices mandate the installation of window wells when basement windows are at or below grade. Window well drains in new construction consist of a length of weeping tile. 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.

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. Not only can the well become filled with water but a drainage problem can cause the water to come through the window and into your basement. Window wells require drainage when water gets inside the well it must be able to drain away otherwise water continues to rise and eventually leaks into your basement in through the window. Wellduct is a low profile drainage channel that connects the base of the window well to an interior drainage system like our own patented waterguard perimeter drainage piping.

Drains can be connected to interior or exterior drain tile or can be run to daylight where a proper slope exists. Window wells are required when any portion of a basement window is below grade. Houses that get a lot of precipitation or that have soil with poor drainage should consider installing a. Other than sump pump failure the most amount of water than can enter your basement is through the window well.

Especially when gutter downspouts are close we have seen windows wells fill up and their windows break flooding the basement. You can put a layer of landscaping fabric between the dirt and gravel if you don t want them to mix in the future. A properly installed window well drain can save your basement from a major flood. The water level may rise above its base but shouldn t approach the bottom of the window.

2 pack dirt around the outside of the well until you fill the hole. Make sure your window well has proper drainage some homeowners overlook installing proper drainage which could cause some serious issues down the road. To determine whether drainage is the problem run water from a hose into the well to see how quickly it drains away. Then you have a whole other issue on your hands.

Window wells should always fit tightly against the basement wall. This window well was installed in a location with a dry climate and good soil drainage. In retrofit applications pvc sewer pipe is typically used.