Preventing Basement Window Wells from Flooding

A properly designed and installed window well will be sized appropriately for the window, bolted securely to the foundation wall and feature a functioning drain that carries water into a drain tile system or out to daylight.

If any of these features are missing or compromised, the window well is likely to flood. A wrong-sized window well is a rare occurrence. As long as the window well liner is wide enough to be attached to the foundation wall and not the window itself and high enough to extend above ground level it should not present any problems.

If, however, the liner becomes detached from the foundation wall due to rusted or corroded fasteners or improper installation, then soil pressure can widen the gap between the loose liner and the wall and force water into the well when the soil become oversaturated.

Fixing this requires some digging and either reinstalling or replacing the window well liner, ensuring that it is solidly attached — well worth the effort.

The most common reason for window wells flooding, however, is a clogged or missing drain. A window well should have a central drain that is either connected to an interior or exterior drain tile system or to a line that runs to a storm water drain or out to daylight.

Sometimes, in “quick-and-dirty” construction or remodeling, a contractor will slap in a window well without a drain simply to allow light in through the window. This is obviously not a good idea because the first heavy rain is likely to turn that window into an aquarium without the diversion of fish.

More often, the drain is there but becomes clogged with debris such as leaves, soil or landscaping materials. This will cause the drain to run slowly or not at all.

Obviously, the only cure for a missing drain is to put one in. Preventing a drain, either new or existing, from clogging is as simple as installing a window well cover .

Window well covers are often misinterpreted as a means of keeping water out of a window well – blame those inexpensive plastic bubbles from the hardware store for that. In fact, a window well cover is intended to keep debris out of the window well, prevent weed growth and serve as a deterrent to small animals making their home there.

Skip the plastic bubble cover – they rarely fit well, break easily and often create a “terrarium” for weeds in the window well. The best window well cover is custom-made for a specific window well and made of steel-reinforced polycarbonate plastic.

They will stand up to sunlight and bad weather and provide lasting protection for the window well, the window itself and, ultimately, the basement.

At AquaTite Basement Waterproofing Contractors, we understand the importance of preventing window wells from flooding and how to prevent that from happening. We install high-quality, custom window wells, verticals drains that will prevent basement seepage caused by clogged window well drains. Why not ask for our advice on preventing your window wells from flooding and getting it done right the first time.