How To Install Window Wells In A Basement
If your goal is to keep the soil away from your window’s foundation and be able to block water while allowing light to the basement, then it is best that you install window wells. But before you decide to install such, it is vital that you know the local building codes when it comes to basement windows and the installation of these covers. The permit is normally required for construction projects.
Actually, some of these window wells are decorative masonry structures custom-made of concrete blocks or stone. There are lots of people who like to go with pre-fabricated window wells constructed from the heavy gauge galvanized steel that are accessible in different widths and heights. At bare minimum, the window well should be as wide as your windows and should protrude at least 3 feet from the foundation of your wall.
It is vital that you find out the elevation for your window wells. Top of well must be at least 6 inches from bottom of siding but 2 to 3 inches above grade most of the time. You have to dig the ground again if you are planning to install new window wells. The dimension of the hole needs to be 2x the depth and size of window well you’re planning to install so it can create enough room to work. Not only that, you must excavate the trench for your drainage pipe. You have connect to current foundation drainage system or run water from the window well away from foundation.
Say for example that your window well isn’t draining properly, then there is a possibility that the excess water could run through window and back to the basement. Consider the construction of your window well with drain that is connecting to the foundation drain, which is running around the perimeter of your house. Be sure that the soil in wells is few inches below your window’s basement. The soil has to be sloped toward the drain. Cut small sections of drain and then install a “tee” and a riser to your drain connection. Wrap new connections with landscape fabric as this is going to keep the debris and dirt out.
Another known approach is by constructing a stone under drainage system. As for the trench, it has to be slope downhill or perhaps, away from the well. You need to use an inch or even smaller pea gravel or crushed stone as bed for the 4 inch plastic drainage pipe used in collecting water. After that, you have to install solid 4 inches pipe to be able to carry water away from your window wells. If you want to make the installation more effective, then it’s best to work with the pros.
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