Will a new window well stop my flooding problems?

Will a new window well stop my flooding problems?

This is a very important question, because homeowners could find themselves having the same flooding problems even after replacing a damaged window well.  The important thing to understand about window wells is that their job is retain dirt, NOT to hold out water.    Flooding is most commonly caused by drainage problems and exacerbated by inadequate or deteriorated window wells.  Properly installed window wells allow landscaping dirt to be placed in such a way that water is always running away from the home.  Rain gutter spouts should be very carefully directed to a place where the water will not seep towards the foundation.  Sprinklers should also be directed so as to have the water running away from the home.

A good test is to take a hose and run water up onto your roof, and then watch where the water travels. Make sure your rain gutters and downspout are working the way you think they are.  Also put the water in various spots on your concrete and yard and see if the water makes its way toward your home.

Please note that a rusting window well still needs to be replaced to avoid flooding even after drainage problems have been solved.  In the case of a heavy downpour of rain the earth becomes saturated and extremely heavy – which is when the weakened window well will collapse with the pressure.  When this happens, the collapsed well creates a low spot to which water will flow – filling up your well until the window finally breaks from the pressure of the water and pours the water into your home.  If the window does not break from the pressure, the water will seep into your home slowly through the small drainage holes in your bottom of your windows.  

Many floods happen from water seeping up and filling the well from the bottom.  In addition to fixing drainage and replacing wells gravel should be placed at the bottom of every window well to drain away any small amount of water that comes into the window well.  Caulk should be applied to the edges of the window wells where they meet the foundation.  This caulk also protects against incidental water seeping into the well. Gravel should be held down two inches from the bottom of the window so you can see if water is building up before it enters your home.  4-6” of gravel (or restoration of existing gravel) and caulking of the wells are included in our installation. If you would like deeper gravel let us know and we can certainly include it in our quote.

SavageWindowWells.com

Mylan Savage (801) 430-3405