If water comes in under a basement window, the window well is almost always the culprit. It's one of the most common leaks in otherwise newer, well-built homes around Chanhassen, Victoria and Chaska.
How a window well works
The well is a liner, usually corrugated metal or plastic, that holds the soil back from a basement window. Its bottom should be gravel that lets water drain down, ideally connected to the footing drain tile. Water that falls in is supposed to soak away.
Why they fill up
- Clogged bottom. Leaves, dirt and grass clippings seal the gravel so water can't drain.
- No drain connection. Many wells rely only on soil drainage, which may be too slow in dense soil.
- Runoff pouring in. A well that sits lower than the yard collects water from all around it.
- Gaps at the foundation. Water seeps between the liner and the wall.
Fixes, cheapest first
- Clean it out. Remove debris and refresh the top layer of gravel.
- Add a cover. Keeps rain, snow and leaves out. For egress wells, use a cover that opens from inside.
- Raise or regrade. The top of the well should sit above the surrounding soil, with the yard sloping away.
- Install a drain. A vertical pipe from the bottom of the well down to the footing tile lets water escape quickly.
- Reseal the window. Replace failed caulk or a rotted frame.
Clean window wells every fall. It's a five-minute job that prevents most spring leaks.