What Causes Window Well Drainage Problems, and How to Solve Them?

Window well drainage helps prevent water from accumulating around basement windows and causing leaks, water damage, or basement flooding.

Window well drainage problems can occur when the system is clogged with leaves and debris or when it is poorly installed, damaged, or missing altogether. Poor grading around the foundation and compacted gravel can also contribute to water accumulation.

Having your window well filled with water is, without a doubt, a major nuisance. If you want to learn more about this – what precisely the problem is, how to fix it, and how to maintain your window well in the long run – keep reading! We’ll share how window well drainage works and some tips on how to prevent basement flooding!

Key Takeaways

• Window wells require properly installed drainage systems to prevent water accumulation. Otherwise, they’ll get filled with water, which can leak into your basement or even flood it.
• Common drainage issues include debris accumulation, improper window well installation, and grading that directs water toward the window well, not away from it.
• If cleaning the window well and removing debris doesn't solve the problem, have the drainage system inspected by a professional.

What Are Window Wells, and Why Do They Need Drainage?

A window well is the excavated space around a basement window that is below ground. More often than not, a window well is created for egress purposes, as specified in local building codes. In other words, if the basement window serves as an egress window, the window well must meet certain building code requirements so people can safely escape through it. Window wells also serve for ventilation and natural light.

On the other hand, installing window wells doesn’t just imply creating a recess in the ground. A window well requires a proper drainage system, regular maintenance, and a high-quality cover. Otherwise, it can be a source of significant water damage. A window well drain is designed to allow excess water to escape, preventing water accumulation that could lead to leaks, mold growth, structural damage, and even basement flooding.

What Is A Basement Window Well Drainage System?

A window well drain is a drainage system that removes water from the area around a basement window and directs it away from the foundation.

Window wells can have active or passive drainage systems. The passive drainage is the simplest if you’re looking for a DIY solution. It implies digging into the window well and filling the bottom of the well with gravel – about 8-12 inches – at the same time making sure that the gravel doesn’t reach the window sill. This way, the water permeates through the gravel into the soil. However, gravel alone may not provide adequate drainage, particularly in heavy clay soils or areas with frequent rainfall

The active drainage is more complicated but totally worth it in the long run. It implies installing either exterior drains (which sit in the gravel pit and are connected to the perimeter drain) or interior drains (which redirect the water to the sump pump and then move it away from your house).

What Causes Window Well Drainage Problems?

The most common issues that lead to drainage problems include:

1. Clogged drains from leaves and dirt. Dead leaves stick together, forming an impenetrable layer that prevents water from seeping through the gravel into the ground.
2. Poor grading around the foundation. Soil should generally slope away from the house so rainwater drains away from the foundation. If the ground slopes toward the window well, runoff can overwhelm the drainage system and cause water to accumulate.
3. Improperly installed or undersized window wells. For example, the backfill soil should slope away from the well; if it doesn’t, the water will keep accumulating within the window well.
4. Compacted gravel or soil that restrict drainage.
5. Lack of a window well cover. Without a window well cover, the window well and its drainage system can get clogged from leaves and dirt.
6. Poor maintenance. For instance, it is recommended to periodically add more soil around the window well to prevent it from collapsing.

Solutions for Window Well Drain Issues

If your window well is full of water, start by checking the simplest possible causes:

• Remove leaves, dirt and other debris.
• Check whether the drainage area is clogged.
• Check whether the gravel is heavily compacted and loosen it if possible.
• Check whether water is pooling around the outside of the well.
• Remove the gravel and clean it with a hose if it’s necessary. Let it dry and then place it back into the window well. Then, pour some water into it to check if it’s absorbed into the soil.

If you’re lucky enough, cleaning your window well properly will solve the issue. If the water stays in the well, you can contact someone who can check things in-depth and solve any problems. They may also recommend additional measures like installing French drains. Nonetheless, if you notice that there’s no proper drainage system in place (which is quite common in older houses), it’s best to have one installed.

Basement Window Well Maintenance

Once the problem is solved, it’s time to schedule a regular cleaning and maintenance routine for your window wells so you won’t have to deal with drainage problems anytime too soon. For example, check the window well regularly for debris and leaves, especially after rainstorms and strong winds. It’s also important to check the window seals, frame, and glass regularly, particularly if you’ve previously had water accumulating in the window well.

If you’ve had drains installed recently, you should confirm with the installers if they have any advice on the best way to maintain it. This way, you can stay ahead of any potential issues.

Using Window Well Covers

While cleaning your window wells is an excellent method to prevent blockages, you may not always be able to do that – if you’re on an extended vacation, for example. That’s why buying a window well cover is even better than regular cleaning. A high-quality cover will keep leaves and debris from entering the window wells and clogging the drains.

There are various types of window well covers – mesh, bar, and solid covers, for instance. All of them offer different levels of protection. Some window well covers are even made of glass, thus covering the recess completely, and can be opened for ventilation.

It’s best to choose covers made from durable materials like Polycarbonate treated with UV film. In addition, make sure that the cover you choose meets local building codes. If the basement window is an egress window, you should be able to open the cover easily from inside the well and exit through it quickly. It should also meet certain dimension requirements – for example, the window well should be at least 760 mm (30 in) out from the window.

What Should I Do If My Window Well Is Full of Water?

If your window well is full of water, remove the water as soon as possible, check for visible drainage blockages, and inspect the basement window for signs of leakage or damage. If water continues to accumulate or has entered the basement, contact a professional to identify the source of the problem.

Here are some steps you can follow:

1. First things first, remove the water. If it’s not too much water, you can remove it manually using a bucket. You can also rent or buy a pump to siphon off the water.
2. If the water has leaked into your basement, you’ll probably need to seek professional help. You can remove the water yourself, but there’s likely window and structural damage which needs to be assessed. The window well may also be damaged, so you may need to have it inspected as well.
3. Until you call in the professionals, place absorbent towels around your window or anywhere else you notice water leaking. Remove anything that can get wet and damaged. Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove the excess water.
4. If you see no water leaks and you’ve removed the water yourself, check the window for damage. Inspect the glass first, as the water pressure can crack it. Inspect the window seals and the frame integrity. If the frames are made of wood, they may be severely damaged, and you’ll likely have to replace them or at least dry them properly if you don’t see visible damage.
5. Then, inspect the window well. Check the bottom of the well for dirt and leaves. Check the integrity of the window well and the soil surrounding it. If you have a weeping tile system, see if it’s not clogged.

Install Windows that Resist Water Infiltration

Besides making sure that the window well installation/repair goes smoothly, it’s important to ensure that your basement windows can resist water infiltration in case the drains get clogged in the future. Since this is a risk with window wells, even if maintained properly and cleaned regularly, installing high-quality windows is one of the most important things to consider to prevent basement flooding.

For instance, having old wooden basement windows can be a risk. They may not withstand the water pressure and are prone to water infiltration even if water doesn’t accumulate in the window well.

Therefore, it’s best to look for sturdy, durable window frame materials and properly insulated windows. For example, you can install Magic windows – they are made of our Hybrid Fusion Frame, which is a combination of vinyl, steel, and aluminum. This makes them highly durable and resistant to water damage.

Need further advice regarding basement windows? Book a free consultation with Magic! Your safety and your windows’ integrity are our priorities!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do basement window wells need drainage?

All window wells need drainage. Otherwise, water will just accumulate in the window well, the window glass may break or leak, and you may have to deal with basement flooding and structural damage.

Why is my window well filling up with water?

Your window well is filling up with water because there’s a drainage issue. Your drain system may be clogged with leaves and debris, or there may be other issues like compacted gravel, damaged window well, or faulty (or lacking) window well covers. Improper grading that directs water toward the foundation can also cause your window well to fill up with water.

How often should I clean my window well?

To ensure effective drainage and prevent blockages, clean your window well drains at least twice a year or after heavy rainstorms and winds.

What should I put at the bottom of my window well?

The bottom of your window well should be covered by an 8-12-inch layer of gravel. Without enough gravel or if the gravel is cramped, water will accumulate in the window well.

How to prevent a window well from flooding?

To prevent a window well from flooding, keep the drainage system clear, maintain proper grading around the foundation, remove leaves and debris regularly, and use an appropriate window well cover. If water continues to accumulate, have the drainage system inspected for blockages or installation problems.

When should I call a professional for window well issues?

Call a professional if you see water damage around your basement windows or if water consistently pools in the window well and the problem doesn’t go away if you remove all leaves and debris. This could indicate underlying issues that need expert attention.

How to drain water out of a window well?

To drain water out of a window well, first remove leaves, dirt, and other debris that may be blocking the drainage area. If there is a large amount of standing water, you can remove it with a bucket or use a pump. If the water continues to accumulate after cleaning the well, the drainage system may be clogged, damaged, or missing and should be inspected by a professional.

What should I put in the bottom of my window well?

A layer of clean gravel is often placed at the bottom of a window well to help water drain away from the basement window. The exact amount depends on the window well and drainage setup. Experts usually recommend an 8- to 12-inch layer of gravel. However, gravel alone may not provide adequate drainage if the underlying soil drains poorly or if the window well lacks a proper drainage system.