For Kingston area homeowners, heavy rainfall and snowmelt are a common occurrence, and your home’s exterior defenses need to be up to the challenge.
While it is right to focus on cleaning your gutters, maintaining your foundation, and ensuring your grading slopes away from the house, there is often one area that gets ignored. The window well.
Window wells play a key role in directing water away from your foundation and keeping your basement dry, no matter what weather comes your way.
What Is a Window Well and What Does It Do?
A window well is a curved, rectangular, or U-shaped excavated area and retaining structure that is placed around below-grade windows.
Typically, made from galvanized steel, plastic, or concrete, these structures hold back the surrounding soil, allowing natural light to enter the basement window and protecting the space from dirt, moisture, and water pressure.
Window wells may also support the home’s safety by allowing for an egress window that enables an emergency escape option.
Without functioning window wells, rain, snowmelt, and soil can push against the window, creating pressure that makes basement leaks and water intrusion nearly impossible to avoid.
What Makes a Window Well Function Properly?
There are several components that make up a functioning window well. These include:
- Proper drainage at the base: a bed of gravel connected to the overall drainage system will allow water to drain and prevent pooling in the window well.
- Correct sizing and depth: the well should be deep and wide enough to prevent soil from pressing against the window frame.
- A secure seal between the window well and the foundation wall: eliminating gaps and separation prevents water intrusion.
- Window well covers: covers or grates can prevent debris, leaves, and excess rain from accumulating and pooling.
- Integration with the home’s overall drainage system: the window well should be connected to and work as part of the exterior drainage systems.
Signs Your Window Well Is Not Functioning Properly
The good news for homeowners is that there are signs to look for if you are concerned about the effectiveness of your window wells.
Here is what to watch for:
- Flooding or pooling water inside the window well
- Deterioration or rusting of the window well liner
- Soil or debris building along the base of the well
- Moisture, condensation, or leaks around basement windows
- Structural damage like cracks or gaps in the window well and/or foundation wall
- Musty odours or mould and mildew near the basement windows
Because South Eastern Ontario is subject to heavy bouts of seasonal rain and significant snow fall, leading to significant snowmelt, homeowners should be vigilant and inspect window wells for damage at least twice a year, once in spring and again in the fall.
Why a Failing Window Well Is a Serious Problem?
Basement window wells serve a legitimate purpose. And when they fail, they can pose a significant problem for your home.
A failing window well can cause:
- Water intrusion and basement flooding. A window well that fails to drain properly can direct hundreds of litres of water at your foundation, compromising your living space.
- Foundation damage. Significant or prolonged water exposure can lead to foundation cracks and speed up deterioration, necessitating foundation repair.
- Mould growth and poor air quality. Excess moisture creates the ideal environment for mould. Mould can not only cause unpleasant odours but can lead to health concerns.
- Structural compromise. Water pressure, known as hydrostatic pressure, against your foundation can create foundation cracks or worsen ones that already exist.
- Reduced home value. Signs of moisture, water damage, or foundation damage can significantly impact the resale value of your home.
These are not problems that should be ignored. Contact a professional to repair damage and address foundation waterproofing as soon as possible.
How Window Wells Fit Into a Complete Waterproofing System
Window wells are only one component of a complete exterior waterproofing system. Effective basement waterproofing is not about addressing a single weak point, it is about implementing a comprehensive system where all parts work together to keep water away from the foundation.
At Loyalist Waterproofing, we understand that window wells are only one piece of the puzzle and have developed a process where each step reinforces the one before it.
Our process includes:
- Excavation down to the footing, exposing the foundation and allowing us to fully assess the scope of the work needed.
- Foundation wall preparation, including repairs to any existing cracks or damage, giving us a solid surface before moving forward.
- Air-gap water barrier membrane application which directs water away from the foundation while allowing for drainage and airflow.
- Dry well installation, including perforated pipe (Big O) and clean gravel, topped by geotextile fabric, creating a path for water to escape.
- Inspection to ensure work has been completed properly before backfilling.
Each one of these steps supports the others, creating an exterior waterproofing system that channels water away from your home.
Properly functioning window wells fit into this system by connecting to the vertical drainage network and ushering water away from the foundation, preventing it from pooling against the wall or seeping into the basement.
A holistic approach that addresses foundation walls, drainage, and window wells together is the most effective way to get lasting protection against damage and water intrusion.
When to Call a Professional Waterproofing Contractor
Often, despite your best efforts, there comes a time when you need to call in the professionals.
Here are some signs you should seek professional help:
- Your DIY cleaning and maintenance do not prevent or resolve pooling water.
- You notice cracks in the foundation near or around the basement window well.
- Moisture or leaks have appeared on the interior of your basement windows.
- The current window well is old, rusted, or improperly installed.
- You are building or renovating and want to ensure proper window well installation that meets all local building codes and safety requirements.
Loyalist Waterproofing has been helping Kingston-area homeowners address drainage systems and basement leak repair since 2006. We have the local knowledge and expertise to do the job right the first time.
Don’t Overlook Your Window Wells: Call Loyalist Waterproofing
Window wells may seem small and insignificant but they are a major part of your home’s water management system.
Neglecting them can lead to damage, compromised safety, and costly repairs.
The best solution is to be proactive. Regularly check the functioning of your window wells, at least twice a year, and contact Loyalist Waterproofing at the first sign of concern.
We can help remedy drainage and waterproofing concerns, keeping your home safe and dry for years to come.