Install window well drain tile

When you need a window well drain installed When a window well is not full of sediment there are times when it is adviseable to add a provision for improved drainage of the water that accumulates within a window well. If alot of water falls into the window well and it is accumulating, you need a drain installed. A window well drain provides excellent drainage especially when you have clay soil, commonly found throughout the GTA, that has poor drainage qualities.

A window well drain is, in reality, a simple water management technique, in that the installed drain is essentially the same as the drain in your kitchen sink. Both of these drains are used to drain water that has accumulated within a basin. Both drain applications involve a drain pipe to channel the accumulated basin water to a designated drainage point; in the case of window wells, the water is drained to the weeping tile system at the base of your foundation wall.

A window well drain is installed in 4 steps as detailed below. Note: we have omitted certain installation details that our company uses in order to avoid educating our competitors on the most reliable way to install window wells and drains. If the water drains efficiently, but water is getting into your basement, it is likely that you have a leaking foundation crack originating at one of the window corners. Considering the purchase of a plastic window well cover?

Consider getting a hinged one instead. Many homeowners make the understandable mistake of installing. Proper window well drains are 4 inches in diameter and drain the water in the window well to the weeping tile system installed underground along the footing of the foundation walls.

Installation of a drain pipe with a drain cover to prevent debris from entering the pipe; Here is an excellent account of how to make a french drain. Install a drain pipe to carry the water into the gravel layer. How to install an egress window with pictures wikihow. Window well installation must be properly drained or you risk having water run into your basement through the foundation windows during a rain event.

Install bifold doors new construction window well drain cover. It works well to drain. Or, using our modern window well drainage solution:.

Pin On How Tos. Stonewell Egress Window Well — Sandstone. Your email address will not be published. Augers are large drills that help dig straight holes in the ground.

Position the end of the auger in the center of the hole you just dug to place your drain. Turn the auger on and push it slowly into the ground so it bores down about 1 foot 30 cm.

Pull the auger out from the ground to clean off any dirt on the blades. Continue digging out 1 foot 30 cm at a time until you reach a layer of gravel under your home.

Put a perforated tube with a drain cap in the hole so the well can drain. Look for a perforated tube with a 4—5 in 10—13 cm diameter at your local hardware store. Measure the depth of the drain hole and get a tube that's the same length. Place the tube in the center of the drain hole and drain cap on top so dirt and gravel can't get inside and clog it. If you can't find a pipe with perforation, then cut 2 in 5. The drain tube will help divert water out of the well toward your home's weeping tile, which is the underground drainage pipe that moves water away from your home.

Backfill the hole around the tube with gravel. Make sure the tube is centered in the drain hole and hold it in place. Pour gravel around the outside of the tube to provide better drainage for the well and to hold the tube in place. Continue packing gravel into the hole until it's level with the drain cap. Part 2. Set the window well against your foundation so it's level. Put the window well in the hole you dug and push it firmly against the walls of your foundation.

Make sure that the edges of the sides of the well are about 3 inches 7. Set a level on top of the well to see if it's straight, and pack dirt underneath the lower side if you need to. If the window well is closer than 6 inches 15 cm to your siding, dig your hole deeper until you have a 6 in 15 cm buffer.

Mark the location of the predrilled holes on your foundation with a marker. Hold the window well tightly against your home and use a marker to put dots on your foundation in the center of each hole.

Check that the window well doesn't shift around while you're making your marks or else the holes won't line up when you try to attach the well later on. After you draw all of the marks, take the window well out of the hole.

If your window well doesn't already have holes drilled in the sides, then you may need to make your own holes. Drill 2 in 5. Hold the drill bit straight against one of your marks on the foundation and turn it on to cut through the concrete. Make the holes about 2 inches 5. Continue drilling holes at each of your marks along the foundation wall. You can use a regular rotary drill, but it will take longer and may damage the machine. Check your local hardware store to see if they rent hammer drills so you don't need to buy one.

Screw the window well into place using masonry anchors. Unscrew the nuts from the anchor sleeves and slide the sleeves into the holes you drilled. Position the window well in front of the sleeves and screw the nuts back into the sleeves. Tighten the nuts with a socket wrench so the window well stays firmly in place.

Apply a line of caulk around the well if you want additional protection. Caulking around the sides can help seal the window well from water to prevent more leaks. Load the caulk into a dispenser and squeeze the trigger to apply it.

Work around the sides of the window well with a thin line of caulk to seal it. Part 3. Fill the bottom 2—3 in 5. Pour the gravel around the inside and outside of your window well, and pack it down with the bottom of your shovel. Spread the gravel evenly over the area so you have a 2—3 in 5. Make sure the layer of gravel is lower than the window sill or else it could leak into your home.

The gravel will help improve the window well's drainage so water doesn't pool up or flood into your basement. Pack dirt around the outside of the well until you fill the hole. Use the dirt you originally dug up around the side of your home to fill in the hole. Pour about 1 foot 30 cm of dirt along the outside of the well, and press it down with your foot to pack it tightly. Continue alternating between adding 1 foot 30 cm of dirt and tamping it down so the soil around the well is tightly packed.

Leave the top 2—3 inches 5. If you can't fit your foot in the hole to pack the dirt in, use a hoe or a tamper to press the dirt down. Secure a cover on top of the well to prevent anything from getting inside. Get a window well cover that matches the size of your window well and place it over the opening.