Table of Contents
Can you build your own egress window well?
The primary rules for designing a window well are the code requirements for an egress window. The bottom of an egress window well must be at least 3 x 3 ft., the well can’t interfere with opening the window, and you have to provide a permanent ladder if the walls are more than 44 in. high.
What is a window well liner?
Decorative window well liners are a great alternative to looking out your basement window at a galvanized window well. Window well inserts are the easiest way to transform your basement windows from plain, boring metal to an attractive vista of your choosing!.
Are window well covers necessary?
Why Get a Window Well Cover? Anyone with below-ground egress windows with window wells should protect them with window well covers. The potential danger to children and animals falling into a window well is serious, and the concerns of wild animals taking shelter in a window well aren’t unfounded.
How much gravel do I need for a window well?
Manufacturers of the metal window well suggest digging deeper into the well and placing 12 inches of gravel at the bottom. This will allow the water to dissipate into the ground slowly. This simple project along with a cover for your metal window well will stop the water from seeping into your foundation.
How deep should a egress window well be?
To meet egress window requirements, the window well should be 64 inches wide by 36 inches in projection and between 3 to 5 feet deep (based on how far above/below grade the window will sit). For aesthetic purposes, it’s best to center the egress window in the window well.
Can I brick up a window well?
Bricking up an egress window may violate building and fire codes, which can subject you to a citation or an order to reinstall the window at your own cost.
Should I put rocks in my window well?
There isn’t really a minimum level of rocks in your window well, but the levels should be appropriate given the depth of it (and going deep is always better). However, the window well should definitely not be overfilled. This increases the risk of flooding and windows breakage.
What do you put in the bottom of a window well?
The bottom of the well should contain loose gravel, which also helps with drainage. This should not be allowed to become too compacted or it will also cause water to collect in the well. You can either replace gravel periodically or remove it and clean it before putting it back in place.
How much pea gravel do I need for a window well?
Use pea gravel or ¾ inch or smaller free-draining rock, around the well stopping approximately 1 foot down from the top of the window well. Backfilling by hand, start at the farthest area from the foundation, evenly distributing the stone as you fill.
How do you install a window well?
How to Install a Window Well Check Your Backfill. Test the Positioning. Remove the Window Well and Measure. Dig the Hole. Insert the Window Well and Confirm Measurements. Check That It’s Level. Screw Anchors Into the Wall. Add a Gasket or Sealant.
How do you keep water out of window wells?
The easiest way to keep your window well drain unclogged is by installing a quality window well cover. It will prevent excessive water, debris and even small animals from getting into your window well and causing problems.
How do you keep window wells from filling up with water?
Here’s what you can do to keep as much water away from your house as possible: Fix grading to make sure it slopes away from the foundation. Keep your gutters clear of debris and in good working condition. Extend downspouts away from the house to keep roof runoff from pouring next to the foundation.
Should I put pea gravel in my window wells?
Do not pour the pea gravel into the window well since it could break the basement window.
How wide should a window well be?
Your window well should be correctly sized to ensure maximum utility: Your window well should be high enough to extend 4-6” above the soil grade and deep enough to extend at least 8” below the bottom of the window. Your window well should be at least 4-6” wider than the window opening.
How thick should a concrete window well be?
At 8″ you should be ok.
Can you put concrete in a window well?
Window wells entail well-like openings in the earth built around a submerged or ground-level window. Various types of concrete window wells exist, including poured concrete wells.
Do egress windows open in or out?
What are In-swing Egress Windows? As the name implies they are windows that open into the room rather than out into an egress well. In-swing Egress Windows are legal to use by code in residential settings as an emergency escape because all residential doors also open in to your house.
Do double hung windows meet egress?
Double-Hung Windows They can be used as egress windows, but even when they’re fully open, more than half of their overall area is blocked by glass. That said, their overall height must be close to four feet nine inches to meet the requirements.
