How to Fix a WINDOW WELL that fills with water.

[@jshah1225]

Can you install a drain pipe that empties into a dry well, installed say 10 feet away. Will need a trench to be dug but will be a permanent solution, what do you think ?

[@MikeFixesThings]

Sure but that drain pipe and trench would need to be lower than the window and on a slight downward grade. Then how deep do you need to dig for the dry well? With all that digging, might as well dig out the window well and fix the blockage there.

[@Keifsanderson]

This is a temporary band aid. You didn't mention if other window wells were doing the same thing. Maybe you'll find a clogged drain if you dig down in the gravel. Best case scenario. But if ground water is filling up your window wells, it usually means foundation drainage that needs to be dealt with. Is there a sump pump/pit in the basement that is working correctly? When my subterranean sump pump discharge line collapsed, it manifested with my window wells filling up and water coming over the sills, but water was also seeping in through the basement walls in places.

[@kay-xs29]

Hi how did you fix that?

[@kay-xs29]

@keifsanderson

[@Keifsanderson]

@@kay-xs29 I dealt with the source or the water (before it reached my house foundation).

[@PaulBotelho-d6d]

I have the same problem but my problem is that there is only a partial drain and there is no more drain. To boot I have a finished concrete patio . So digging again will not do me any good.

[@Keifsanderson]

@@PaulBotelho-d6d All solutions fall into two categories: stop the water from getting there, or dealing with it once it is there. First option is always better. I added a curb along my driveway and a channel drain between my concrete patio and my house, because both had slightly settled and were sending water right against my foundation.

[@ggmh7844]

Should work in dry northern Utah with a window well abutted with a covered patio slab. Automatic to allow travel

[@kevinneal2575]

Certainly works for now but eventually a long term solution will be needed. As is the case with my tiny window well. My problem was, when I explained that my basement only leaked when the gutter overflowed next to the window the company told me it was ground water in the false water table coming through the bottom. I had to figure it out on my own. So the option they gave me was very expensive. It would have solved the problem of getting rid of the water coming through, because they recommended an irrigation system with a permanent sump. But they misdiagnosed why my basement was leaking. And that was disappointing.

[@devopspractice8763]

In which area do you use this pump? I am asking I am in Canada and weather in winter drops to around -40c. I wonder if it would be fine to leave this pump outside in winter?

[@MikeFixesThings]

I live in Ontario Canada. I left it outside for the winter but the hose will freeze if there is water in it. The pump runs for a minute to empty the hose after the well is dry but it may depend on how long the hose is. Also I found the water is only an issue in the spring and summer. May be wise to bring it inside in the winter and put it out when the forecast looks wet. Please click the 👍and subscribe it would help me out too.

[@devopspractice8763]

@@MikeFixesThings Thanks very much for your reply and guidance! Like and Subscribe is done. 🙂

[@aalap03]

that first difficult way is the long term and robust way. This easy one is a really fragile way.

[@kevinneal2575]

Yeah and unfortunately when they sell, it might need to be done anyway.

[@meme2156]

Bandaid. Doesn't fix issue.

[@MikeFixesThings]

@@meme2156 but it stops the basement from being flooded until the issue can be fixed. Am I Right? So why not?