How Much Does It Cost To Repair Window Wells?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The Cost Of Window Well Installation

Depending on your needs and choices, a good window well installation can run around

$500 – $1000

, give or take. This will cover the materials used, the need for regrading the project (should this be necessary), and the connection of the well to your foundation’s drainage system.

How much should a window well cost?

The Cost Of Window Well Installation

Depending on your needs and choices, a good window well installation can run around

$500 – $1000

, give or take. This will cover the materials used, the need for regrading the project (should this be necessary), and the connection of the well to your foundation’s drainage system.

How do you fix a window well?

  1. Check Your Backfill. …
  2. Test the Positioning. …
  3. Remove the Window Well and Measure. …
  4. Dig the Hole. …
  5. Insert the Window Well and Confirm Measurements. …
  6. Check That It’s Level. …
  7. Screw Anchors Into the Wall. …
  8. Add a Gasket or Sealant.

How do you fix a rusted window well?

Remove Rust or Corrosion from the Window Well

For surface-level rust,

use a coarse brush or piece of steel wool to scrape it off

. You might also spray a little white vinegar on it to help remove any long-standing buildup.

How do you replace a steel window well?

  1. Excavate a space around the existing window well. …
  2. Remove the old window well. …
  3. Remove fill from the area to accommodate the new or cleaned gravel and window well. …
  4. Clean the wall where the window well will be secured. …
  5. Fill the hole with 4 to 5 inches of clean gravel.

Does a window well need a drain?

Window Well Drain –

Every window well should have a drain to allow water to exit the window well and not build to a level that creates a basement seepage problem

. Drains can be connected to interior or exterior drain tile or can be run to daylight where a proper slope exists.

Are window well covers worth it?


Having a cover for your metal window well will help keep the snow, leaves, water, and even animals out

. More importantly, it can help with the problems with drainage. Unless the well has a special designed drain, you may end up with water inside your house.

Why do houses have window wells?


to prevent moisture damage to basement windows that are at or below grade

. The window wells keep the soil away from openings in the foundation walls while still allowing proper grading and drainage away from the house; and. to allow sunlight into a below-grade room that would otherwise require artificial lighting.

How much is it to cover a window?

Average Cost of Window Treatments

According to HomeAdvisor, the average homeowner pays

between $93 and $403

, per window, for blinds, curtains, etc. (including installation). Regardless of how simple or complex your window treatments will be, doing the installation yourself can save you thousands of dollars!

How do you waterproof a window well?

  1. 1 – Ensure Proper Drainage. First and foremost, you need proper drainage features inside the window well. …
  2. 2 – Foundation Grading. …
  3. 3 – Replace Your Gravel. …
  4. 4 – Use Window Well Covers. …
  5. 5 – Perform Routine Window Well Maintenance. …
  6. 6 – Apply Concrete Sealers.

Why is my window well filling up with water?


Weeds, leaves, dirt, and other debris clog window wells

, causing them to fill with water. The water then leaks through the window and into the basement.

Should window well be attached to foundation?

A properly designed and installed window well will be sized appropriately for the window,

bolted securely to the foundation wall

and feature a functioning drain that carries water into a drain tile system or out to daylight. If any of these features are missing or compromised, the window well is likely to flood.

Why is my window well rusting?

Why are my window wells rusting? Window wells rust

because of electrolysis (decomposition produced by an electric current.)

This means that a window well is rusting because it is touching other metal in your home -usually rebar in the foundation (via either the window buck or the well’s attachment bolts.)

What causes window wells to rust?


Electrolysis occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact in the presence of an electrolyte, such as water (moisture)

. The contact of the dissimilar metals causes a galvanic action, which results in the deterioration of one of them – in this case, the window well.

Can you paint the inside of a window well?

Soften the harsh appearance of an ugly corrugated metal window well by applying a fresh paint color.

Apply a low-luster black or brown paint to the inside wall of an unattractive window well to mask its shiny, cold presence

. Or, pick out a hue to complement your interior basement palette.

Can you extend a window well?

Vertical Extension

While a window well riser is the preferred method of handing a high window well configuration since is encloses the entire well provides better protection from the elements,

the extension option offer an more economical alternative

.

How deep should window well be?

Dig the Hole

Start digging the hole about six inches from the exterior of the window. The hole needs to be

five inches deeper

and six inches wider than the original window well dimensions you recorded.

How much does it cost to put a drain in a window well?

Costs Can Vary

For example, a company installing a window well drain from inside of your home might charge anywhere

between $750 and $2,000 per drain

and $5 per linear foot of piping. That’s not including any other waterproofing measures you purchase.

Should there be dirt in a window well?


You should regularly check window wells for debris and clean them out accordingly

. Materials such as leaves, dirt, and other scraps from the outside can infest window wells. When these objects enter a window well, they have the potential to dirty the gravel and clog up the drain.

What do you put at 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.

Should you cover window wells in winter?


Keep snow, ice, and all the elements away from your window well by installing a custom basement window well cover

. Basement window well covers help in protecting the home from melting ice and snow, and moisture in general.

How big should a window well be?

Size. The horizontal area of the window well needs to be

a minimum of nine square feet, with a minimum horizontal projection and vertical width of 36 inches

. Given the math involved, some homeowners may expect the dimensions to be the toughest part of installing a window well.

Do basement window wells have drains?



Typically window wells have a drain that is connected to the foundation drainage system or drains to daylight somewhere in the yard

,” Dennison said. “Over time that drain could become clogged and could possibly need to be cleaned out.”

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.