How to clear the basement window wells
To clean window wells, scoop leaves and trash out of each one in fall, check that the gravel or drain takes water, and look for gaps at the foundation. If the window is a bedroom's escape route, any cover must lift off from inside without a key, tool or extra force.
How often to clean window wells
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Fall, after the leaves come down | Full clean-out and drain check |
| Spring, after thaw | Look for winter debris, heaving or a tilted liner |
| Before a big storm | Quick look. Pull out anything that could block the drain |
| After any water in the well | Clear it and run the drain test again |
Also check for animals before you reach in. Wells trap toads, mice and the occasional snake, so use gloves and a scoop.
Think about two jobs for each well. One is keeping water out. The other, for a basement bedroom, is letting people out in a fire. Every visit should check both.
What you need for basement window wells
- Work gloves
- A hand trowel or small scoop
- A bucket or contractor bag
- A garden hose for the drain test
- A flashlight
- A tape measure, for wells serving a bedroom
For wells at an emergency escape window, the model residential code gives these numbers. They appear in a City of Boise handout and an International Code Council document. Your state or city may adopt a different edition, and older basements may predate these rules, so ask your local building department before you change anything.
| Item | Model code figure |
|---|---|
| Well floor area | At least 9 square feet |
| Well width and depth out from the wall | At least 36 inches each way |
| Permanent ladder or steps | Needed if the well is deeper than 44 inches |
| Ladder rungs | At least 12 inches wide, sticking out 3 inches, no more than 18 inches apart |
| Window position | Must open fully within the well |
| Covers, bars and grilles | Must release from inside with no key, tool or extra force |
That last line decides which cover you buy. A clear dome that keeps leaves out is fine on a utility window. On a bedroom egress window, buy one that lifts or swings from below. Then test it from inside the well.
How to clean window wells and test the drain
- Check for animals
Look before you reach in. Move anything living to a safe spot outside.
- Lift out the debris
Scoop leaves, trash and silt into a bucket. Wet leaves are heavy, so take small loads.
- Uncover the drain
Rake the gravel back and look for a drain cap or pipe. Clear anything sitting on it.
- Run the hose test
Let a hose run in the well for a few minutes with someone watching the window from inside. The water should sink away steadily.
- Top up the gravel
Refill low spots so the surface stays below the window sill, and keep it sloping away from the glass.
- Inspect the liner
Push on the top edge and look for gaps at the foundation. Reset loose fasteners, or mark the spot for a contractor.
- Test the way out
On an escape window, open it fully from inside. Then push the cover open from below without tools.
Warning signs at the window well drain
- Water that sits in the well for hours after a rain. The drain may be clogged, or the well may have no drain.
- Water coming in around the window frame.
- A liner that has pulled away from the foundation, leaving a gap at the top or sides.
- A gutter or downspout emptying into or next to the well. Move it.
- Rust on a metal liner, or a cracked or bowed one.
- Stains or a musty smell on the basement wall below the window.
- Cracks in the foundation around the opening. Have a structural pro look at any that are growing or leaking.
If water rises against the glass, stay clear of the window. A failed pane lets the whole well into the basement. Keep out of standing water that could reach outlets or equipment. If you can't reach the breaker from a dry spot, call your utility or an electrician. Then dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, which is EPA's window for preventing mold.
How to clean window wells yourself, and when to call a pro
Cleaning a well and fitting a loose-laid cover are DIY jobs. Model code says wells should drain to the foundation drainage system unless the soil drains well on its own, and you can't check that from above. If your well keeps filling, call a basement waterproofing contractor or a licensed plumber. Have them look at the drain and the grading.
Adding an egress window, enlarging a well or adding a ladder means cutting into or changing the foundation area. Hire a licensed contractor and get a permit where your town requires one. If you're counting a basement room as a bedroom for an appraisal or a sale, ask your building department what applies.
Egress window well questions
Can I put a cover on an egress window well?
Yes, but model code says it must release from inside with no key, tool or more force than it takes to work the window. Clear, hinged or lift-off covers are the type to look for, and local rules can add to this.
Why does my window well fill with water?
Common causes are leaves over the drain, a downspout dumping nearby, or a well with no drain at all. If clearing it doesn't help, a waterproofing contractor can check the drain and grading.
How big does an egress window well need to be?
The model code calls for at least 9 square feet of floor area, at least 36 inches each way, and a ladder or steps if it's deeper than 44 inches. Check the edition your town has adopted.
Sources: cityofboise.org, iccsafe.org, EPA
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.