Having windows in your basement is great: they provide natural sunlight, a bit of a view and a potential emergency exit. However, having basement windows often comes with a price, and we are not talking money. The space between the window frame and the wall is very vulnerable and when enough pressure is applied by rainwater you get a leak.
So how do you enjoy the sunlight without turning your basement into a pool? Our specialists at Guardian Basement Waterproofing know a few tricks:
1. Make sure the ground slopes away from the window well and if necessary regrade. This will prevent the rain water from running straight toward the window.
2. Check the gutters and downspouts. Make sure they are doing their job carrying the rainwater far enough from the foundation. If the downspouts end right by the foundation they serve no purpose and will send more water to the window well.
3. Install window well drains. If you get a lot of rain in your area, the first two steps might not do the trick. A well drain is a duct on the bottom of the window well that is installed below the window to catch any water that raises high enough to pose a threat. The drain pipe then connects to a sump pump or an underground French drain system directing the water away from the window.
4. Install the window well enclosure. There are many different options for window well enclosures, but the concept is the same: the well is lined and covered to prevent rainwater from entering from any direction. The top cover is usually made of clear plastic or other transparent material that lets the sunlight through while keeping water and debris out.
If you are handy enough, you can probably take care of the window wells yourself, but let us know if you need professional Maryland basement waterproofing help. Sometimes window wells are under a deck or in other inconvenient places with limited access. If you already have the drains and enclosures installed and still get leaks, our talented technicians can help you figure out what went wrong.
With more than 40 years of experience in the industry in both residential and commercial waterproofing; serving the Maryland Metropolitan area and Pennsylvania. Guardian has a proven record of expertise and excellent customer service. Our staff are trained and skilled technicians that work to permanently stop foundation water leaks. Guardian installs state of the art systems and specializes in basement waterproofing, basement finishing, crawl space waterproofing, repair and foundation repair.
