A small pit with a big job

A window well is a corrugated metal or concrete enclosure that holds soil away from a basement window set below grade. The bottom is supposed to drain, usually through gravel and sometimes through a pipe that connects to the foundation drain. In many older homes the gravel has filled with silt over the decades, and the drain, if there ever was one, no longer works.

When a spring snow melts or a summer storm drops heavy rain in a short time, water pools in the well. It can seep through the gap between the window frame and the concrete, run down the inside of the wall behind drywall or paneling, and soak the carpet edge below. Sometimes no water shows on the floor at all; the wall simply stays damp and starts to smell.

Wells also collect leaves, needles and the occasional trapped animal, all of which decay and can produce odor that drifts in through an older window. A clear, covered, well-drained well is one of the cheapest fixes for a musty corner.

Window well care through the Front Range year

Late March
After the heaviest snow months, clear leftover snow and ice from wells so melt does not pool against the window.
April
Remove leaves and debris, check that the gravel bottom drains, and inspect the window frame caulk.
May to June
Hail and heavy afternoon storms are common. After a big storm, look into each well and check the wall inside for damp spots.
July to August
Confirm sprinklers are not spraying into wells and downspouts are not pointed at them.
October to November
Clear fallen leaves before the first snow and set covers in place for winter.

Fixing a well that holds water

  1. Clean it out.Remove debris and the top few inches of silted gravel. Replace with clean washed gravel so water can soak down.
  2. Test the drain.Pour a bucket of water into the well. It should disappear within minutes. If it sits, the drain is clogged or missing.
  3. Check the grading.Soil around the well should slope away from the house, and the top of the well should sit a few inches above grade so surface water stays out.
  4. Seal the window.Look for gaps or rotted wood around the frame and recaulk or repair. Older single-pane basement windows may be worth replacing.
  5. Add a cover.A clear cover keeps out snow, leaves and rain while letting light in. Make sure it can be lifted from inside for emergency egress if the window is a bedroom exit.

Signs a window well is feeding your odor

  • Musty smell strongest in the room with the window well.
  • Stains, peeling paint or swollen trim under the window.
  • Damp carpet edge directly below the window after storms.
  • Standing water, moss or rotting leaves visible in the well.
  • Rust or corrosion on the lower part of a metal well.

General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.