How a well becomes a bathtub

A window well is a small pit set against a basement wall so an egress or light window can function below grade. Many Wheat Ridge homes have them in metal or plastic, with gravel at the bottom that is meant to drain away. If the gravel clogs with silt or leaves, or the drain line at the bottom has never been connected to a footing drain, water simply rises in the pit. When it reaches the window frame, it seeps in or pushes through a cracked pane or worn seal.

Summer thunderstorms along the foothills can drop heavy rain in a short time. Roof runoff, slope and a patio that sheds water toward the house all add to the load.

Quick checks during or after a storm

  • Look outside for water filling the well and whether it is rising toward the glass.
  • Check the inside sill and wall for a wet line or bubbling paint.
  • Clear leaves from the top of the well, but do not climb in if it is flooded.
  • Make sure downspouts end well away from the house.
  • Notice whether the soil around the well slopes toward the house.
  • Move stored items away from the window wall.

Temporary versus lasting fixes

Quick measures

  • Clear debris and silt from the well
  • Use a small pump to lower water in the well
  • Place a clear cover to deflect rain
  • Add sandbags or soil to redirect surface flow

Longer-term options

  • Regrade soil away from the wall
  • Extend downspouts and fix gutters
  • Install or clear a drain from the well to the footing drain
  • Replace worn seals or cracked glass

After the water enters

Water that comes in through a window well is usually treated as gray or contaminated because it carries soil and fertilizer. It may seep into the bottom of drywall, behind trim and into carpet at the wall. Extraction is quick if you act fast, but the cavity behind the wall may need attention, since moisture can climb in drywall like a wick.

A handful of moisture readings along the wall, taken at the base and a foot up, show whether the water went farther than it seems. If readings stay high after a few days of airflow, opening a small section of drywall is more useful than waiting.

Common questions

Are covers worth it?

A fitted cover keeps out debris and a lot of rain, which helps. It does not fix poor drainage if the well still collects water from below.

Does a window well drain connect to the sump?

In some homes the well is tied to a footing drain; in others it is not. A plumber or drainage specialist can check, and it is worth knowing before the next storm.

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