subject: Keep Water From Coming Through Basement Windows [print this page] Do you dread rainfall because it means youre going to have to crank-up the sump-pump to rid the underworld of water that could douse hells fires (and really steam the Devil himself)?
In more cases than not, you can stave off Satans wrath by just making sure that your downspouts are properly maintained. It also helps if you put an extension at ground level to steer the H20 away from your house.
On top of that, have you ever thought about putting-in a few windows well covers? Just those two things could sooth the savage breast of Beelzebub. If you really want to twist the Prince of Darknesss panties, forget flooding the infernal regions. Just be good and live an exemplary life. Thats pretty easy, right?
Lets Do It
What say you we run-through things youll need to do to keep water from coming through basement windows?
Hows the grading around your house? You want it to slope away from the foundation. As time rolls on, the dirt settles. Fix it by importing some cheap topsoil. Shovel the earth to make a gradual incline; one foot high starting at the house and going down to the existing level. After all of the soil is in place, pack it down.
Dont want to add anymore dirt to your location? Then take some out. This solution requires that you excavate a couple of feet below all of your basement window sills. Not from the foundation outwards. You want to dig the little pits around 3-to-4 inches away from your house. Fill every hole with a crushed stone and pebble mixture. By taking this approach you may not need to use window well covers. But if youre into overkill, go for it.
You might want to get-over your aversion to window well covers. They come in all sizes, shapes and can be bought to compliment your homes exterior. You can get bulbous ones or little flatties.
While were on the subject of window well covers, if you have them, check to see if they were installed correctly.
Which way are your downspouts and gutters facing? Are they draining too close to the basement windows? Might they be clogged with leaves and crap, plugging-up the path from the gutter to the downspouts? Make sure that the downspout extensions are spitting out the rainwater at least 6-feet away from your house.
Now that everything is copacetic, on your knees. Its time to pray for rain.
