subject: Reasons For A Window Well Cover [print this page] Actually, contrary to what most people think, the primary reason for a window well cover is not to keep water out of the window well. Rather it is to keep leaves, small animals and small children out of the window well. Most window wells are built to properly drain water away from the basement, and only on rare occasions will they fill with water.
Many window well covers, especially polycarbonate window well covers, also keep out rain and snow. This can be very important especially if the window is necessary in the event of an emergency egress from the basement.
One caution to take is to check the strength of the cover at its center. You want to make sure that the window well cover can support the weight of a person should they happen to stand directly in the center of the cover. Many home inspectors suggest window well covers as a precautionary measure to prevent people from falling into the well.
There are many stories about possums, skunks, lizards and snakes taking up residence in home owners window wells. It is particularly important to cover your wells if you live anywhere near open fields or woods where such animals may find your wells and consider them good homes. The last thing you want to have to do is convince a skunk to leave your window well!
Whether you want the window well cover to keep out the elements, animals, or small children, find one that meets your needs, fits correctly, and is not flimsy.
