Short, violent storms do most of the damage
Aurora summers bring brief, heavy thunderstorms, sometimes with hail, that drop a lot of water fast. Basement window wells sit below grade, so they collect everything that falls in, plus runoff from the lawn, a downspout or a sloped patio. Hail makes it worse: the stones pile up in the well, block the drain at the bottom and melt slowly, holding water against the glass.
Basement windows aren't built to hold back standing water. Once the level reaches the sill, water seeps around the frame and then pours in, usually down the wall and into the carpet. In a finished basement, the first sign may be a soaked bedroom under an egress window.
During and right after the storm
Stay clear of lightning
Don't go out to bail a well while thunder is close. Move valuables away from the window and wait for the storm to pass.
Lower the water outside first
Once it's safe, bail or pump the well and clear hail and debris from the drain so water stops coming in.
Protect the inside
Lift furniture off wet carpet, move boxes and electronics, and photograph the water's path and the full well.
Extract fast
Runoff that came through a window usually counts as contaminated because it crossed soil. Extraction and a look at the carpet and pad come next.
Check the wall
Drywall under the window, and the insulation behind it, may be wet even when the surface looks fine. A meter will show it.
Window well maintenance list
- Clear leaves, hail and debris from the bottom of every well in spring and after storms
- Find out whether each well has a drain, and pour in a bucket of water to make sure it flows
- Make sure downspouts discharge well away from the wells
- Look at the grading around each well. Soil should slope away from it, not toward it
- Consider clear well covers rated for the spot. Egress wells must still open from inside
- Check the window frame and sealant for gaps that could let water in
Why a well floods, and the matching fix
| Cause | What you might see | Fix to discuss with a contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Clogged drain | Water sits in the well for hours after rain | Clear the gravel and the drain, and add a cover |
| No drain at all | Water only leaves by soaking into the soil | Ask whether a drain to the perimeter system is feasible |
| Downspout nearby | The well fills fastest in heavy rain | Extend or reroute the downspout |
| Poor grading | Lawn runoff flows into the well | Regrade the soil to slope away from the house |
| Leaking window frame | Water inside even when the well isn't full | Reseal or replace the window |
General information for Aurora, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.