Window Well Repair & Drainage in Southeastern Wisconsin
Stop Basement Leaks Where They Start.
A window well that fills with water is one of the most common ways water gets into a basement. American Foundation Specialists fixes clogged, damaged and poorly drained window wells so rain and snowmelt drain away instead of pouring through your basement windows.
- Free inspections
- Written estimates
- Family owned for 80 years
- Since 194780 Years of Experience
- Family Owned& Operated
- Warranty BackedUp to 20-Year Warranty
- Licensed & BondedFully Insured
- BBB A+ RatingBetter Business Bureau
Experienced Foundation Specialists
Small Wells, Big Water Problems
Window wells hold back the soil around your basement windows and give them light and air. But they also sit below grade, right where rain and snowmelt collect. When a well can't drain, it fills like a bucket, and that water has only one place to go: through the window and into your basement.
Many Southeastern Wisconsin homes have window wells that were installed decades ago with little or no drainage. Over time, gravel fills with silt and leaves, metal wells rust and pull away from the foundation and the soil around them settles toward the house. The result is water stains under basement windows, rotting frames and puddles after every heavy rain.
We look at the whole picture: the well, the window, the drainage underneath and the grading around it. Then we recommend the fix that actually keeps water out, whether that's a simple cleanout and new gravel or a new well tied into your drainage system.
Common Problems
Window Well Problems We Fix
Leaves, dirt and silt slowly clog the gravel at the bottom of a window well until water can't soak away. After a heavy rain or spring thaw, the well fills up and water seeps or pours in around the window. Sometimes a cleanout and fresh gravel solve it. Other times the well needs a real drain to carry water away.
Older galvanized wells rust through, and wells that weren't anchored well can lean or pull away from the foundation as the soil settles. That gap lets dirt and water run straight down against the window and the wall. A damaged well usually needs to be reset or replaced and properly sealed to the foundation.
When water sits in the well, it eventually finds its way past the window frame. You'll see water stains or peeling paint on the wall below the window, rotting wood frames or drips during storms. Fixing the window alone rarely lasts. The well's drainage has to be corrected too, or the leak comes back.
Why It Happens
Why Window Wells Fill With Water
- No Real DrainMany older wells just sit on soil or a thin layer of gravel, with nothing to carry water away.
- Clogged GravelYears of leaves, dirt and silt fill the gravel until water can no longer soak through.
- Grading & DownspoutsSoil that slopes toward the house or a nearby downspout sends extra water straight into the well.
- Settled or Damaged WellsWells that rust, lean or pull away from the foundation let water and soil run down against the window.
Signs Your Window Wells Need Attention
- Standing water in the well after rain
- Water stains below a basement window
- Leaves and debris piled in the well
- Rotting or peeling window frames
- A well leaning or pulling away from the wall
- Drips around the window during storms
Water Coming In Around a Basement Window?
We'll find out why your window well isn't draining and fix it right.
How We Fix It
Window Well Repair & Drainage Solutions
Window Well Drains & Gravel Base
The key to a dry window well is giving water somewhere to go. We dig out the bottom of the well, install a drain that connects down to your footing drain tile or another drainage path and set it in clean, washed gravel so water soaks away quickly.
When the well is part of a larger water problem, we tie it into your drain tile system so everything around the foundation drains together.
Window Well Replacement & Covers
Rusted, leaning or undersized wells are replaced with new, properly sized wells that are anchored and sealed to the foundation, so dirt and water can't run down behind them.
Clear window well covers keep out leaves, snow and critters while still letting light in, and they cut down on how much rain lands in the well in the first place. For basement bedrooms, we install wells and covers that meet egress requirements. See egress windows.
Debris removed and fresh, washed gravel installed so water can soak away again.
A drain connected to your drainage system for wells that fill up regularly.
New anchored, sealed wells and clear covers that keep water and debris out.
What to Expect
Our Window Well Repair Process
- 01InspectWe check the well, the window, the grading and nearby downspouts.
- 02DiagnoseWe find out exactly why water is collecting in the well.
- 03RecommendYou get a plain-English explanation and a written estimate.
- 04RepairWe clean, drain or replace the well and leave the area neat.
Window Well Questions
Window Well & Drainage FAQs
Why does my window well fill with water?
Usually because it can't drain. The gravel may be clogged with debris, there may be no drain at all or nearby grading and downspouts may be sending extra water into it.
How do I know if my window well has a drain?
Look for a drain grate or open pipe at the bottom under the gravel. Many older wells don't have one. We can check during an inspection.
Can a clogged window well cause a wet basement?
Yes. Window wells are one of the most common sources of basement leaks. When a well fills up, water seeps in around the window frame.
Should I clean out my window wells?
Yes. Removing leaves and debris every year helps water soak through the gravel. If the well still fills up after cleaning, it likely needs a drain.
Are window well covers worth it?
Clear covers keep out leaves, snow and animals and reduce the amount of rain that lands in the well, while still letting light in.
Can a window well be connected to my drain tile?
Often, yes. A drain at the bottom of the well can be tied into the footing drain tile so water flows to your sump pump or drainage system.
Why is my window well pulling away from the house?
Soil settling and frost can push or tilt wells that weren't securely anchored. A separated well should be reset or replaced and sealed to the foundation.
Will replacing the basement window stop the leak?
Not by itself if the well isn't draining. The water will find its way past the new window too. The drainage has to be fixed first.
Do egress window wells need special requirements?
Yes. Egress wells must be large enough to open the window fully and climb out, and deeper wells need a ladder or steps. See our egress windows page.
How long does a window well repair take?
Most window well cleanouts, drains and replacements are completed in a day. You'll get a timeline with your estimate.
Thousands of Wisconsin Homeowners Have Trusted Their Foundations to American Foundation Specialists.
“Jayme and Scott came out on an urgent call today. Although there was no foundation issue, they correctly diagnosed a plumbing issue… I highly recommend their professional and friendly service.”
“The team at American Foundation did a great job installing steel beams to brace one of our basement walls… The work looks great and they did good cleaning up afterwards.”
“We worked with Lyle. He was great to work with, explained everything that needed to be done… Fair price and excellent work.”
Related Repairs
Related Foundation Repair Services
Egress Windows
Drain Tile Repair & Replacement
Basement Waterproofing
Don't Wait for a Small Problem to Become a Bigger One.
Let's Find Out What's Happening With Your Foundation.
Tell us what you're seeing. We'll inspect the problem, explain what's causing it and help you understand your repair options.
American Foundation Specialists — Protecting Wisconsin Homes for 80 Years.