Window Wells Edmonton
Window wells that hold water, rust through, or pull away from the foundation wall are a direct path for water to enter your basement. We install, replace, and properly drain window wells to protect below-grade windows and keep basements dry.
How Window Wells Become a Water Problem
A window well serves a straightforward purpose: it holds back soil and allows light and egress access to below-grade windows. But when a window well fails — through rust, deterioration, or inadequate drainage — it becomes a water collection basin sitting directly against your foundation. Edmonton's heavy rainfall events and spring snowmelt can overwhelm a poorly drained window well in hours, pushing water directly against window frames and eventually into the basement.
Common Causes in Edmonton
- Corroded or rusted galvanized steel window wells failing after 20–30 years
- Gravel fill at the base of the well becoming silted and no longer draining
- No gravel drainage layer installed originally — window well fills with water
- Well pulling away from the foundation wall, allowing soil and water to backfill behind it
- Window wells sized too small for the window, creating inadequate clearance
- Lack of a cover allowing debris, leaves, and ice accumulation
- No connection to perimeter drainage system for overflow management
Window Well Installation and Remediation
Window Well Replacement
Failed galvanized steel wells are removed and replaced with new corrugated steel or heavy-gauge polymer units properly sized for the window. New wells are anchored to the foundation wall and sealed at the connection point.
Drainage Layer Installation
The base of every window well we install is packed with a minimum six inches of clean crushed stone to allow rapid drainage of water away from the window frame. This is the single most important detail in window well performance.
Window Well Covers
Polycarbonate covers keep rain, debris, and snow out of the well while allowing light transmission. Covers significantly extend the service life of the window well and reduce maintenance requirements.
Soil and Grade Correction
Where soil grading directs surface water toward window wells, we correct the grade to ensure water runs away from the foundation rather than pooling at the well perimeter.
Vertical Drain Upgrade
For window wells in high-water-table areas or sites prone to significant water accumulation, we install a vertical drain at the base of the well connecting to the perimeter drainage system. See our Window Wells with Vertical Drains page for full details.
Why This Matters
A failed window well is one of the most overlooked sources of basement water intrusion. Homeowners invest in waterproofing systems and sump pumps but neglect window wells that are quietly directing water straight to the foundation wall. Properly installed and maintained window wells protect window frames, prevent water entry at grade level, and contribute to the overall drainage performance of the building envelope.
