I'd never had a problem with water in my
window well, so I never thought to clean it out.
Geometric mean dust lead loadings before cleaning were 43, 29, 308, and 707 [micro]g/[ft.sup.2] in the kitchen floor, playroom floor, playroom windowsill, and playroom
window well samples respectively.
Topping the
window well is a cover that can support the weight of a man while shutting out winter chill and debris, yet is light enough for even children to open and escape.
Then extend all downspouts several feet away from the foundation, and cover
window wells with plastic
window well covers.
Then build a terraced
window well to tunnel down as much outdoor light as possible.
In upcoming issues, we'll show you how to build a
window well large enough to accommodate an egress window and how to install the window itself.
If it comes from outside the
window well and enters it where the well is connected to the foundation walls, grade corrections should be made to close any low spots -- a common problem -- and ensure a gentle slope away from the foundation.
The leakage usually occurs at only one or two spots, often at a corner where a downspout has fallen off, along one side of the house where a gutter is clogged, or at a
window well. Another sure sign is a damp, inverted-V pattern on the basement wall, which appears when water enters through a hole or crack high on the wall and spreads as it runs down.
They were until we opened one of the windows to remove the plant material in the
window well. We have covers on all the basement
window wells.
Backflow prevention devices under this program are to address sanitary sewer backups only, not stormwater or sump pump-related backups, where water has entered the basement through foundation cracks,
window wells, doors or as a result of an overwhelmed or failed sump pump.
For instance, to mitigate hurricane damage, businesses should install hurricane shutters; remove dead and diseased trees and branches; and clean rain gutters, outside stairwells,
window wells, drain lines, and downspouts.