Category Archives: Blog

How to Keep Your Pets and Other Animals Safe from Window Wells

Window wells are an essential part of your basement, but learning how to stay safe from window wells is a must.

They let in natural light into otherwise dark areas in your home, help lower utility bills, and act as an additional escape route in the event of an emergency. However, window wells left uncovered can pose a serious threat to the safety of your loved ones and animals, especially your beloved family pet. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to ensure your pet is safe from window wells.

Scroll on for more information about how to keep your pets and other animals safe from the dangers of window wells.

Keeping Your Pets Safe from Window Wells

As previously mentioned, window wells provide a lot of benefits and functionality to your home. But if they are left ignored, they can be quite dangerous. Many animals, including pets, find themselves stuck in window wells with no way to escape because they are not properly maintained. Here’s what you can do to keep your pets and other snails safe:

ADD COVERS TO YOUR WINDOW WELLS — Window well covers are good for more than keeping snow and debris out of your wells. They are also the exact thing you need to keep animals out of your window wells. Pet owners seek out homes with yards so their animals can roam freely on their own land. However, if the window wells are not covered, the yard isn’t exactly the safest place for pets to run around in.

Thankfully, most animals have a keen sense of their surroundings and won’t accidentally fall in. But, accidents happen that can lead to injuries or worse! Moreover, if your dog finds a bird or squirrel hanging out at the bottom of your window wells, chances are they jump down to their little friend (or snack!). If you have larger animals, like sheep or goats, that roam your yard, covers on your window wells are even more imperative. 

Metal grate covers will do a good job keeping larger animals out of your wells; however, the slots will allow smaller animals, such as frogs and rodents, in them. While clear, solid covers will keep out animals, large or small. To ensure animals don’t make their way into your wells, make sure the covers are installed securely and snuggly around the base of your house.

TRAIN YOUR PETS — For animals and pets that can be trained, such as your dog, make sure to include window well safety in your training. Ideally, they will be trained not to enter window wells, but it is also important to teach them what to do if they find themselves in your wells. For additional family protection, teach your pup to alert you when something is in your window wells, such as children or other animals.

Contact Windowell Expressions

Protect the animals in your family from dangerous window wells in your yard with window well covers from Windowell Expressions. We proudly offer complimentary in-home consultations and measurements throughout Salt Lake County in Utah as well as Colorado. Whether you want clear or metal grate covers, we have what you need! For all of your window well and cover needs, contact our pros, and schedule your consultation today!

Preparing Your Window Wells For The Holidays

Areas often overlooked when it comes to festive decorations are window wells, which are integral part of your home.

However, window wells are the perfect place to include some holiday flare, especially when your wells are located in common areas like your kitchen or family room.

With the holidays quickly approaching, homeowners everywhere are beginning to deck their halls with all of their favorite holiday decor.

Continue scrolling to learn more about getting your window wells ready for the holidays.

Safety First

It is important to keep in mind that as you are decorating for the approaching holidays, your wells are not a storage place. These wells need to be kept clear so they can allow for a quick escape in an emergency. Instead of putting garlands or lights in the wells, which can be a safety hazard, consider holiday window stickers, clings, or decals. Whatever decor you choose to add, make sure it does not interfere with a quick getaway if necessary.

Keep Them Clean

Keeping your wells clean, especially during the wet winter months, is important. Heavy snow and rainfall can fill up your wells, causing problems, such as floods, water damage, and mold growth. This may mean removing snow from the wells as often as necessary. If this is an issue, now may be an excellent time to install sealed clear covers versus metal grate covers. Keeping your wells snow-free will also allow more light to shine in, which is especially needed with winter in full force and the days shorter and darker than ever.

Holiday Decor for Your Wells

Windows are a great place to include holiday decor. Some people choose to outline them in colored lights or garlands, hang ornaments from them, or add extra stockings. These wells offer a unique opportunity to include additional decorations, especially if your window well is already donning a liner with a holiday feel, like homey stones or red bricks.

Furthermore, if you have kids in your house excited to have Santa and his reindeer visit but don’t have a chimney for traditional Christmas entries, window wells are a great way to let in jolly old Saint Nick. After all, a windowsill is the perfect place to leave cookies and milk.

Travel Preparations During the Holidays

Many people all across America will travel during the holidays. Unfortunately, burglars take advantage of empty houses and use wells as a way to break into your home. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent this from occurring. Here’s what you can do to keep your home safe this holiday season:

  • Make sure to lock up all of your doors and windows before you leave.
  • Add secured covers to your wells that easily unlock from inside but will keep out anyone looking to break into your home.
  • Install a security system complete with window sensors in each of your windows, including basement windows. Add motion-sensor lights and signs warning intruders of a security system throughout the exterior of your house.
  • Trim any bushes or other vegetation near your wells.

Contact Windowell Expressions

Windowell Expressions is here to help you get your window wells holiday-ready. Whether you need a clear, metal grate, or custom covers, liners, or a complete replacement, Windowell Expressions has you covered. Protect your Salt Lake County, Utah, home this holiday season, and contact us today!

How To Prepare Your Window Wells For Fall

Taking time to prepare your window wells for fall is something every homeowner should do, especially since we’re spending more time indoors nowadays.

In your list of to-dos this season, make sure getting your window wells autumn-ready is high on your checklist. Preparing for this shift in season will save you time and money in the long run.

Read more about prepping your window wells for fall below.

Clean Window Wells Out

An essential step in autumn prep is to clean out your window wells. With fall comes plenty of rain, and as the seasons shift again, depending on where you live, you can expect snow. Getting your window wells cleared out can protect your home against floods and window leaks. For your wells to properly drain, they must be clear of any debris, especially leaves.

In addition to being a leak and flood culprit, decaying leaves at the base of your well create a displeasing view from your basement. Moreover, as the temps drop outside, rodents, insects, and spiders begin to move inside. Clearing away leaves, trash, and weeds will hinder these critters from making your home theirs.

You can learn more about how to clean your window wells here.

Invest in Window Well Covers

Now that you’ve spent a couple of hours cleaning out your window wells, you’ll want to do what you can to prevent new debris from entering. The best way to keep leaves and other wind-blown debris out of your window wells is to cover them up with window well covers.

Window well covers are a worthwhile investment. Not only do they keep debris, insects, and animals out of your wells, they protect your home against break-ins and unwanted visitors, protect your loved ones from dangerous falls, and also protect against floods that can cause major water damage to your home. Whether you select grates or covers, you can find a window well cover that complements your style and design and meets your needs.

Have an oddly-shaped window? Not to worry; a custom window well cover will do the trick.

Add Window Well Liners to Your Window Wells

Dropping temperatures outdoors means spending more time indoors. Make the most of your basement spaces by adding window well liners to your home. Window well liners can be an extension of your style and just might be that finishing touch that ties the entire look of your basement together. Basic metal liners can look unfinished, clash with your style, and be an eyesore, but with a customized window well liner, your space will look intentional and complete.

Contact Windowell Expressions

Prepare your window wells for fall with the experts at Windowell Expressions! Between our high-quality products and professional services, we have your window wells covered (pun intended!) this season. With countless options, we can help you customize your wells, allowing your unique home style and aesthetic to reach out to the exterior of your home.

For all of your window well needs, such as window well covers, grates, liners, replacements, and foundation liners, contact us today! We serve Salt Lake County, Utah, and the surrounding area.

 

3 Signs You Need To Replace Your Window Wells

Although certain parts of your home add a lot of value, there may be a time where you will have to replace your window wells.

Between providing additional natural light, an alternate emergency exit, and a way to redirect water away from basement windows, window wells are an integral part of the function and beauty of your basement. However, when window wells stop functioning how they ought to, replacing them might be necessary.

Learn how to tell if you need to replace your wells below.

How to Tell You Need to Replace Your Window Wells

Leaking Windows — Any sign of a leak, big or small, in a basement window with a well is not good news. Inspect the window for other signs of leakage, such as condensation, mold, or cracks. Finding additional signs can help you pinpoint where the problem actually lies. Whether it is an issue with your drainage system or the well itself, the problem needs to be addressed right away. Failing to fix the issue can lead to further, more expensive damage. If your weather report has no rain in its forecast, use your garden hose to test your drainage system. Depending on the root of the problem, a replacement well may be necessary.

Loose Window Wells — Over time, window wells can loosen up and move away from your home’s foundation. This can occur for many reasons, including failure to properly attach the well to your basement walls, extreme weather conditions, or lack of regular care. A loose well can allow dirt and other debris to be pushed into your drainage system and cause basement windows to leak. Now, suddenly you have two big problems! A loose well will need to be replaced with a new one, as well as a new layer of gravel at the bottom.

Aged Window Wells — Unfortunately, things cannot last forever. Not exempt from this list is window wells. The materials that makeup window wells begin to break down and can become brittle as they age. Over time, you will see that your old window well is not able to perform the basic functions it once could. If you live in an older home with older wells, it is essential to include a bi-annual inspection of your home to make sure they are functioning as they should. Check for rust, cracks, breaks, and bumps—these are all indicators that your window well will soon need replacing.


How to Avoid Replacing Window Wells

The best way to avoid replacing your window wells is to ensure you properly care for them, inspect them regularly, and promptly make any necessary repairs. Learn more about cleaning and caring for your window wells here.

Contact Windowell Expressions

Homeowners need to inspect their window wells for signs of damage periodically. If you find that your wells leak, are loose, or are otherwise damaged, it is important to replace them as soon as possible. The experts at Windowell Expressions can replace your window well quickly with a new, updated, and durable window well. If you live in Salt Lake County or the surrounding area, contact our skilled professionals to get your custom quote today.

Why Foundation Liners Are a Good Idea

Owning a home is a considerable investment. Because of this, most homeowners work exceptionally hard to keep their house safe, protected, and well-maintained. The foundation of your home is arguably the most important part of your house, therefore the most important part to protect and maintain. Surely, your home’s construction team did their best to construct the foundation correctly and up to the highest standards and building codes. Now it is up to you to maintain. Enter: Foundation liners.

Continue reading to learn why foundation liners are a good idea.

Why Are Foundation Liners a Good Idea?

As previously mentioned, your home’s most important part is your foundation because your entire house rests on top of it. Over time, foundations can become damaged due to settling, erosion, or the home’s age. These repairs can cost homeowners thousands of dollars. Home Advisor reports that minor repairs, such as small cracks and water damage, can cost as low $500 and major repairs, those that involve hydraulic piers, can cost more than $10,000. 

Any additional protection you can add to your foundation is a good investment and money well spent. Foundation liners are a good idea for many reasons and come with several benefits. Here’s what a foundation liner can do for your home:

Added Protection — The number one reason homeowners choose to put a foundation liner on their house is for additional protection. Foundation liners offer an extra layer of protection and insulation against water damage, animals and pests, and anything else that can cause damage, helping your home be more resistant and repellent to harm. Newer homes and older homes alike can significantly benefit from foundation liners because they prevent damage from occurring near the base of the house.

Increase Home’s Curb Appeal — Because foundation liners come in a variety of materials, colors, and styles, you can have them look just about any way you want them. Options include stone, wood, faux elements, and more. Selecting one that will match your home’s aesthetic will set your house apart from the others on the block, by seamlessly blending in or adding a contrasting look. 

Moreover, a foundation liner can increase your home’s valuation, helping you sell it for an added profit! Additional protection and excellent curb appeal increase your home’s value, putting more money in your pocket (should you choose to sell your house).

Extra Support — Foundation liners can provide additional support to your house. Homeowners considering a home renovation or remodel should also consider a foundation liner for their house. They offer your home additional support and reinforcement when your home is experiencing strain and work.

Contact Windowell Expressions

If you want to further protect your investment, increase your home’s curb appeal and value, and reinforce and boost your house’s structural support, you need a foundation liner from Windowell Expressions. Our skilled and knowledgable professionals want to help you find in-budget and upgrading solutions for your home. Find out more about what a foundation liner can do for your house by calling Windowell Expressions today.

Basement Window Wells: Reasons for Having Them

There are many reasons why your basement should have window wells. While window wells are not a total necessity, they come with many benefits and play an essential part in the function, security, and safety of your home and loved ones. 

Continue scrolling to learn more about the reasons to have basement window wells.

Basement Window Wells Help Save Lives

Building codes all across the nation require an additional escape route in basement bedrooms in case of an emergency. While not all rooms in basements are meant to be bedrooms, it’s not bad to have egress windows throughout your basement. To make an emergency exit quick and easy, you’ll need a ladder attached to your well. If you prefer covers on your wells, there are options available with quick-release locking features that easily open and allow for a quick escape.

Basement Window Wells Let in the Light

Basements are notoriously known for feeling and looking like a cave. However, basements with window wells are much lighter and brighter because of the larger windows wells can accommodate. Basement windows offer a considerable amount of natural light by providing a clear path for sunlight to pour into your home. Even with a window well cover or grate, plenty of natural light can flood into your basement.

You can make your basement feel even brighter with a light-colored window well liner. Many of the liner options will complement your design and aesthetic. These long-lasting liners are an extension of your style and reflect light, making your basement feel as light as the rest of your home.

Basement Window Wells Lower Utility Bills

On top of making your basement feel lighter, the sun rays that the basement window well let in significantly lower your monthly utility bills. These rays offer light and warmth to an otherwise dark and typically cold space, lowering both your electricity and gas bill. Win-win!

Covered Basement Window Wells Protect Your Home

A covered basement window well helps protect your loved ones from accidents. Too often, a child is playing outside, or an adult loses their footing, ending up in the bottom of a window well. A cover on your wells will prevent these types of injuries. Additionally, covering your wells can increase your home’s security against unwanted trespassers and intruders. Someone trying to break into your home won’t want to fuss with window well covers and move on.

Another way covers can preserve your home is the protection they offer against the harsh elements. Window wells full of snow or flooded with rain can lead to leaky windows and cause costly water damage. Window well covers will help keep your home dry! Lastly, covered window wells deter unwelcome vermin, such as snakes, rodents, frogs, insects, and spiders. Wells free of leaves, weeds, garbage, and other debris will not attract critters.

Contact Windowell Expressions

Homeowners and contractors across the Wasatch Front trust the experts at Windowell Expressions for their basement window well and cover needs. Whatever your reasoning for using window wells in your home, we are here to help and fulfill those needs. Let Windowell Expressions hide your ugly with window wells, covers, liners, and more. Contact us today!

Why is My Window Well Leaking?

When proper drainage isn’t possible, water can quickly and easily find its way into your basement and other areas of your home. Leaking window wells can cause several issues, which can lead to even more serious problems. To avoid issues like mold and mildew or damage to the walls and foundation of your home that will leave you spending thousands of dollars in repairs, it is important first to figure out the cause and source of your leak.

Find out more below about why your window wells could be leaking.

Reasons Why Window Wells Leak

If you find a leak in your home, you must find the source and cause for your leak as soon as possible.

Unsatisfactory Grading — If the ground surrounding your home does not slope away from your foundation, you can almost always count on leaks in your future. Whichever way your yard slopes, the water will follow. If it’s toward your house, rain, snowmelt, or sprinkle water will find its way into your wells.

Clogged Drain — Over time, and without regular upkeep, uncovered window wells can collect leaves, dirt, garbage, and other debris that can compromise proper drainage. Moreover, critters, insects, and other small animals, such as rodents or birds, love to make window wells their home. Because there isn’t much traffic or disturbance, it’s a perfect place to build clog-causes nests.

Old Windows — While windows, in general, are not designed to be waterproof (even new windows can leak), old, rusty, or rotted windows have an especially hard time keeping water out.

How to Stop the Leaks

Once you have determined the source of the leak, it’s imperative to address it as soon as possible. The sooner you handle the issue, the less it will cost to repair.

Grade Your Yard — To avoid major issues that can affect your foundation and window wells, make sure your yard is graded correctly. Make sure your home is located on the highest point on your property, with the surrounding ground sloping away from the base of your home. The downhill slope will direct water away from your home to avoid collecting water near its base.

Clean Wells Regularly — Regular maintenance is essential for functioning window wells. Make sure to clear away leaves, twigs, weeds, nests, webs, and anything else that is out of place. Keeping your wells clean will help eliminate clogs that can lead to leaks. Learn more about how to clean your window wells here.

Cover Wells — To help keep debris, snow, rain, and other water out of your window wells, consider placing covers or grates on them. Additional benefits include increasing your home’s security and keeping your children and animals safe from falls.

Contact Windowell Expressions

Protect your beloved investment, your home, with functioning window wells from Windowell Expressions. We provide the highest quality products that your home needs, like window wells, covers, and liners that come in a wide range of styles and designs. Hide the ugly on your home by contacting Windowell Expressions today.

What to Do When Your Foundation is Damaged

A home or other structure is only as strong as its foundation. The foundation one of the most crucial parts of a building and is responsible for supporting the building above it, keeping it upright, and blocking water and other moisture. Old or poorly constructed foundations can cause serious issues and be a safety threat to occupants and neighboring structures and individuals. Your foundation needs attention the moment it becomes damaged.

Continue scrolling to learn what to do if your foundation becomes damaged.

Signs Your Foundation is Damaged

Take a look at seven common signs of foundation damage below:

  • Exterior Cracks in Foundation Walls and Floors — Keep your eye out for large, zig-zag cracks in your exterior foundation walls and floors. Bricks that have cracked or are separated from the mortar should also be examined.
  • Walls Separating from House — If you notice your exterior walls are pulling away from your house, there could be a problem and should be addressed before they collapse.
  • Interior Cracks in Drywall — There is likely a foundation issue when interior drywall cracks are floor to ceiling. Additionally, if the vast majority of nails pop out of your drywall, there could be an issue.
  • Sloping and Uneven Floors — Floors that are sloping, sagging, bowing, or are not level can indicate a serious foundation problem and pose a safety hazard.
  • Door and Window Frames Pulling Away from Brick — If your door frames or window frames are separating from your exterior brick, there is likely foundation trouble.
  • Settling and Sinking — Some settling is normal and to be expected. However, if your home seems to be settling more than anticipated or is sinking, there could be serious foundational issues.
  • Displaced Molding — Crown moldings or baseboards that are no longer square could indicate troubles with your foundation.

What to Do When Your Foundation is Damaged

When it comes to your foundation, the sooner you take action, the better:

  • Call a Contractor — If you are concerned that your foundation may be damaged, it is always good to have an experienced foundation professional come check out the problem. They will inspect your concrete slab, basement, or pier and beam foundation. A knowledgeable maintenance specialist should be able to identify the issue and repair it, stopping further deterioration.
  • Install Added Protection — Because foundation repairs are costly, it is important to take additional protective precautions to shield your investment by getting a foundation liner. Before your foundation damage becomes an issue for your home, consider a proactive approach. Foundation liners offer an additional layer of protection against the elements, routine wear and tear, and water damage.

Contact Windowell Expressions

Protect your home’s foundation with a foundation liner from Windowell Expressions. If your home is located in Utah, your house has to stand up against heavy snow and rainfalls, sleet buildup, quick thaws, and even faster freezes, causing extensive damage to your home’s foundation. A foundation liner will help protect against these elements, all while looking great. Contact the experts at Windowell Expressions today.

Transform Your Window Wells Into Gardens

If you live in a basement apartment or don’t have much outdoor space, take advantage of the space inside of your window wells. Depending on the square footage you have outside, the area inside your window wells may be valuable. You probably don’t have the space to plant rows of corn or large trees or bushes; you probably have space for a few smaller planter pots of your favorite herbs, flowers, and other plants.

Continue reading to learn more about transforming your window wells into beautiful gardens below.

Sunlight

The amount of sunlight your window well gets each day will determine the type of flowers and plants you will be able to grow successfully. Depending on the location of your wells, they may get some sun throughout the day and shade the rest of the day. If this sounds like your wells, here are some partial-shade plants that could work in your windows:

  • Herbs, like basil, thyme, dill, cilantro, mint, chives, and parsley, prefer a couple of hours of morning light and shade the rest of the day.
  • Leopard Plant — A striking shade perennial that, depending on the species, has spiky or daisy-like flowers.
  • Green and Gold — True to its name, this ground cover boasts delicate canary yellow flowers during the early spring with quilted green leaves.

If your window wells are in the shade all day long, you’re still in luck! Your shady wells can still be colorful spaces, just as long as you plant shade-loving plants that will thrive without direct sunlight. Here’s a list of full-shade plants to consider:

  • Yellow Bleeding Heart — Enjoy months of yellow flowers and bluish-green foliage.
  • Indian Pinks — Attract hummingbirds with these red flowers with yellow centers.
  • Dwarf Chinese Astilbe — These purple and pink spiky flowers will keep you smiling all spring and summer long.
  • Hardy Begonias — Enjoy the delicate flowers of begonias but in a strong, hardy version.

Other Helpful Tips

Here are a few other tips and tricks for gardening in your window well:

  • During winter months, add a clear window well cover to create a greenhouse for a year-round garden.
  • If winter is too daunting, place your flowers and plants in pots that you can bring inside.
  • Ensure your plants have proper drainage to avoid root rot, and since window wells already have drains installed, it’s the perfect place.
  • If you lack a green thumb (don’t feel bad—many people do!), all is not lost. You can still enjoy some greenery without the real deal. Instead, pot some decent looking faux flora in your window wells and relish the look without the work.

Keep Safety in Mind

It’s important to remember that egress windows are meant to supply an additional way out in an emergency and required by code. Keep a clear path and emergency ladder in place in case you need a quick way out.

Contact Windowell Expressions

If you want to beautify your window wells, even more, contact the window well experts at Windowell Expressions. We supply homeowners in the Salt Lake City area with beautiful solutions to ugly window wells like well liners, covers, and foundation liners. Give your window wells the makeover they deserve with Windowell Expressions.

How To Secure Your Basement Windows From Break-Ins

Your house is home to your most valuable items. There, you keep your family, your heirlooms, cars, electronics, and much more. Protecting these precious things from danger or theft is important, and many people’s number one priority. While basements are a convenient part of your home, they also tend to invite intruders. Securing your basement windows will keep you, your loved ones, and your valuables safe.

Continue reading to learn how you can secure your basement windows and protect your home, family members, and beloved belongings.

Keep Wells Visible

Window wells that are easily visible and not hidden by landscaping are less likely to be targeted by intruders. Avoid planting large bushes and other flora around your wells to keep them exposed. Instead, keep the landscaping around your window wells simple and small. If your home does have bushes near basement windows, keep them well-trimmed and maintained.

Utilize a Security System

Keep the vulnerable places of your home, such as basement windows, safe with a home monitoring system. Cameras, motion sensors, and window alarms work well to deter unwanted visitors. If the sight of these items doesn’t scare the thief away, the sound of the alarm likely will. Additionally, place a sticker or sign with your security company’s logo and information on windows and doors to inform intruders of your home’s system.

Put Away Your Valuables

A thief considers valuables in plain sight their unofficial invitation to break into your home. Put your essential belongings and expensive items away or use window coverings like curtains or blinds to block them from view. Of course, hiding your TV and sound system isn’t so easy, but make you put away your family’s laptops, watches and jewelry, and cash and wallets.

Outdoor Lighting

Make sure the outside of your house is well lit. Having floodlights installed in otherwise dark areas is an effective deterrent as most burglars prefer to work in the dark, and will target homes that are not well lit. If you do not wish to have a light on all the time, consider a motion-detecting light that switches on automatically when it senses movement. Motion sensor lights will not only scare off an unwanted visitor, but they will also alert you to suspicious activity outside. 

Install Window Well Covers

Window well covers are not typically thought of to help increase security because of all the other benefits window well covers offer. While most covers may not prevent burglars from breaking in, they do act as a deterrent and will slow down the burglar and may make them think twice before breaking in. For additional protection, you can install a window well cover lock to increase your home’s security.

Contact Windowell Expressions

Protect your home, loved ones, and belongings with window well covers from Windowell Expressions. Our well covers are made from quality materials that are strong, long-lasting, and look great! Whether you need standard or custom-sized covers, we have exactly what you need. Contact the window well cover experts at Windowell Expressions today to schedule your complimentary in-home consultation.