Prolong the life of your window well with a few easy maintenance tips. It’s much easier (and cheaper) to maintain your window wells and their liners than it is to replace them. Keep them around longer when you take care of them.
1. Clear Any Debris From The Drain.
The drain that clears any water build up from your window well is extremely important. If it is clogged, it could lead to damage to your foundation. Routinely check inside your window well for any blockages, back up, or debris from a storm that needs to be cleared away. Drainage is one of the most important functions of a window well. Be sure to check after every storm for any debris.
2. Does Your Cover Meet Safety Standards?
Does your window well have a cover? If so, be sure that no heavy objects are weighing it down. For safety reasons, the cover must be able to be removed from the inside. There should be no locking mechanisms on the outside of the cover. If there is a lock on the side of the cover, make sure that it is easily openable from the inside. Having your window well blocked is a fire safety hazard. You should also check your cover for any cracks or warped parts that will prevent it from doing its job of covering your window well.
3. Reapply Caulk To Well’s Liner Regularly
Window well liners often contract and start to pull apart after an extended amount of time being exposed to harsh elements. If you see this happening in your window wells, water and debris can leak, clogging your drain and damaging your foundation.
Check your window wells for this common occurrence regularly, if you see it happening it can be easily fixed with a little caulk. Wash away all mud caked around the exterior and allow the area to dry. Fix the linter back into place, apply a decent amount of caulk along the ledges where the liner meets the foundation. This will keep your liner in place and prevent water from entering your foundation.
4. Be Sure To Maintain Roof Draining System
Another source of unwanted water double up often comes from improper roof drainage. When was the last time you cleaned your gutter or downspouts? Be sure they aren’t clogged up and cause water to overflow into your window wells. This can cause problems in your drainage system problems and soil erosion around the liner. Clean out your gutters to prevent damage to multiple parts of your property.
5. Call In The Pros!
There are many maintenance tasks that you can do completely on your own. But when difficult situations arise, don’t attempt to fix it on your own. If you could potentially make the problem worse or risk damage to your property, reach out to a professional. You may need a liner replaced entirely. We are the team to help you with all of your window well needs!