Basement Finishing Photo Album: Adding an Egress Window
Homeowner Chris S. wanted to install an egress window to his basement so he could later finish it. Finished basements with living space inside them are usually required to have an egress window in case their is an emergency and residents need to evacuate the home.
Todd G. from Woods Basement Systems had the tools and training to install exactly what Chris S. needed. Todd installed a new window well that would fit around the bigger egress window as well as a few waterproofing tools to keep his new window well from filling up with water.
The first step in the process was to dig out the area around the window that was going to be replaced as well as to cut out that window and extra space around it to accomodate a larger window. Once the area was cleared out, an egress window was installed with a RockWell™window well. The RockWell™ window well is a sturdy unit with a stone brick aesthetic that looks great from inside without the water leaks and shifting that real stone bricks have.
With the window and window well in place, a waterproofing system is installed to keep the window well from turning into a well-well. A clear window well cover is installed over top to keep rainwater or gutter overflow from pouring into the window well where it can press against the window and leak inside. The bottom of the window will is also covered with rock to keep mud and weeds from spouting up and blocking the view from the window. Finally, a small sump pump system is installed to deal with any water leaks from below the window well that could rise into the space now that the dirt is gone.
With these features in place, the window well will remain dry. A dry window well means water isn't leaking in around the window and that - in case of emergency - the window can be used by anyone in the basement to safely exit the building. Plus, the view looks wonderful with the RockWell™ window well and clear cover.
The Old Window
This old window is going to be replaced with an egress window that will give anyone in the basement a way to get outside during an emergency.
Window Well Installed
With the window and window well in place, the area will be backfilled and a waterproofing system will be added to keep the window well dry.
The Need for Waterproofing the New Egress Window
Water can rise into a window well as well as pour in from above. This water can threaten to leak in through the new window. A sump pump is installed next to the window well to drain any water that might get in and keep the basement safe and dry. A clear cover on top of the window well will also help by keeping rainwater out.
Window Well with Sump Pump
A sump pump is added to the left of the window well to pump any water that leaks into the window well out.
Getting a Window Well Cover
The sump pump can pump water out of the window well, but the clear cover can keep it from coming in in the first place. Rain water or gutter overflows will all be blocked by this clear cover, but natural light won't be.
Window Well Cover
A clear cover is put over the window well to keep rainwater from flooding the window well and possibly leaking into the basement through the window.
The View from Inside
The RockWellâ„¢ window well looks wonderful from inside and lets in a lot of light while still being sturdy and durable.
A Finished Egress Window
The window, window well, sump pump and well cover are all in. All that's left is to backfill the area.