Our cellar windows just above ground are now leaking waterfalls ?
by
Susan Urmey
+6
What is wrong and how can I remedy rain pouring in cellar windows? They have the curved metal that goes around them. Been here last 16 years and never had this problem till now??
9 answers
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Some photos would help!
William
on Jul 16, 2016
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The cellar window itself is most likely not the problem. You need to check the drainage area itself - you may find that an old clay pipe installed for drainage may be clogged or may need to be replaced. You mentioned you've never had a problem in 16 years. Check to see if you have a build up of sediment and gravel in your window well?
Merrie
on Jul 17, 2016
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I would agree, sounds as though your weeping tile needs to be replaced.
Lyndabgood11
on Jul 17, 2016
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I agree with Merrie and Lyndagood could be correct as well.
Sue Kiene
on Jul 17, 2016
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I concur with other's comments. There has probably been a sinking of the ground around the windows as time has gone on. Unless you find that there actually is a leak in the foundation (which it doesn't sound like), you'll have to build up the ground around the window to slope away from the house. You also may need to put in some drainage tiles. Get professional advice on that or from someone who's done it successfully on a house with similar basement windows. Also....have you had a lot of excessive rain this year? In our former home we'd not had any leakage from the windows until we had a winter with TONS of snow followed by a spring of TONS of rain. One day everyone's homes (including ours) in our area had rain water pouring in during a torrential downpour. If you're having this leakage problem every time it rains, you'll need to do a more permanent solution as mentioned above.
CK
on Jul 17, 2016
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My first instinct is that your outside storm drains/downspouts have shifted and your gutter drain pipes are not pushing your other water away from the house. Second it then is in the window well drainage system and you go to dig it up and find the problem. You do not say if it is all on one side or all well windows. This is a big difference. Check your gutter spouts and runoffs. Then prepare to dig and replace. Unfortunately most insurances do not cover issues of water if it is coming in from the outside. Final solution, wait until dry weather and sell!
Johnchip
on Jul 17, 2016
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Has there been any change in landscaping near the house? The ground should slope away from the house, not towards it. Are you getting runoff water from neighboring properties where changes have occurred? A well placed obstacle can redirect that water away from your foundation.
Susan Bechamp
on Jul 17, 2016
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In my low-lying area, I had to do a quick fix when I moved into my home. Water table rose with rain, and water came up from the bottom of the wells. I got a can of spray insulation foam, opened the window, and just sprayed a thin line around edge of window frame. Close and lock window, and you'll never get water in again. (Trim any excess with razor blade.) YOU WILL ALSO NOT HAVE A FIRE ESCAPE FROM BASEMENT, unless you have outside exit, so keep that in mind. Most important, I keep inches of peat moss up against house in low areas, deep at house, sloping away. It absorbs many times its weight in water. You've probably already added more stone or absorbent material to the wells and plastic covers over top.
Sue
on Jul 17, 2016
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I had this exact problem. First we dug the windowless out below the window, then we put stone in the window wells up to the window. Then we put the plastic covers over the window wells..We haven't had any problems since. Hope this helps.
Bet4815361
on Jul 17, 2016
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