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View Full Version : Basement window leaks from rain wash


basementwindowp
Sep 18, 2008, 10:11 AM
My home sits in a elongated bowl and receives runoff into the back yard from neighbors homes.

Two external french drains on either side of my house have been installed.

The runoff proceeds down the right side of my home between an 18 foot span that is the end of a neighbors yard to my side basement windows.

6 feet of the 18 feet is the length from my basement window to the lowest point of the "V" formed by the remaining 12 feet (at about a 45 degree incline) to the neighbors property.

When there is a downpour the rain runs down the "V" (french drain tile there too).

If the downpour is torrential the water stands long enough to build a pool o n th 6 feet and come though the basement window casing.

I have installed drain tile inside with a basement wall lip and a sump pump so any window leakage (sometimes like a faucet) goes into the drain tile.

I am considering window wells but would welcome any advice.

ballengerb1
Sep 18, 2008, 10:49 AM
A window well would likely fill up in a few minutes unless it was tied to a sump pump system that could expel the water away from the home. What would cause the water to start to stand, remove that obstruction and maybe your issue is solved. Regrading usually can help greatly in a situation like this. If you don't mind never opening the windows you can also seal them water tight with a good silicone caulk.

ballengerb1
Sep 18, 2008, 01:00 PM
Now try to explain to me how I earned an inaccurate answer rating from you. Window wells are not 100% water tight, you said that the water stands, a flood is not standing water and I'm the one who suggested a sump pump to drain the water elsewhere. Which point is inaccurate please.

hkstroud
Sep 18, 2008, 07:39 PM
What Bob was saying was that you should first look to make sure that there is no obstructions to the water draining out what you are calling French drains, but I suspect are yard drains. A French drain is a system designed to carry away underground water. A yard drain would be designed to carry away surface water.

A window well will probably help, especially if you take the time to seal it to the basement wall. You would be better off putting a sump pump in the window well, to take away any water that gets in the well, than waiting for it to come in the house through the window.

We don't give reddies (I Disagree) for differences of opinion, minor points or difficulties in communication. Reddies are reserved for significant factual inaccuracy or misleading information.

basementwindowp
Sep 19, 2008, 09:46 AM
I'm sorry, I'm the novice asking for advice. What Bob and Harold are saying is correct. The drains (corregated tube with siphon holes laid in gravel) are slightly buried.
Whatever they are called cannot carry the water away fast enough during heavy downpour. The water is still flowing toward the street on the grass surface, but spreads out and reaches the basement windows (five) which sit flush with the surface. There is a grading problem, but the grading woiuld be so significant that retrenching the "V" down several inches would be easier than grading.
The sump pump for 5 window wells seem like overkill rather than a window well that can extend a foot above the grass surface to keep the water at bay long enough for it to be carried away.

hkstroud
Sep 19, 2008, 03:37 PM
Put in the window wells, at what ever height you would like. Just try to get them attached to the house and well sealed . If you like digging, dig a trench between the window wells and put in a PVC pipe, 2" minimum, 4" better, between the window wells. Then put a sump pump in one.

"corrugated tube with siphon holes layed in gravel" sounds like corrugated pipe covered with gravel. If that is correct dig up the end of the corrugated pipe, put a short length of 4" PVC inside the corrugated and install a yard drain. A yard drain is just a grate to let water into the pipe.

I am assuming that right now the water is having to flow through the gravel to get into the pipe. The grate will let the water flow faster. All you will have to do is make sure that the grate is clear of leaves and debris whin it rains.

Can you post some pictures?

basementwindowp
Sep 22, 2008, 08:49 AM
Thanks, Those are good comments. I will try and get some pics