How do I replace a window well on a basement window?

Question

I have basement windows that are below ground level. I noticed the metal wells around them have come away from the house slightly (35+ year old house). How do I properly install new ones? What are the best ways to ensure proper drainage?
We live in the Northern climate (lots of snow) in heavy clay soil.

We don't have a sump pump.

Answer 1

The proper way to drain a window well is to take an ordinary POST DIGGER and get down in there and dig down several feet till you hit the pea gravel. Fill that dug post hole with crushed rock.

Then just take the Steel Galvanized round windowwell and bring it tight to the house concrete, backfill and you are done. It is un necessary to nail the widowell to the house. Indoing so one might cause a hole in the block or concrete. Backfill will certainly hold it in there good enough.

Answer 2

the right way is to have drains in each well that drain down into the drain tiles around the foundation. The wells are just nailed to the foundation and the dirt backfill holds them tight to the house. Alot of times they dont have anything holding them. Check just under grade in the well to see if you have any drains that might have been covered over the years. If you have a sump pump chances are you have drain tile.

Answer 3

dig out around them, continue to dig down another foot, fill with gravel until just below the window sills, install the wells, back fill around the outside of the wells, pack the fill down to force wells against foundation. next buy window well covers, buy the heavy duty ones, they will last longer and hold up better against the u v rays. this is how i did mine, they drain great, good luck.