How to Install a Window Well

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Take your prefabricated window well and place it against your ground-level window to get an idea of the area you need to dig out.

   Mark a perimeter of about 6 inches (or 15 cm) around the well with your shovel as a guide for digging.
2. 2

   Step 2: Dig your hole.

   The top of the well should sit about 6 inches (or 15 cm) above the ground.
   
   You should also allow about 4 inches (or 10 cm) for gravel beneath the well.
   
   Use your well as a guide to see if you've dug deep enough.
   
   Make sure to grade away from your foundation.
   
   This means having the ground slope away from the building so that water will not drain towards the ground-level window. ,,, Most prefabricated window wells are designed to be bolted to a foundation.
   
   This is the most secure method, but strategies vary.
   
   Consult your product for proper window well installation after Step
   4. ,,, Remember to grade away from the foundation. , Tamp the soil down with your shovel and ensure that the ground and gravel around the window well is packed and secure.
3. 3

   Step 3: Cover the bottom of the hole with 4 inches (or 10 cm) of gravel.

4. 4

   Step 4: Place the window well against the foundation.

5. 5

   Step 5: Mark where your bolts will go into the foundation.

6. 6

   Step 6: Drill into the foundation at the spots marked.

7. 7

   Step 7: Secure the window well to the foundation with bolts.

8. 8

   Step 8: Fill the bottom of the well and the perimeter between the well and the edge of your hole with a few inches (or 10 cm) of gravel.

9. 9

   Step 9: Fill any excess area around the window well with soil.

Detailed Guide

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