How to Do an Egress Window Well
An egress window installed in your basement wall adds an additional exit location. Since most egress windows will be below ground level, they require a window well. This window well needs to be large enough for a person to easily get into or out of the egress window. You can purchase manufactured window wells at your local home improvement store. Read the manufacturer's directions since recommended installation slightly varies. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Tape measure
- Window well frame
- 4-foot level
- Drill
- Masonry bit
- Wall anchors
- Hammer
- Silicone caulk
- Caulk gun
- Phillips driving bit
- Pea gravel
- Metal rake
Instructions
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1
Dig a hole in front of what will be the egress window's location. Make the hole approximately 5 feet wide, 3 feet out from the house and 6 feet deep. Save some of this dirt to use as backfill for your window well.
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2
Lower the window well frame into the hole. Position the frame so the opened end faces the house and the flanged edges rest against the house's foundation. Lay a 4-foot level over the frame's top edges and adjust the frame as necessary. Mark the screw holes onto the foundation and remove the window well frame.
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3
Drill pilot holes through the screw-hole marks. The size of masonry bit used to drill the holes depends on the diameter of the window well frame's supplied screws. Drill the pilot holes slightly deeper than the length of wall anchors you will use.
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4
Push one wall anchor into each pilot hole. The wall anchor you use will depend on the diameter of the window well frame's supplied screws. Use a hammer to tap the wall anchors into the wall until the head is pressed against the foundation's surface.
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5
Run a bead of silicone caulk along the window well frame's flanged ends. Lower the frame into the hole and line up the screw holes with the wall anchors. Secure the window well frame in place with the provided screws.
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6
Finish the installation of your egress window. Once you have installed the window, pour 6 inches of pea gravel into the window well and around the frame's outer edge. Spread it out in an even layer with a metal rake.
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7
Backfill the window well's outer edge with the soil you removed in Step 1. Cover the egress window well with a suitable cover to help keep moisture out of the well.
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Tips & Warnings
You can build a frame from treated timber or retaining wall blocks instead of using a metal frame.
