Window Well Repair & Drainage in Milwaukee & the Suburbs
Stop Leaks Where They Start.
A window well that fills with water is one of the most common ways water gets into a basement. Basement Specialists fixes clogged, damaged and poorly drained wells so rain drains away instead of pouring in.
- Since 1981Locally owned & operated
- Free EstimatesWritten & no-pressure
- Warranty BackedUp to 20 years
- Licensed & InsuredFully bonded
- 4.7 Stars on GoogleFrom local homeowners
Window Wells
Small Wells, Big Water Problems
Window wells hold back the soil around your basement windows and let in light and air. They also sit below ground level, right where rain and snowmelt collect. When a well can't drain, it fills like a bucket, and that water has one place to go: through the window and into your basement.
Many Milwaukee-area homes have window wells that were installed decades ago with little or no drainage. Over time, the gravel fills with silt and leaves, metal wells rust and pull away from the foundation and the soil around them settles toward the house.
We look at the whole picture, from the well and the window to the drainage underneath and the grading around it, and recommend the fix that actually keeps water out.
Common Problems
Window Well Problems We Fix
Leaves and silt clog the gravel until water can't soak away and the well fills up.
Many older wells sit on dirt or a thin layer of gravel with nowhere for water to go.
Water sitting in the well finds its way past the frame, leaving stains and rot.
What Causes It
Why Window Wells Fill With Water
It almost always comes down to drainage.
Warning Signs
Signs Your Window Wells Need Attention
These are easy to spot, especially after a storm.
- Standing water in the well
- Stains under a basement window
- Leaves piled in the well
- Rotting window frames
- A well pulling away
- Drips during storms
- Rust on metal wells
- Mud washing into the well
How We Fix It
Window Well Solutions
DrainageDrains & Gravel Base
The key to a dry window well is giving water somewhere to go. We dig out the bottom of the well, install a drain that connects down to your drainage system and set it in clean, washed gravel so water soaks away fast.
When the well is part of a bigger water problem, we tie it into your drain tile so everything around the foundation drains together.
It's usually a one-day job, and it often stops a leak that's been coming back for years.
Drain Tile DetailsReplacementReplacement Wells & Covers
Rusted, leaning or undersized wells are replaced with new wells that are anchored and sealed to the foundation, so dirt and water can't run down behind them.
Clear covers keep out leaves, snow and critters while still letting light in, and they cut down on how much rain lands in the well.
For basement bedrooms, we install wells and covers that meet egress requirements.
Egress WindowsWhat to Expect
Our Window Well Process
- 1InspectWe check the well, the window and the grading.
- 2DiagnoseWe find out why water is collecting.
- 3RecommendA clear explanation and a written estimate.
- 4RepairWe fix the well and leave the area neat.
Common Questions
Window Well FAQs
Why does my window well fill with water?
Usually because it can't drain, from clogged gravel, no drain or water from nearby downspouts.
How do I know if my well has a drain?
Look for a grate or pipe under the gravel. Many older wells don't have one.
Can a window well cause a wet basement?
Yes. They're one of the most common sources of basement leaks.
Are window well covers worth it?
They keep out leaves, snow and animals and reduce the rain landing in the well.
Will a new basement window stop the leak?
Not if the well still can't drain.
How long does it take?
Most window well repairs take a day.
What Homeowners Say
Trusted by Milwaukee-Area Homeowners
“We had Basement Specialists do foundation work for us, they were affordable, completed the work in a timely manner, and did a great job at cleanup. We even had some extra work done around the porch foundation which was reasonable and looks great. We would highly recommend them!!”
“We have used Basement Specialists a couple of times. They have been simply wonderful to work with. To start with, the office is responsive, and they were easy to schedule with. Dale showed up promptly…”
“Just had them do foundation work for us. They did a good job, they did put runners down. Even put some on the basement steps, even after I told them they didn't have to…”
Related Services
You May Also Need
Egress Windows
Drain Tile
Wet BasementsWater Coming In Around a Window?
Let's Fix the Well.
We'll find out why it's not draining and give you a free written estimate.