For example if you have a window that’s 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 30 inches (76 cm) tall, then you need a well that’s at least 38 inches (97 cm) tall and 18 inches (46 cm) wide.
You can buy window wells from your local hardware or home improvement store.
Contact your utility companies before you start digging to check for any power, gas, or water lines where you plan on putting the window well.
If you don’t have an auger, then you can use a shovel but it may be more difficult to break through the ground.
You can buy drain caps from your local hardware store. If you can’t find a pipe with perforation, then cut 2 in (5. 1 cm) long slits on each side every 1 ft (30 cm) along the pipe’s length. The drain tube will help divert water out of the well toward your home’s weeping tile, which is the underground drainage pipe that moves water away from your home.
You can purchase bags of gravel from home improvement or landscaping stores.
Ask someone to help you lift and set the well in place if it’s too heavy to safely lift on your own. If the window well is closer than 6 inches (15 cm) to your siding, dig your hole deeper until you have a 6 in (15 cm) buffer.
If your window well doesn’t already have holes drilled in the sides, then you may need to make your own holes. Use a 3⁄8 in (0. 95 cm) drill bit meant for metal or plastic depending on what your well is made from, and space your holes about 5 inches (13 cm) apart down each side.
Put on a pair of safety glasses so you don’t get hurt while drilling the holes. You can use a regular rotary drill, but it will take longer and may damage the machine. Check your local hardware store to see if they rent hammer drills so you don’t need to buy one.
You can buy masonry anchors from your local hardware store.
You don’t need to caulk around the sides of the window well if you don’t want to.
The gravel will help improve the window well’s drainage so water doesn’t pool up or flood into your basement.
If you can’t fit your foot in the hole to pack the dirt in, use a hoe or a tamper to press the dirt down.
You can buy window well covers from your local hardware or home improvement stores. You don’t need to put on a window well cover if you don’t want one.
