Englewood Window Well Inspection Checklist, Before Storm Season

Bring these

Remove leaves, trash, dead plants and any animal nests from the well.
Measure from the top of the gravel to the bottom of the window sill. Several inches of clearance gives water room before it reaches the window.
Probe the gravel with a trowel. Clean, loose stone drains; stone packed with silt or soil does not.
Look for a drain pipe or cleanout at the bottom. If there is one, run a hose into it for a few minutes and watch whether water drains away.
Check where the well liner meets the foundation for gaps, rust-through or separation.
Confirm the top of the liner sits a few inches above the surrounding soil so surface runoff cannot flow in.
Look straight up: is there a gutter seam, corner or downspout directly above the well?
Inspect the window frame and sill for peeling paint, soft wood or rust where water has sat.
If a cover is installed, check that it is intact, sloped to shed water, and on a bedroom window opens easily from inside.
On an egress window, confirm the well is wide enough to climb out and any ladder or steps are secure.

IfGravel is packed with soil and water pools during the hose testDig out the top layer, replace with clean washed gravel and test again.
IfThe drain pipe backs up immediatelyHave a plumber or drainage contractor clear or camera the line.
IfThere is no drain and the well has filled beforeGet a quote for adding one, and in the meantime keep a cover on and roof water redirected.
IfThe liner has pulled away from the wallReattach and seal it, or replace it, so water cannot run down between the liner and the foundation.
IfSoil is level with or above the liner rimRegrade so the ground slopes away and the rim stands proud of the soil.
IfA gutter corner overflows above the wellClean the gutter, check the slope and consider a larger downspout or a diverter.