Many homes have basement windows that are below finish grade. There should be "window-wells" around these windows that, besides creating a place for the windows to open into, keep the ground from impacting the wood trim and other window components. These window wells should be kept free of dirt, debris and vegetation----or the covered wood components will be subject to Rot and/or infestation by wood destroying insects.
Homeowners rarely keep these window-wells free of vegetation and debris and hidden damage is common.
What do your window-wells look like?
Charles Buell
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Hey Charles,
What is the reason (benefit) of having such windows? The first house I ever owned had these and I thought they were a waste. They are not good for an emergency exit unless you are a child or as small as a child and I use to have problems with one of them leaking in heavy rain. Nor would I ever think to open one for ventilation due to the ability for small rodents or reptiles to get in.
Sean Allen
Sean, long before anyone thought of finishing off basements these windows were primarilly for light and ventilation. With improper grading and drainage they can be a source of water entering the basement.
Florida homes use these as crawl spaces, vegetation is a BIG problem if there is a plumbing problem or something.
Charles, great post, and a good reminder. I usually suggest installing glass block in these kinds of openings too; that makes it much more impervious to water, but still a source of light and/or ventilation with the addition of a small vent window in the block.
Hey, did you get the SOC link to send a free card?
Vertical Lending, these look like some of the crawl space accesses we see around here too:)
Kevin, I did get the link Kevin----haven't had time to check it out yet though. Were you able to find any of Mr Connell's info on Asbestos?
That looks like ivy so that homeowner needs to get rid of it pronto. It also looks like ivy has tried crawling up the side of the house. Little vine covered cottages are not as good in real life as they were in story books.
Barbara, but with out ivy there would be no Oscar the Grouch! (ps. stay tuned for tomorrow:)
What a lesson! When I lived in Seattle, I was in a home with an attic. No basement. But I often seen the windows and wondered why they were there. I asked but no one could tell me. Thanks.
I think this is a good reminder. We don't see much of these window wells here but I did see these alot when I lived in Ohio.
Trunda, you are most likely to see them in areas with full height concrete wall basements. If you have a short wall on top of the foundation, then the windows would be in those short walls.
Carol, I wonder what the difference would be between Ohio and NY? Sometimes these things are regional or even localized within regions. Some areas near rivers and flood plains for example often don't have basements to avoid unwanted swimming pools:)
Good tip Charlie. I see wells like that all the time. I think people really don't know why they are there.
Charles, I see a lot of these in some of the older houses here in this area too. And, like your picture, they are about in the same shape. Good post...
Steve, some think they are giant in-ground plant pots:)
Michael, I guess homeowners are similar everywhere.
I've seen A few window wells Out here in NY state. My grandmother's house used to have them. As I recall they were made with rounded metal with small stones in the bottom I guess to prevent plant growth. and drainage? I don't remember them being too much of a pain in the butt I guess if they are properly maintained they can be nice. I might have even jumped in a few and used it as a fox hole/hiding place.
The old Florida homes are about 18" off the ground and servicable only thru the wells.