When the rain came down and the flood came up earlier this summer, we stayed nearly dry and we are so grateful. Greta’s room was the only room that had some water damage so we moved her room up on our list. We fixed some drywall under her window, replaced carpet pad and recently tackled the source of the problem–her window well.
There were a couple things wrong here that caused the flooding. First, layers of blackout fabric, leaves and large rocks are not ideal (not even close!) for draining. Especially when they are at and above the window itself. Why anybody would put blackout fabric at the bottom of a window well is beyond me.
For September’s Ace Hardware project they asked us to go out of our comfort zone and there’s nothing comfortable about crawling into a 5 foot spider-infested window well–so, challenge accepted. … and precaution taken:
I laughed for a solid 6 minutes when Chris walked out of the garage like this, but I don’t blame him one bit. It is hobo spider season here. We sprayed the window well for spiders 24 hours in advance and 6 giant ones immediately tried to crawl for dear life.
So after spider spraying and a prayer, Chris removed all the large rocks, debris and blackout fabric and then began digging down. We didn’t have to dig far–maybe 3 inches? Just far enough so that our new rocks would sit below the window.
While he was down there, a little cleaning was in order, too. He wiped off all the old cobwebs (while I shuddered next to him) and cleaned the windows, too.
Even though our window well has a cover, it still had a lot of hard water stains from the sprinkler system. Regular glass cleaner wasn’t cutting it, so we picked up a spray bottle and white vinegar while we were getting our other supplies at Ace. 1 part white vinegar + 1 part warm water did the trick. Spray it on and wipe with a wet cloth and follow up with a dry one.
Sealing the window with caulk+silicone was another defense we took against the elements. During the process, we noticed a lot of our windows’ caulking had weathered away, so we were due.
The last step was laying new rocks. We went for “white marble chips” we found at our local Ace store (around $5 a bag) and picked up 4 bags.
I really love how they brighten up a normally very dark space and bounce a lot of light into Greta’s room, too.
Not the most exciting before and after, but definitely needed! Do you have window wells? How often do you maintain them? This was our first time since we moved in and we’re putting it on our Fall to-dos from here on out.
Ps. $100 Ace Hardware giveaway happening on our Instagram today! (@chrislovesjulia) See you there.
We’re really excited to be collaborating with Ace Hardware as a part of their Ace Blogger Panel this year. Ace has provided us with compensation and $100 gift card to get the materials necessary to complete this project–we found the shovel, white rocks, silicone, spray bottle, white vinegar, and even the spider spray at our local store! All opinions and duct taped ankles are our own.
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
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We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
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My parents dug out and terraced a window well that shrouded a basement bedroom. They used stone to line it, but I think it’s by far the best long term solution if you can sacrifice a few feet of your yard.
Something like this:
http://www.familyhandyman.com/basement/how-to-install-a-terraced-window-well-in-your-basement/view-all
This post is great. I’ve honestly been wondering for years how I would go about cleaning ours. We have two super deep ones. Ours are an odd size, so covers aren’t cheap. Spending $300 on custom cut covers is something I’ve been putting off since we moved in 6 years ago. Every year at least one animal gets itself trapped down there. Usually a mouse or a frog, but this year I scared a bunny with the lawnmower and down it went. They climb back out with the help of a 2×4 or encouragement into a bucket tied to a rope. I’ve never been brave enough to actually go in there and clean it out and my husband freaks out at the thought of a spider, so no way he’s going in. I may just have to try out the pants + duct tape pants. The bug spray is also a great idea.
I love your Sunday School song reference. It made me giggle.
;)
Would you ever consider painting the metal in the well a color like White? Just thinking out loud. Everything is looking great.
That was my original thought, too! I was worried about the white paint showing a lot of dirt, but I haven’t tossed the idea out completely.
My first thought was that you should paint the window well white and add some potted plants.
I don’t think a potted plant would ever survive in the well, but some fake ones would be cute!
Ideally underneath the black fabric (separation geotextile) would be a sand or gravel that drains well– so the water would be whisked away. Then when you get sediment from the breakdown of leaves/spiders/dirt/grass it won’t muck up the drainage material. The white rocks look nice!
That would be ideal. Unfortunately this is the only well (of 4) that has blackout fabric and it is the only window that flooded. Could definitely be coincidence.
Hahaha….
Have you thought about getting the window wells with stairs on them so she could get out in case of an emergency?
We actually have a window well ladder that is usually in place here (along with a cover), but we removed it for the photos.
Looks great! We just did all of ours a couple weeks ago. Are you sure the black fabric wasn’t weed barrier? We just sprayed window wells, but used a black cloth weed barrier under our deck for extra protection.
It was weed barrier. We have had really bad experiences with the stuff, so we’re happy to trash it.
Also, it prevents water from draining properly, which is why Greta’s room flooded.
Wow! I had no clue that a window well even existed. I swear I have NEVER heard of such. We live in southeast Arkansas and homes don’t have basements… or window wells. I can’t imagine having to get down there with all the creepy crawlies! Better Chris than me!
It would also be lovely in summer to fill the well with potted flowers and aromatic herbs. Greta would have her own little garden to care for, and could open the window to enjoy their colors and scents.
This exactly!!
It is so much better already, some potted plants is all you need.
Loving Greta´room.
sorry, that was me :)
Ooh, and maybe some gnomes or little deer or something…like all the kitschy stuff people put in those trendy terrariums.
Kind of fascinated by the possibilities. These definitely do not exist in Alabama. We get way too much rain.
I like that idea!
Bahahaha… that picture of duct tape pants!!! Not sure I would have the guts to crawl into a spider hole even if someone sprayed it.
Anyways… great info! I never really think of window wells needing any maintenance.
Looks great! I know you’re going to do amazing things with Greta’s room. It’s a bummer that she’ll still have to look out at that corrugated steel. I bet you could use your mad skillz to paint a more appealing scene on that window well. I did a quick Google search and come up with this, too:
http://www.eyeopening.info/2014/06/24/wilsons-window-view/#.VBgwI_ldXvY
Oh my gosh!!! I love that. I had considered spray-painting it but had no idea this existed. So cool.
WOW! I thought about painting the steel white to add more light, but Becca’s link is outstanding!
Chris’s spider deterring pants are hysterical by the way!