Egress window wells, ladders and drainage
The well is half of an escape opening. It needs room to climb, a way out, and a way for water to leave.
An egress window is only as useful as the space outside it. If the well is cramped, a person can't get through the window. If it's deep with nothing to climb, they can't get out of the well. And if it holds water, it becomes a leak at the lowest point of the wall.
How big does an egress well have to be?
Bismarck's building inspection answers set the minimums:
- At least 9 square feet of horizontal area
- At least 36 inches of projection out from the wall and 36 inches of width
- A permanently attached ladder or steps when the well is more than 44 inches deep
The well also has to be large enough that the window can open all the way.
Well materials
- Corrugated galvanized steel. Common, durable and usually the lowest-cost choice.
- Molded plastic or composite. Often light-colored with built-in steps, which can brighten the room and remove the need for a separate ladder.
- Stone-look or terraced wells. Bigger and more decorative, with steps formed into the design.
Why does my well flood?
- The bottom is bare soil or clay instead of drainage rock
- Soil around the well slopes toward the house
- A downspout empties near the well
- Leaves and snow have packed the bottom
- The well has separated from the foundation, letting runoff in behind it
Ask the installer how the bottom of the well will drain. Depending on the site, that may mean a deep bed of washed rock, a connection to the footing drain, or a drain line routed to daylight or a sump.
Replacing an old well
Rusted, bent or undersized wells can be dug out and replaced without changing the window, as long as the window itself already meets egress size. This is common when a home sale or a rental inspection turns up a well that's too small or too deep without a ladder.
The installer prices the job after seeing the wall, the yard and what's on the other side of the foundation. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone is only a rough starting point until someone has measured.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Does every egress well need a ladder?
Only wells deeper than 44 inches need a permanent ladder or steps, according to Bismarck's code answers. Many molded wells have steps built in.
Can I put a window well under my deck?
Sometimes, but the escape path has to stay open to the yard. Ask the installer and your permit office before planning a well under a deck or porch.
Related services
- Basement egress window installation
- Enlarging an existing basement window
- Window well covers
- Bedroom egress code compliance
More background: Bismarck egress window guide.
Finishing the basement or adding a bedroom down there?
Call now and a local egress installer will look at the wall, the yard and the code requirements, then quote the job.