How to Install Weeping Tile Around Basement Windows

Basement windows are often valued for the natural light they allow into a commonly dark area of a home and, in some cases, for their potential use as an emergency escape opening. Unfortunately, basement windows can be especially vulnerable water-entry points, as they are often located below grade and may be subject to excessive runoff from the roof or downspouts. A homeowner can take actions to make the basement window area less vulnerable to leaks or divert water away from the windows. One effective means to direct water is through the proper implementation of weeping tile in the ground around the window. Modern weeping tile is generally a plastic hose with holes in it for drainage.

Mattocks, shovel and other digging tools
Measuring tape
Level
Filter fabric or landscaping cloth
Utility knife
Coarse, clean gravel

Instructions

- 1
  Remove window wells and any other surface or shallow subsurface features from the area around the windows.
- 2
  Excavate a trench under the basement windows that extends along the basement exterior. If there is an existing drain system at the base of the foundation, it may be practical to dig deeply enough that the tile can tie into the existing drain. Otherwise, dig several inches deeper than the bottom of the window well or at least two feet below the bottom of the window. Make the excavated area in the shape of a trench wide enough to accommodate the weeping tile with at least a few inches on either side. The trench must reach to an outlet such as a ditch, sump pump or drain field.
- 3
  Adjust the bottom of the trench as needed. The bottom of the trench should have a slight slope to permit efficient drainage towards the outlet.
- 4
  Line the trench with filter fabric or landscaping cloth. This will help to keep sediment out of the weeping tile and prolong the functional life of the tile.
- 5
  Place the weeping tile at the bottom of the excavated, lined trench.
- 6
  Check to ensure that the weeping tile slopes slightly towards the outlet and make adjustments as needed. Use a level or laser level and either remove or build up some underlying earth or place a small amount of coarse, clean gravel under portions of the tile that must be raised.
- 7
  Cover the weeping tiles with at least 4 to 6 inches of clean, coarse gravel.
- 8
  Place a layer of filter fabric or landscaping cloth on top of the gravel. This may only be warranted in silty soils.
- 9
  Replace any window wells that were removed earlier. If the earth under the window well must be built up more before the window well can be placed, use gravel, not soil, for this.
- 10
  Backfill around the window well exterior with soil that was removed during excavation.
- 11
  Place gravel in the window well, filling it until the gravel reaches a level about 4 inches below the bottom edge of the window.

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