A leaking egress window well in Bettendorf, Iowa corrected at the source — re-excavated to the proper depth and rebuilt with clean drainage stone so water flows away from the foundation.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Date posted: July 26, 2026
Service: Egress window well drainage repair
Location: Bettendorf, Iowa
Problem: Leaking egress window well installed too high, with a clogged drain and water intrusion
Solution: Excavated the well, removed contaminated gravel, lowered it below the window sill, and installed clean drainage stone
Window well: Re-set to correct depth with new free-draining stone
Completion status: Completed
Project photos
Project overview
A properly functioning egress window depends on more than just the window itself—it also requires a correctly installed window well and effective drainage. On this project in Bettendorf, Iowa, we corrected a leaking egress window well that had been installed too high. Because the well wasn’t deep enough, soil washed into the drainage stone over time, clogging the drain and allowing water to build up and leak into the basement.
We excavated the existing well, removed the mud and contaminated gravel, lowered the bottom of the well to the proper depth below the window sill, and installed clean drainage stone to restore proper water flow.
Many basement leaks begin outside the home. When an egress window well is installed at the correct depth with clean, free-draining stone, water is directed away instead of collecting against the foundation. At Behncke Construction, we focus on correcting the root cause—not just the symptoms—to provide long-lasting basement waterproofing solutions.
Project details
The original well had been set too high, so it was never deep enough to drain. Over time soil washed into the stone and clogged the drain, and water backed up and leaked into the basement. The correction was to excavate the well, remove the mud and contaminated gravel, lower the bottom below the window sill, and refill with clean, free-draining stone.
What homeowners should know
An egress window is only as good as the well and drainage around it. The well has to be deep enough to sit below the window sill and hold clean, free-draining stone at the base, typically tied into the home’s foundation drainage.
When a well is too shallow or filled with dirty gravel, it turns into a bucket: soil washes in, the drain clogs, and water collects against the foundation until it finds a way inside. Many “basement leaks” actually start right here, outside the wall. Setting the well to the correct depth with clean stone directs water away instead of letting it pool.
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Learn more about our egress windows and basement waterproofing, or browse more recent projects.
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Want to go deeper? Window Well Leaks & Drainage.