# Basement window wells in Laval | National Asphalte

National Asphalte, an excavation and asphalt paving contractor in Laval, the North Shore and Montreal.

A window well keeps your basement window bright and gives water a way out.

A window well holds back the soil around a basement window that sits below ground level. National Asphalte installs it during the excavation, in Laval, on the North Shore and in Montreal. The window keeps its light, and the soil no longer touches the glass. At the bottom, we put clear stone. This crushed stone has no fine dust, so water drains through it to the French drain. The estimate is free.

## How we install a window well



1. **We dig in front of the window.** The excavator clears the foundation below the level of the window.
2. **We fasten the window well to the foundation.** It rests against the foundation on each side of the window.
3. **We fill the bottom with clear stone.** Water passes through the stone and drains down to the French drain.
4. **We fill in around it.** The soil goes back against the window well, compacted, with a slope that sends rain away from the house.
5. **We leave the window well sticking up.** Its rim stays a little higher than the ground, and water from the lawn runs past it.

[See: excavation around the house](/en/excavation)

## The right time is during excavation

If you are redoing your [French drain](/en/french-drains), the foundation is already exposed all the way down. That is the time to replace an old window well that is rusty or too low. National Asphalte installs the drain and the window well on the same job. Both go into the same trench.

## Common questions

### Do I need a window well if my basement window is at ground level?

Yes, as soon as the ground comes close to the bottom of the window. Without a window well, soil and snow press against the frame, and water ends up getting in. A window well clears the window and gives water a way out. We look at your windows during the visit and give you free advice.

### Why is water coming in through my basement window?

Water comes in through a basement window when it gets trapped in the window well, against the glass. The stone bottom should let it drain down to the French drain. A window well that doesn't stick up above the ground also lets in water from the lawn. During excavation, we redo the stone bottom and raise the window well if needed.

### Can I replace an old window well without redoing the French drain?

Yes. We dig around the old window well and put the new one in its place. The bottom gets clear stone, and the soil goes back around it, compacted. If water was pooling in the old one, we also check the French drain, since it is what carries the water away. The estimate is free.

## Request a free estimate

Describe your basement windows in the quote request, with a photo of each one if you can. We then get in touch with you to schedule a visit. To talk to someone, call [514-812-3445](tel:+15148123445), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call us at 514-812-3445

Page: https://www.nationalasphalte.com/en/window-wells