Basement window level with the ground water leak prevention
When a basement window sits even with the ground, contractors offer completely conflicting recommendations for keeping water out. This leaves homeowners guessing at the right fix while waiting for an inevitable leak to happen.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- Most of it landed at once — the busiest month was September 2026, with 8 people.
- This comes up 10.9× more often in r/Landscaping than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Ensuring the ground around the window is graded appropriatelyDid this help you?
- 2Sealing the windowDid this help you?
- 3Installing a window wellDid this help you?
- 4Closing up the window completelyDid this help you?
- 5Grinding or removing the rust, filling holes with epoxy, and resealing the existing steel buckDid this help you?
- 6Cutting out the existing steel buck and installing a slightly larger windowDid this help you?
- 7Removing the existing steel buck and replacing it with an aluminum frame systemDid this help you?
- 8digging the window well deeperDid this help you?
- 9replacing stones with a metal well surroundingDid this help you?
- 10Using sheeting and sandbags to divert waterDid this help you?
- 11Installing gutters and downspouts to move water away from the houseDid this help you?
- 12Fixing cracks in the foundation inside and out with sealing or caulkingDid this help you?
- 13Adding concrete curbing around the houseDid this help you?
- 14looking into quick dams and sandbagsDid this help you?
- 15getting quotes and ideas for permanent mitigationDid this help you?
- 16filling the window well back inDid this help you?
- 17building a little retaining wall on top of existing concrete wallsDid this help you?
- 18digging down to add clear stone and a perforated drain lineDid this help you?
- 19Applying expanding foam from the insideDid this help you?
- 20Adding roof and siding sealants like KarnakDid this help you?
- 21Installing gutter deflectorsDid this help you?
- 22Applying silicone on window trim and mortar caulk on brick cracksDid this help you?
- 23grabbing a mop and squeegeeDid this help you?
- 24clearing up the water with a dehumidifier runningDid this help you?
- 25Grading the yard and fixing the gutters yourselfDid this help you?
- 26Getting at least three quotes from different contractors to compare the scope of workDid this help you?
- 27Renting a concrete saw and jackhammer to DIY a French drain and sump pitDid this help you?
- 28Using a dehumidifier to handle vapor coming through the wallsDid this help you?
- 29Adding an extension to the downspout to dump water further awayDid this help you?
- 30Patching cracks in the sidewalk to prevent water penetrationDid this help you?
- 31Hiring a contractor to lift the cement slabs to prevent poolingDid this help you?
- 32Ripping out the concrete, installing drainage, and repouring with a pitch away from the houseDid this help you?
- 33Opening the storm drain much bigger so it cannot easily get clogged with mud.Did this help you?
- 34Extending gutter pop-up emitters further out into the yard to direct water away.Did this help you?
- 35Plugging the leak hole directly with cement or epoxy.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Finally found the mystery leak that was filling up basement entrance storm drain with mud. Been an issue for over three years as the drain would get clogged and then water would enter the basement.”source ↗
“Here it’s not showing any mud but almost always there’s thick mud caked around this exact spot.”source ↗
“During heavy rain, water pools at the top of the walk out, makes its way under the door and down the stairs into the basement. So for temporary measures, what might be some ways to stop water from entering?”source ↗
“I'm in the process of getting quotes and ideas on how to mitigate water incoming from this basement walk out, but so far the suggestions have been expensive, and I'm looking for more ideas.”source ↗
“I’m dealing with a basement flooding issue at my elderly parent’s house and need some budget-friendly DIY workarounds as we couldn’t afford expensive installations.”source ↗
“I have a basement window that’s bottom is essentially even with the ground. I have had not any issues yet with water entry but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.”source ↗
“I have this basement window that is 62” x 14” I’m not sure if i need a window well or just a window well cover or something similar to prevent snow building up against it. Just moved in to the house.”source ↗
“A big part of why I wanted to get a quote was because I had spent a good deal of work already trying to grade the yard, strap the gutters, etc. myself. Yet there’s still water showing up”source ↗
“100 year old house, doesn’t have much concern on the basement walls from water damage, but there is significant water that gets in when there’s any rain.”source ↗
“I known I should probably tell them to have a company dig this old window well out and waterproof it, but if they want to keep it as is I mean, I could just fill it back it (I pulled out the soil as it was sloped towards the house/has sunk over the years)”source ↗
“I noticed when it rains heavy we get water in our garage. Not a ton but a noticeable line of water (which is below ground underneath the 1st fl.).”source ↗
“Are the controls I just added sufficient or do I need to shell out thousands of dollars to have the slabs lifted away from the house?”source ↗
“i’m having a similar issue curious to see the ideas !”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 15How to stop roof water from overflowing and rotting the window sill
- 48Water keeps getting in the house during heavy rain
- 5Can you use silicone to seal gaps around a shower drain?
- 32How to stop water pooling against the house from sinking concrete
- 2How to waterproof a flat roof under a low window
- 16Why is water coming up through my basement floor during heavy rain?