Hi,
I need to install two window wells at my house. My problem? (one that I’ll publish, that is) How to attach them to stone foundations? All the articles I read have pictures of nice straight foundations to drill into.
Everytime I post here I get fabulous information!
Thanks – Joe Joyce Boston, MA
Replies
I'll give you a no answer answer we call a "bump" to keep your post in the list so others can answer it.
But, I was wondering if you could scribe pressure treated 2x2's or 2x4's and attach them to the foundation and then bolt the window well to the pt 2x's. That or attach the window well at the "high points" of the foundation and then fill in the gaps with something. Like I said, consider my answer a "bump!"
Doesn't need to be fastened necessarily. To install a well, you wan to dig down a foot or two deeper than you want it to seat, and put down clean stone or gravel, so water than gets to it can drain and perc away instead of collecting to the window. Then seat the piece on that to the wall, and set a couple fasteners drilled in to the high points of the stone. Then mix up some mortar to dry pack the voids and tool it smooth. After it sets up, place the backfill soil carefully around the well. The pressure of the soil holds it against the foundation as much as the fasteners do.
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"The pressure of the soil holds it against the foundation as much as the fasteners do."Exactly - where else can it go?
On the off-chance you haven't seen it, JLC did an article on window wells about two months ago..
http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlconline.storefront/EN/Product/0902inst
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This month, it is up on their homepage.
Thanks for this. I do get that magazine and have read the article. Since my situation was a bit different I thought I'd ask the experts at Breaktime!
Tell us more about this "stone" foundation.
Old fieldstone rubble? Veneer? Mortared, not? What type of stone?
Out here, where they will "hang" a precast ceement well from two heavy duty pins, you need a poured wall.
I'm thinkin' you gotta go retaining wall block buildup and as Piffin describes.
The foundation is definitely field stone - good sized rocks set in mortar. It is uneven as field stone usually is. What tool do I use to drill into the rocks?
I'd revisit this with your supplier.
I wouldn't be drilling anything for this purpose.
But to answer your question, a hammer drill or coring drill, depending upon how the stone is laid. We need pictures.
First, listen to that song, The Lion Sleeps Tonight
A window well
A window well . . .
Forrest
*chuckle*