Moved into a 1900 farm house. Most of the basement is quite dry, but there is one room which has a dirt floor that is somewhat damp. The foundation is cracked and heaved in that room, obviously due to a window which is below grade and will collect water.

I have never had a basement before and need some other thoughts on what to do.

Please explain the pros and cons of the following ideas:

1. Remove and concrete over the window opening, then properly fill and grade soil around foundation. There are plenty of other windows, and basement is a walk-out, so egress shouldn't be an issue.

2. Put in a window well, leave the window as is, and try to re-grade the soil.

I don't care about light in that particular room - it will eventually be a well lighted workshop

 

As you say this is a walkout Id go for #1.

Block and close the window off with cement. Then rework the ground for a good slope away from the home there. That old a home I sure would check all the gutters and make sure they get the water away from the home also. like pipe out the downspouts away from the home about 10'

ED