Egress Window
#1
03-01-05, 08:25 AM
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Egress Window
I will be adding a bedroom in the basement. To be compliant, I need an egress window. I have some estimates which range from 3k to 7k.
1. Some want to install with the well having pea gravel only and some want to go to the drain tile? What should I do? The home is 4 yeas old and no water problems.
2. This doesn't seeme to be that hard of a job, just labor intensive. To save money, I could do this myself with rental equipment. But again, what installation method should I choose.... going down to drain tile, or just adding several inches of pea gravel? I am leaning toward just pea gravel since the home is fairly new and no water problmes.
3. Timbers or prefab well?
Thanks
1. Some want to install with the well having pea gravel only and some want to go to the drain tile? What should I do? The home is 4 yeas old and no water problems.
2. This doesn't seeme to be that hard of a job, just labor intensive. To save money, I could do this myself with rental equipment. But again, what installation method should I choose.... going down to drain tile, or just adding several inches of pea gravel? I am leaning toward just pea gravel since the home is fairly new and no water problmes.
3. Timbers or prefab well?
Thanks
#2
03-01-05, 08:45 AM
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I am no expert here, but I did it myself.
I purchased a fiberglass tub, that has teers going around it to act like steps in the event it is used for escape.
I just dug out the area, about 2 feed deeper than I needed, and placed perferated pipe and gravel at the bottom, back filled to the correct level with sand.
The fiberglass tub has a drain built into it, so I connected regular PVC to that drain.
After I backfilled around the tub I sealed all the edges against the house.
Its worked so far.....
I purchased a fiberglass tub, that has teers going around it to act like steps in the event it is used for escape.
I just dug out the area, about 2 feed deeper than I needed, and placed perferated pipe and gravel at the bottom, back filled to the correct level with sand.
The fiberglass tub has a drain built into it, so I connected regular PVC to that drain.
After I backfilled around the tub I sealed all the edges against the house.
Its worked so far.....
#3
03-01-05, 08:47 AM
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If there are gutters or the roof pitches away from the area the window will be installed in, I would go pea gravel. You just want to make sure you are not adding a "french drain" instead of an egress. I would use the prefab well unless you have an idea to enhance the looks of the well. Good luck with your project.
#4
03-01-05, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Stevetra
I just dug out the area, about 2 feed deeper than I needed, and placed perferated pipe and gravel at the bottom, back filled to the correct level with sand.
The fiberglass tub has a drain built into it, so I connected regular PVC to that drain.
The fiberglass tub has a drain built into it, so I connected regular PVC to that drain.
I am assumeing you conneted the drain to the perf pipe?
#5
03-01-05, 09:25 AM
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My yard is quite sloped.
I ran the pipe at about a 2" slope about 15 feet and just let it drain into the yard, but like I said, I live on the side of a hill, and my property slopes 35 feet from back to front.
I ran the pipe at about a 2" slope about 15 feet and just let it drain into the yard, but like I said, I live on the side of a hill, and my property slopes 35 feet from back to front.
#6
03-01-05, 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by majakdragon
You just want to make sure you are not adding a "french drain" instead of an egress.
Can you explain that you ment?
Thanks
#8
03-01-05, 12:02 PM
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Just a shovel.
The window I installed was the minimum egress allowed by code.
I placed it on the side of the room with the most exposed exterior wall, so I wouldent have to dig so deep.
How big is the window you are installing?
What is the ground makup around your house. is it mosly rock?
If I was you I would see what the digging is like before I decided to do it myself.
Some jobs are better left to the pro's....
The window I installed was the minimum egress allowed by code.
I placed it on the side of the room with the most exposed exterior wall, so I wouldent have to dig so deep.
How big is the window you are installing?
What is the ground makup around your house. is it mosly rock?
If I was you I would see what the digging is like before I decided to do it myself.
Some jobs are better left to the pro's....
#9
03-01-05, 01:08 PM
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Egress window usually means enlarging existing opening or adding new one - both of which have structural implications and may require structural engineer approval. At the very least, I would want to make sure that an appropriate lintel was placed above the new window opening to carry the necessary load.
FYI concrete cutting is generally a messy process. Prepare for this even if you hire out the job.
FWIW, I think that the well should connect to the house drain tile. Not doing this just creates a dry well for water to stand in and invites possible water issues later, IMHO. I think Stevetra lucked out on the lay of his land and the nature of the soil. If you have high clay content then I think you need to go to the drain tile for sure.
FYI concrete cutting is generally a messy process. Prepare for this even if you hire out the job.
FWIW, I think that the well should connect to the house drain tile. Not doing this just creates a dry well for water to stand in and invites possible water issues later, IMHO. I think Stevetra lucked out on the lay of his land and the nature of the soil. If you have high clay content then I think you need to go to the drain tile for sure.
#10
03-02-05, 06:33 AM
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I won't be modifying an exsiting window, but adding new. So I will most likely rent a mini excavator to dig the hole. I don't think I will need additional support as the window will not be at the top of the foundation. I agree with going to the drain tile. But many contractors I have bids are only quoting a wel with no drain. They tell me with todays basements, and proper landscaping I shouldn't have a problem. This is causing me a head ache as to what to do about drainage...... drain tile, no drain tile.
I am thinking about a sliding window, with minimum egress requirements. Any suggestions?
Can I install any type of window that meets egress code?
I am thinking about a sliding window, with minimum egress requirements. Any suggestions?
Can I install any type of window that meets egress code?
#11
03-02-05, 10:00 AM
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IMHO, at a minimum the top of the cut-out should have a lintel that extends into the concrete on either side so that any loads are transferred and carried by the concrete and not by the window frame. This will prevent deformation of the window frame and possible sticking problems for the window in the future.
If it were my place I'd be going to the drain tile. You shouldn't have a problem (according to them) but what happens when you do? Dig it up again and go to the drain tile. I'd rather dig once and do it right in the first place (IMHO). If you are digging for the window which isn't going to be at the top of the foundation I suspect it isn't that far down to the drain tile (unless you have REALLLLY deep foundation) from the bottom of the window well.
I would check with inspector, but if a window meets egress code I would presume it is OK. The firefighter wearing the Scott airpak is going to be "opening" the window using his ax anyway. From a practical point of view you might want to be sure that a person can exit via the open slider.
If it were my place I'd be going to the drain tile. You shouldn't have a problem (according to them) but what happens when you do? Dig it up again and go to the drain tile. I'd rather dig once and do it right in the first place (IMHO). If you are digging for the window which isn't going to be at the top of the foundation I suspect it isn't that far down to the drain tile (unless you have REALLLLY deep foundation) from the bottom of the window well.
I would check with inspector, but if a window meets egress code I would presume it is OK. The firefighter wearing the Scott airpak is going to be "opening" the window using his ax anyway. From a practical point of view you might want to be sure that a person can exit via the open slider.
#12
03-02-05, 04:54 PM
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From all the pictures I have seem online, I don't see an additional support (lintel) installed. So what is a minimum distance between the top of the window and the top of the wall. All I see is treated framing then the window.
