What are the drainage requirements for an egress window well in New Brunswick and how deep does the gravel bed beneath the well need to be?

Egress window wells in New Brunswick require a minimum 6-inch gravel drainage bed beneath the well, with proper drainage connection to your home's weeping tile system or a dedicated drain line to daylight. The drainage system must handle both normal precipitation and New Brunswick's intense spring snowmelt without allowing water to pool against the foundation or flood the egress window.

Gravel Bed Specifications

The drainage bed beneath an egress window well needs to be at least 6 inches deep, using ¾-inch clear stone or similar drainage gravel. This gravel layer sits directly on the excavated soil and extends the full footprint of the window well plus 12 inches beyond on all sides. The gravel provides immediate drainage away from the window and prevents water from pooling against the foundation wall where the egress window opening was cut.

In New Brunswick's clay-heavy soils (especially around Saint John and parts of Fredericton), you may need to increase this to 8-10 inches of gravel because clay drains so slowly. Sandy soils around Moncton typically handle the standard 6-inch depth adequately. The gravel bed should slope slightly away from the foundation wall toward the drainage outlet.

Drainage Connection Requirements

The window well drainage must connect to your home's existing weeping tile system if present, or have a dedicated drain line that carries water to daylight or a sump pit. Simply relying on the gravel bed alone is insufficient in New Brunswick's climate - you need positive drainage away from the foundation. Many contractors install a 4-inch perforated drain pipe at the bottom of the gravel bed, surrounded by filter fabric to prevent soil infiltration.

For homes without existing weeping tile (common in pre-1980s New Brunswick homes), the egress well drain often connects to a dedicated dry well or runs to daylight if the grade allows. In areas with high water tables like coastal regions around Shediac or Bathurst, the drainage system may need to tie into your sump pump system.

Window Well Liner and Waterproofing

The window well liner itself must extend below the gravel bed and have drainage holes or slots at the bottom to allow water to flow into the gravel drainage layer. The liner should be sealed against the foundation wall with appropriate waterproof membrane or sealant. This is critical in New Brunswick because our spring thaw creates massive water table fluctuations that can push water horizontally against foundation walls.

Cover and Seasonal Considerations

Install a properly fitted window well cover to keep out precipitation, leaves, and snow. New Brunswick's heavy snow loads and ice buildup can overwhelm even well-designed drainage systems if the well fills with snow that melts rapidly during spring thaw. The cover should be removable for emergency egress but secure enough to handle snow loads up to 40 pounds per square foot.

Professional Installation Recommended

Egress window well installation requires cutting through your foundation wall, proper waterproofing, and connecting to drainage systems - this is definitely professional work requiring permits and inspections. The drainage requirements are part of the building code compliance for egress windows, and improper drainage can lead to basement flooding or foundation damage.

Need help finding a basement contractor experienced with egress window installation? New Brunswick Basements can match you with local professionals who understand our climate's specific drainage challenges.