Like You, We Have Wondered Why Some Window Wells Rust but Others Don't
Mystery solved. How to replace them so they don't rust again.
This week I learned why, thanks to an email from Alpine Building Performance. Here’s what they wrote:
“If the screws used to attach the window well touch the metal bars (rebar) inside the concrete, it creates rust. This happens because electricity flows between the metals, causing the window well to rust faster.
“This is why sometimes you will see one window well completely rusted through and the other window wells in the home showing no signs of rust. Many people think that rusty window wells can be sanded and painted with a rust inhibitor to keep it from rusting further. This is not true.
“The window well rusts from the dirt side in, so once you see rust inside the window well, it has already made it through the entire thickness of the metal. Unfortunately, the only remedy to the rust issue is a full window well replacement.
“When having your window well replaced, make sure that it is replaced in a manner that it will not rust prematurely again.”
The email promoted a company, Window Well Solutions, LLC, which has developed a method of replacing window wells using a fiberglass composite mounting system which creates a non-conductive break between the foundation and the metal window well.
Unfortunately, that company is in Fort Collins and doesn’t take on new customers south of Denver’s northern suburbs. But now you know what the answer is to this problem. The company has patented their system, so it is available nationwide. Here’s a video that shows their process:
