The Fundamental Problems with Window Wells

The reason you may want a cover for your metal window well is that the window well is simply designed to have problems with drainage and maintenance. Having a cover for your metal window well will help keep the snow, leaves, water, and even animals out. More importantly, it can help with the problems with drainage. Unless the well has a special designed drain, you may end up with water inside your house. There are a few simple solutions to help with the poor design of a metal window well.
Drainage
A serious problem with drainage can be addressed with costly grading projects and special drains that flow away from the house. However, if your problem is not that severe, you can immediately improve the situation by following a few simple safeguards. Manufacturers of the metal window well suggest digging deeper into the well and placing 12 inches of gravel at the bottom. This will allow the water to dissipate into the ground slowly. This simple project along with a cover for your metal window well will stop the water from seeping into your foundation.
Maintenance
A metal window well is a hard to clean hole that fills with leaves, snow, dirt and quite often small animals that can’t seems to find their way out. The main challenge is to keep the well clear of these obstacles while still allowing the general purpose of the window well. A cover for you metal window well made out of a clear material will still allow the light to filter into the basement without the constant upkeep of the hole. The cover for your metal window well will also make it safe for toddlers to avoid the hole.
These are the fundamental problems of having a metal window well in your home. However, they do serve a purpose to a dark basement allowing light to brighten the space. If you are not willing to foot the pricey bill of professional grading, the solutions are simple and easy to put into place. By using a cover for your metal window well you can eliminate all of the maintenance problems and prevent any drainage problems. The cover for your metal window well fits firmly over the corrugated metal and then is attached to the home. When purchasing a cover for your metal window well make sure to give the exact measurements because a correct fit is very important. Feel protected from the elements by using a cover for your metal window well in your home.

Bio: Linda Dunkelberger is a freelance writer and editor doing a project for Window Bubble or www.Windowbubble.com. The article “The Fundamental Problems with Window Wells” discusses problems and solutions of window wells and using a cover for your metal window well as a solution. The Window Bubble is manufactured by The Dilworth Manufacturing Company. They have been in the business since 1965 and have served thousands of satisfied customers — they are the most experienced manufacturers of window well covers on the market today.

Information about Tree-free Paper

Reducing the amount of paper we use and recycling are critical, but people are becoming more aware of tree free papers as an environmentally sound alternative to wood pulp paper. Currently, 50% of the world’s paper is made from harvested trees, and the rest is from recovered paper and tree free paper fibers. There are serious concerns about planetary deforestation, and the pollution released daily from paper mills manufacturing paper. Consequently alternative paper fiber sources are being currently researched and utilized.

Tree free paper is more environmentally friendly for several reasons. Plant sources used for tree free papers grow rapidly compared to trees, and the plants do not disrupt ecosystems when harvested. True forest ecosystems have a mix of species and ages of trees, undergrowth, and bushes that produces oxygen and sustains wildlife. The paper industry generally considers trees to be a renewable resource, but replanted tree farms do not replace a natural forest with its critical, life sustaining characteristics. Using tree free paper saves on greenhouse gas emissions, energy, solid waste, and the harsh chemicals used in the processing of virgin wood for paper.

Before the 1850s paper was not manufactured from wood pulp and tree free papers were the norm. In that time, paper was made from linen, cotton, hemp, straw, flax and animal skins. “Ragmen” would walk the streets of cities collecting old rags from housewives for paper manufacturing. Today’s tree free papers can be made from many things including kenaf, hemp, bagasse, bamboo, cotton and grasses. By-products from agricultural crops such as straw from rice, wheat, and rye and bagasse from the sugar plant can also be used.

One of the most promising tree-free alternatives is kenaf. Kenaf is a fast growing plant which yields more fiber per acre than a tree plantation. Kenaf also requires less energy and bleach to produce pulp, making it a more earth-friendly option for a quality paper source. Its fibers are similar to tree pulp fibers but contain less lignin, the plant’s natural glue that must be removed before paper making. Industrial hemp is used internationally for a multitude of uses including textiles and paper. However, it has legal obstacles because of its relative, marijuana, an illegal drug. Cotton is used for making paper, but it has some environmental shortcomings with its high demand for water and pesticides for growth. Ideally, scraps from organic harvests and post-consumer cotton can be used to be more eco-friendly.

Efforts are being made to make tree-free paper more available to consumers through research and funding. Few socially responsible organizations that sells only recycled and tree free papers in addition to many other green office products for business and home use.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Information about Tree-free Paper” notes the sources of tree free paper, and that they are a more environmentally friendly option to wood pulp based paper. Greenlinepaper.com sells tree free paper and recycled paper.

Help Eliminate Wet Basements with Window Well Covers

Spring is here! In addition to the sunshine and warmth, it also means snow thaw and heavy rain. Therefore, one of the most important things on the spring home maintenance checklist should be to install window well covers to guard basements from water damage. Basement window wells can collect water which can easily seep into the home. Experts recommend taking precautions for flood protection, including having a physical barrier of a window well cover, to stop rain water from leaking into basements. It is also important to check a home’s gutters, downspouts, grading, and foundation for proper function to protect from water damage.

Moisture and leakage in a basement can ruin walls, floors, furniture, and valuable stored items. Having a wet basement can also lead to secondary problems such as the growth of mold; this makes the environment in a home very unhealthy. Window well covers not only keep out rain and snow, but they keep out dirt, leaves, and animals while letting in sunlight and offering a layer of insulation. They also can protect children from falls, while allowing proper egress from inside the basement in case of an emergency.

Window well covers should be custom made of high quality material in order to keep out the heavy rains. When a heavy downpour occurs, the flimsy, one-size-fits-all covers will likely not give the protection needed. They are known to fit poorly, easily crack, and blow away in cases of heavy storm winds.

Windowbubble.com makes outstanding quality, custom window well covers which are sized to fit securely and protect basements from water leakage. Their guaranteed window well covers are made of 3/16” Plexiglas, and are easy to install, maintenance free, and meet all safety requirements.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Help Eliminate Wet Basements with Window Well Cover notes the importance of protecting a window well with a quality cover to avoid water damage. Windowbubble.com makes custom Window Well Cover