Installing an Egress Window when the ground is Frozen

December 9, 2009

I have received a lot of e-mails and phone calls lately asking how late I can install Egress Windows so I decided to write this blog post on the subject. I can install Egress Windows all season long. There are several reasons why this is not as difficult as you might think. First, the ground near your foundation does not usually freeze to the extent that it does every where else, do to the heat escaping from your home. Secondly, professionals that have been in the business for any length of time have invested in tools to perform such tasks. I would venture to say that most installers use a mini backhoe to dig out there wells. While this is generally the easiest way I have not found it to be the most professional. In the summer they often leave tracks in your lawn and are a nightmare to maneuver in tight city lots, not to mention having to disassemble gates to gain access to the job site. In the hands of a less than capable operator they can also do thousands of dollars of damage to your foundation as well. That is why I chose to use a demolition hammer with a spade bit.

It is certainly not the easiest or the quickest method, though I do believe it is the best. I generally only have to break through a foot of frost before I can continue to dig by hand. If you have any local utilities that were not marked by Excel, it also a lot easier to see them and avoid any costly repairs. It is also a lot safer to use around your foundation than a back hoe.

People are also often concerned about how long it takes to install an Egress window. It most cases I have the well dug, and the window installed in a day. I generally takes 20 minutes once I cut out the hole from the foundation for the window till the new window is installed. During this time I have the inside of the room sealed off to prevent as much cold air from entering as possible. As long as you hire a professional, installing an Egress Window in the winter is no different than any other time of year. So don’t wait till spring to finish your basement or add that extra bedroom, you can enjoy the safety and natural light an Egress Window provides today.

John

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