The Essential 30-Second Clean to Prevent Summer Leaks in Your Home

While we tend to clean our windows and doors regularly, how often do we think about the importance of window weep holes? These tiny drainage openings can become blocked, resulting in leaks during heavy summer rainstorms.

Expert contractors share their best cleaning tips for weep holes and emphasize the necessity of routine maintenance to protect your home from water damage.

Maintaining Window Weep Holes

Cleaning weep holes in your windows and doors should be included in your bi-annual maintenance routine, especially when readying your home for thunderstorms.

Kevin Brown, a heritage home renovator from The Heritage Window Company, notes, 'This is a simple maintenance task that often gets overlooked, yet it's vital, particularly for windows and doors made of UPVC or slimline aluminum.'

'Weep holes are small drainage channels located at the bottom of most modern windows and doors, designed to allow water to drain out and prevent buildup. However, neglecting this maintenance during winter and long periods without cleaning can lead to clogs from dirt and debris, preventing proper drainage.'

'If left unaddressed, this can cause serious structural issues within the window frames over time,' warns Kevin. 'This could lead to swelling, mold growth, and even cracked glass.'

While the buildup may occur in winter, it's often the intense summer downpours that catch homeowners off guard.

Proper Weep Hole Cleaning Techniques

Whether you're cleaning weep holes while washing your windows or preparing for hurricane season, the process is straightforward.

Contractor and CEO Bar Zakheim of Better Place Design and Build suggests, 'For most weep holes, a small bottle brush or straw cleaner from Walmart works well. A reusable straw cleaning brush is ideal. You can also use toothpicks or even twigs in a pinch.'

'Your main goal is to clear out any debris from the weep holes without introducing water,' he adds. 'Weep holes are one of the things you should avoid cleaning with a pressure washer.'

This isn't a task that needs to be done frequently.

Ideally, you can address this before the summer showers arrive and include it in your annual spring home maintenance checklist, advises Andre Kazimierski, co-owner and president of HomeHero Roofing. 'Fortunately, weep holes typically don't require cleaning more than once or twice a year.'

Taking preventive measures ahead of the rainy seasons is key, so mark this task on your home maintenance calendar.

Recommended Cleaning Tools

Juvale Stainless Steel Straw Cleaners

These flexible brushes are ideal for reaching into tight spaces and weep holes to remove unwanted debris.

Simplicity Boye Steel Crochet Hook

A small crochet hook can be perfect for weep holes, allowing you to hook and remove stubborn debris effectively.

Nexpow Air Duster

Using compressed air can effectively blow out debris and dirt from tight spots where brushes and toothpicks may not reach.

FAQs

Should weep holes in windows be covered?

Never cover weep holes in windows or doors, as this can lead to water damage, rust, and corrosion, shortening the lifespan of your window or door, as well as the surrounding walls and any woodwork, including sills and shutters.

For this reason, weep holes are one of the places you shouldn't caulk around windows to prevent damage.

How can you prevent weep holes from becoming clogged?

Preventing weep holes from clogging can be challenging, which is why regular maintenance and cleaning are crucial. Remove any debris as soon as you notice it to avoid a significant buildup that could cause structural damage or leaks during sudden summer rainstorms.

Meet the Experts

Kevin serves as the managing director at The Heritage Window Company, focusing on specialist slimline aluminum window fabrication.

Bar is a licensed general contractor and military veteran. He co-owns Better Place Design & Build with his brothers in San Diego.

With over 19 years in the home improvement and remodeling industry, Andre has a comprehensive understanding of customer and contractor challenges and opportunities.

Overlooking your window and door weep holes isn't the only bad habit that can increase mold risk in your home. Inadequate ventilation, clutter, and neglecting to check for other leaks can also lead to avoidable structural damage around your property.