Are These Window Weep Holes In My Stucco?

Anna has a 70+ year-old wood frame stucco home with original double-hung wood windows. She’s noticed 3-inch wide openings under the window frames in the stucco corners and wonders if these might be weep holes. Let’s explore what they could be and how to address them.

Question from Anna:
I have a 70+ year-old wood frame stucco home in Southern California with original double-hung wood windows. Under the window frames in the stucco at each corner of the window frame are 3-inch wide openings.

Not all the windows have them, but the ones I see, over the years, I’ve dug out all the spiderwebs and try to keep them open however, I’ve never known what they were.

I’ve done a little bit of Internet research and I think they might be called weep holes, but I can’t find anything that looks like mine or anything that references anything like mine. Is that what they are? How do they work?

I’m assuming the ones that are not visible have just been covered up with stucco. Can you please help me get them operational, if that’s what they are or tell me where I can find information on preserving them and my windows and my stucco?

Are These Weep Holes

Hi Anna. Thank you for your detailed question and the photo! These openings you’re describing could possibly be an older form of drainage or venting feature, but I can’t say definitively from the image alone if they are true weep holes. Here are my thoughts and recommendations:

Are They Weep Holes?

Weep holes under windows are designed to allow water that enters around the window frame to drain out, protecting the wood frame and surrounding stucco from water damage. Typically, window weep holes are small, evenly spaced, and part of the window’s original design.

Your openings could potentially be:

  • Old Window Drainage Features: Older windows sometimes included drainage gaps under the frame to allow water to escape. These might have been larger and less standardized compared to modern weep holes.

  • Irregular Drainage Gaps: The irregularity suggests they might have been created or modified post-construction to address water drainage needs.

  • Non-Functional Openings: It’s possible these openings were never intended for water drainage but rather served another purpose during construction, such as ventilation or temporary access points.

No Signs of Water Stains Below The Hole...

From the photo, I don’t see significant water stains below the opening, which we would typically expect if this were actively functioning as a drainage feature. The water stains on the right side appear to be from water running off the window trim rather than from this specific opening, something we would also likely see if water drained from these holes.

Identify Their Purpose Before Anything:

Before taking steps to maintain or restore these openings, it’s crucial to confirm whether they are indeed functional window weep holes. If they aren’t, there’s no need to keep them clear or operational. Here’s how to proceed:

  • Consult a Contractor: Call local stucco or window contractors to assess the openings. Many contractors will offer a free consultation or inspection and can provide insight into their purpose.

  • Visual Inspection: Look inside the openings with a flashlight to check for any signs of drainage systems or connections to the window frame.

  • Understand the Construction Era: Features like these may have been included for specific reasons during the original build, and a professional familiar with older construction practices can offer clarity.

Once you confirm their purpose, you can decide whether to keep them, modify them, or close them off completely.

For the ones you believe have been covered by stucco:

  • Locate and Test: Lightly tap around the areas under the window frames where you suspect openings might have been. A hollow sound could indicate a filled-in gap.

  • Consult a Professional: If you want to restore these, a professional stucco contractor can carefully uncover them without compromising the integrity of the stucco.

Preserving Your Windows and Stucco

To maintain both your windows and stucco over time:

  • Inspect Regularly: Check for cracks, gaps, or areas where water might infiltrate around the window frame and stucco. Seal any vulnerable spots with the appropriate material (caulking, stucco patch, etc.).

  • Repaint and Seal Trim: Ensure the wood trim is properly sealed and painted to resist water damage.

While it’s hard to say definitively if these are weep holes, they do seem to serve some functional purpose. Feel free to share more details or photos if you’d like further assistance, Anna. Good luck! 

About the author

The Stucco Guy

My name is Ryan and I have been a licensed stucco contractor for many years and I feel that there is a huge "knowledge gap" when it comes to stucco, in particular. I hope you find the information here useful, and if you have a question for me fill out this Q & A form, so I can answer those questions better. Thanks for stopping by!

Leave a comment here or if you have a more indepth question that needs to be answered, fill out my Q and A form and attach a few pictures (link in author bio box above) to give me a clear picture of what's going on. Thanks for stopping by!