Easy DIY · Window drainage

Keep window weep holes clear without damaging the frame

Check track debris and small frame drainage slots after rain, using gentle tools and avoiding risky exterior access.

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US DOE Building America Solution Center (PNNL)

Official window weep-hole maintenance guidance

Link card to a US DOE window-drainage guide

Some windows use small drainage slots, called weep holes, to let rainwater leave the frame. The US Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center warns that blocked openings can trap water and damage nearby materials. Hole locations vary; do not lean outside an elevated window to reach them.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Check the window manual and identify the lower-frame drainage slots and track design.
From a safe indoor position, gently vacuum or brush loose leaves, sand and dust from the track.
Look for visible blockage, but stop and contact building maintenance if an exterior opening is unsafe to reach.
Use a small soft brush or pipe cleaner to lift debris gently from an accessible opening. Do not enlarge or caulk over the drain.
Only if allowed by the manual, test drainage with a small amount of water and check that none leaks inside. Avoid flooding the track.
If water keeps pooling or the frame, wall or seal looks damaged, contact a window professional rather than dismantling the unit.

Official window weep-hole maintenance guidance

Your try-it-at-home checklist

Further reading

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