Does Vinyl Siding Have Weep Holes

Vinyl siding systems are designed to allow for ventilation behind the siding and experience has shown the design to be effective.

Does vinyl siding have weep holes. Vinyl siding leaks a lot. Vinyl is a potentially leaky material and. It s pretty easy to remove some panels and inspect the condition of the wall behind though. The small vents in the vinyl frame prevent water from entering the building by draining through the weep holes.

Unfortunately many people install siding improperly which can trap moisture behind the siding where it has no place to go. Water enters where vinyl panels overlap and at the end gaps inside the trim s receiving channels. The important issue is if all of the prep work weather barrier flashing etc behind the siding was done correctly and that s anybody s guess from here. Manufacturers even punch weep holes into the bottom edge of siding to let the water escape.

This will help keep the track dry and prevent accumulation of unwanted moisture. Although vinyl siding does have its benefits improperly installed siding and trim can cause a lot of problems. A word of caution. When vinyl j channel is used at the bottom like this proper flashing is essential especially at the corners.

1 4 inch weep holes should be drilled about 12 inches apart into the j channel only. Vinyl siding is designed as an exterior cladding only and is supposed to be installed over other materials such as a weather resistant barrier. Although vinyl is impervious to water when installed as directed by the manufacturer vinyl siding as a whole is not completely watertight. Luckily you have weep holes for the water to escape.

Moisture that makes it s way into small gaps and cracks should drain out through channels and weep holes built into the siding. These are outlets which are small but essential as they channel liquids away which otherwise would work its way within the wall through the seams and into windows and doors. When vinyl siding panels are manufactured weep holes will be placed near the bottom by every projection edge. Bird vinyl siding panels have weep holes punched at intervals.

Water gets behind vinyl siding there s nothing water tight about the stuff. Vinyl siding installs in pieces so gaps and overlaps.