The toothpick-and-rinse weep hole fix

You will need

• Wooden toothpicks or a thin bamboo skewer · Woolies or Coles, around $2 for a pack
• Small stiff-bristle brush (old toothbrush works perfectly) · Repurpose an old one or grab a cheap pack from Woolies for ~$2
• Garden hose or spray bottle filled with water · Already at home
• Can of compressed air (optional) · Bunnings, ~$10 — handy if holes are very packed with debris

Step 1

Find your weep holes

Weep holes are the small rectangular slots or round holes along the bottom edge of your window frame, sitting in the outer aluminium or uPVC track. They let rainwater drain out instead of pooling inside the frame. Most windows have two to four of them — have a look from outside at ground level.

Step 2

Poke out the blockage

Gently push a toothpick or skewer into each hole and work it around in a circular motion to break up the compacted dirt, dead insects, or debris. Don't force it hard — you're loosening, not drilling. A few gentle passes usually does the job.

Step 3

Brush the track clean

Open the window and use your old toothbrush to scrub out the bottom channel of the frame, sweeping all the gunk toward the weep holes or out the ends. This is usually where the real build-up is — leaf litter, dust, and dead bugs pack in tight over time.

Step 4

Flush everything through

From inside the frame, pour a small cup of water into the bottom channel and watch it drain out through the weep holes outside. If it trickles out freely, you're done. A quick squirt of compressed air from outside the hole can help shift anything still stubborn.

Step 5

Do a final outside rinse

Give the outside of the weep holes a gentle spray with the hose to clear any remaining debris sitting at the exit point. Check that water flows out cleanly and doesn't back up into the frame. Repeat every six months or after big storms to keep them clear.

The stop point

If you notice water is still pooling inside the frame after clearing the weep holes, or you can see cracks, gaps, or damaged seals in the window frame itself → stop, you need a window glazier or aluminium window specialist.

Mendy calls tradies for you. Your first booking is free, then $3.50 a booking.

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