Getting a thick-walled house ready for winter rain

Quick answer

Check window sills and deep reveals for cracks, reseal gaps where trim meets stucco, adjust doors so they seal, test outdoor GFCI outlets and clear drains before the first storm.

Older San Gabriel homes have thick walls and deep window reveals. When rain arrives after a long dry season, water finds cracks in stucco, sills and joints.

Window sills and reveals

Look for cracks in the plaster or stucco around windows and in deep sills. Water pooling on a sill can seep in.

Doors

Heavy wood doors can shrink in summer and leave gaps. Check weatherstripping and sweeps.

Exterior caulk

Inspect where trim, pipes and fixtures meet stucco. Re-caulk cracks.

Drains

Clear yard drains, gutters and downspouts, and make sure water flows away from the house.

Outdoor outlets

Test GFCIs and make sure covers close.

Why thick walls still leak

Thick plaster and stucco walls feel solid, but they are not waterproof on their own. Cracks open up during long dry summers as the house shrinks and settles, and the first heavy rain drives water into them. Deep window reveals are a common entry point, because the sill is wide and flat and water can pool before it runs off.

A walk-around checklist

• Look up at each window head and down at each sill for cracks or peeling paint.
• Check where wood trim meets stucco; gaps here let water behind the trim.
• Look at hose bibs, vents, light fixtures and pipe penetrations for missing sealant.
• Check that downspouts discharge onto splash blocks and away from the wall.
• Look for soil or mulch piled against the stucco, which keeps the base of the wall wet.

Inside the house

After the first rain, walk the house and look at the inside face of exterior walls, especially below windows and in corners. Bubbling paint, salt-like white deposits or damp spots tell you water is getting through.

Heavy wood doors

Older San Gabriel homes often have solid wood front doors. They swell in winter and shrink in summer. A door that closes easily in September may stick in January.

If it drags, we can adjust the hinges or plane a small amount once the wood has taken on winter moisture, then seal the cut edge.

Roof drainage on older homes

Many older San Gabriel homes have clay tile roofs, flat roofs behind parapets, or a mix. Flat roofs drain through scuppers, openings in the parapet, often with a downspout below. Leaves and debris block scuppers, and water pools on the roof.

Clear them before the first storm. Tile roofs should be checked for cracked or slipped tiles. Gutters on pitched roofs need cleaning, and downspouts should discharge several feet from the foundation.

Stucco cracks

Stucco cracks let water reach the wall. Small hairline cracks are common. Wider cracks should be sealed with an elastomeric patch or caulk made for stucco, then painted. Cracks around windows and doors are common entry points.

Windows and doors

Older wood windows let in water when caulk, glazing putty or paint fails. Check sills for soft wood. Caulk gaps around trim.

Door thresholds should slope away. See sticky wood windows.

Grading and drains

Soil should slope away from the house. Area drains in patios and driveways should be cleared. Raised foundations should have crawl space vents clear and the crawl space dry.

Our steps:

• Clean gutters and scuppers
• Seal stucco cracks
• Caulk windows and doors
• Clear area drains
• Check crawl spaces
• Check for leaks after the first storm

Trees

Trim branches over the roof. Leaves clog gutters and scuppers.

Interior checks

After the first storm, check ceilings, walls and around windows for stains. Small leaks found early are much cheaper to fix.

Outdoor electrical

Outdoor outlets should be GFCI-protected with weatherproof covers. Check exterior light fixtures for water. See porch and exterior light fixture swaps.

Sandbags

If water flows toward your house in heavy storms, keep sandbags ready. Los Angeles County fire stations often provide sand and bags before storms.

Wood rot

Rain finds weak spots in exterior wood: window sills, door frames, fascia boards, and rafter tails on Spanish and Craftsman homes. Probe wood with a screwdriver. Soft spots mean rot.

Small rot can be cut out and filled with epoxy wood filler, then painted. Larger rot needs replacing the wood. Keep paint in good shape to protect wood.

Patios and covered porches

Patio covers and porch roofs need drains clear and flashing sound where they meet the house.

Garage

Garage door bottom seals keep water out. Check for water flowing toward the garage from the driveway.

Wall heaters and fireplaces

Before winter, have chimneys and wall furnaces checked. Chimney caps keep rain and animals out. Rain entering a chimney can damage brick and mortar. Clean fireplace ash and check the damper.

Emergency kit

Keep flashlights, batteries and a battery radio ready. Storms can bring power outages and falling branches.

After storms

Walk around the house and check gutters, drains, and trees. Report downed power lines to the utility.

Keep a short list of leaks and problem spots from last season. It makes the next fall's checks faster and shows whether a repair held up.

Do the roof and gutter work in October or early November, before the first real storm arrives.

What we can help with

We reseal joints, patch plaster, adjust doors, replace weatherstripping and swap GFCIs. See drywall, plaster and paint.

Fall prep days near Las Tunas Drive often end with a warm meal at Newport Seafood.

Want us to handle it?

Call or text (626) 684-3505, Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–7 PM. Send a photo and we will give you an upfront quote.

Call or text (626) 684-3505