Most of the year, a cracked bead of caulk around a window doesn't cost you anything, because there's no rain to find the gap. Then the first real storm of the season shows up, and water gets into every opening it can reach, including the ones you walked past all summer.
That's why fall is the time to recaulk windows here. A National Weather Service climate report for San Diego puts it plainly: "Eighty-five percent of the rainfall occurs from November through March." The same report says only about 10 percent of the season's rain normally falls from May through October. Those figures describe the city itself. The report notes that rainfall goes up with elevation and distance from the coast, so East County usually gets more, but the pattern holds: dry most of the year, then most of the rain in a few months.
So the weeks before November are your chance. Here's what I'd look at.
Start with the sunny side, then check the rest
Exterior caulk doesn't just get old. Sun and water wear it down. Sealant maker Bostik describes weathering as something that "occurs naturally outdoors as a result of ultra violet light and water." Some sealants develop a harder surface that cracks where the joint moves.
Not every wall gets the same sun. A federal window-design guide explains that south-facing windows get the most direct sun in winter, while east- and west-facing windows get summer sun for more hours and at a more direct angle than south-facing ones. In plain terms: the south and west sides of your house take the most sun over a year, so check those windows first.
On my jobs, the south- and west-facing windows can be the first ones to fail, but sun isn't the only thing that decides which window goes first. So don't stop at the sunny side. Look at every window.
Stucco homes: where to look and what to leave alone
I reseal around windows on stucco homes, as long as the stucco on the outside is in good shape. Caulking over loose or failing stucco isn't something I recommend. On a stucco house, three spots around each window are worth knowing:
- The joint where the window frame meets the stucco. This is the main exterior caulk line. Look for gaps, cracks, or caulk that has pulled away from either side.
- Cracks in the stucco right next to the window. Milgard's window warranty and care guide tells homeowners to regularly inspect the outside of the frames "for any cracks, or cracks in the adjacent siding material." Get any cracks in your photos. For minor stucco repair around the window, I can use a product made for stucco repair that comes in a caulking tube. If it's more than minor, I'll tell you before anything gets scheduled.
- Weep holes, which you leave open. Most windows have small slots on the outside bottom of the frame so water that collects in the track can drain out. The same Milgard guide says to make sure exterior weep holes "are clear of any debris, stucco, sand or other obstructions." I've found weep holes caulked shut on jobs, along with plenty of other things that weren't done right. Caulking them shut traps water in the frame, the opposite of what you want. When I notice one, I open it back up with my utility knife.
Milgard's care tips add that "A good time to inspect and clean weep holes is when excessive rain is anticipated." That's the same timing as the caulk.
As for what goes in the joint, it depends on the situation. I use an exterior-rated, paintable DAP product, or OSI Quad where the joint takes heavier exposure to the elements.
How often to recaulk outside windows
I'll be honest: I don't usually bring this one up on a job. I don't want it to sound like I'm upselling work you don't need. If you ask what I'd recommend for your house, I'll tell you what I see.
No single number fits every house. It depends on the product that was used, how well the joint was prepped, and how much sun that wall gets. So go by what you see instead of the calendar. Walk around the house once a year before the rains and look at every window. Recaulk when you see:
- Cracks in the bead or all the way through it
- Caulk pulling away from the frame or the stucco
- Caulk that has gone hard, chalky, or crumbly
- Gaps where there used to be caulk
- Staining on the wall or trim below a window
If the caulk is still soft, stuck to both sides, and unbroken, leave it alone.
Failing caulk usually doesn't stay in one spot, either. I had a homeowner in Lemon Grove call about a small gap behind the kitchen sink. When I got there, the sink, the tub, and a couple of exterior window trims all had failing caulk. Nothing major yet, but you could tell it was headed that way. We handled all of it in one visit.
What exterior window caulking won't fix
I'll be straight with you: window caulking on the exterior is maintenance. It closes the gap between the frame and the wall. It won't fix fog between the panes of glass, because that's the window's own seal, not caulk. It won't fix water coming through the window itself or from the flashing or framing behind the stucco. If water keeps showing up inside after storms, that may need a window or building-envelope specialist, and we'll tell you if your photos point that way.
What to send for a price
Window resealing is priced for labor from your photos, plus materials. Send:
- The full window from outside, and from inside if you see anything there
- A close-up of each seam that looks cracked or separated
- Any staining, soft trim, or stucco cracks near the window
- Whether the window is on the first or second story, and a photo of the ground below it
I do second-story windows in most cases, but that's my limit. When I'm working above 10 feet, I need a safe place to set up the ladder and clear access to the window.
Pricing depends on the number of windows, inside and outside access, how much old sealant has to come out, and the condition of the seam. A $180 minimum service charge may apply to smaller or standalone visits. You can read more on our window resealing service page, or see every caulking job we do on our caulking and resealing services page.
Get it done before November
Call or text (619) 815-7588 with your window photos and your ZIP code. We'll look them over, tell you whether caulk is the right fix, and give you a price. And we'll take it from there.
Preston, Unstoppable Handyman, Lemon Grove
