How do Ottawa contractors install weep screeds for proper stucco drainage?

Weep screeds are one of those small details that make an enormous difference in how long your stucco lasts in Ottawa's demanding climate. They're the metal strips installed at the bottom edge of stucco walls that allow trapped moisture to drain out — and when they're installed incorrectly (or missing entirely), the consequences can be serious.

Proper Weep Screed Installation in Ottawa

Here's how experienced Ottawa stucco contractors handle weep screed installation, step by step:

Height placement: The weep screed must be set a minimum of 4 inches above finished grade per the Ontario Building Code. However, most knowledgeable Ottawa contractors install them 6–8 inches above grade. The reason is simple: Ottawa gets significant snowfall, and snow banking against the foundation effectively raises the "grade" for months at a time. That extra clearance keeps the weep openings above the snow line so drainage can continue functioning through winter.

The installation sequence:

• Step 1: Snap a level chalk line around the entire building at the chosen height. On Ottawa homes with sloped grade, the screed follows the slope (it's not always perfectly level).
• Step 2: Install the weather-resistive barrier (building paper or housewrap) first, running it down and over the top flange of the weep screed. This creates a shingled overlap so water running down behind the stucco is directed onto the screed and out.
• Step 3: Fasten the weep screed to the sheathing with corrosion-resistant fasteners (galvanized or stainless steel nails) every 6 inches. In Ottawa, galvanized steel screeds are standard; some contractors use PVC screeds on coastal-style or high-moisture exposures.
• Step 4: Install metal lath, overlapping the top of the weep screed by at least 2 inches. The lath is wired or stapled to the screed — never just resting on it.
• Step 5: Apply stucco, stopping at the weep screed's drip edge. The critical detail: stucco must NOT cover the weep holes along the bottom edge. Contractors use a margin trowel to keep the stucco termination clean.

Common Ottawa installation mistakes to watch for:

• Burying the weep screed in landscaping. Mulch, soil, or concrete poured against the foundation can cover the screed entirely, trapping moisture inside the wall. If your weep screed is buried, carefully excavate to restore clearance.
• Caulking the bottom of the stucco to the foundation. This is wrong — it seals off the drainage path. The gap between the stucco's bottom edge and the foundation should be open.
• Missing weep screeds on additions or patches. Older Ottawa homes may have had stucco repair done without reinstalling proper screeds. Check every wall section.
• Improper lapping at corners. Where two screeds meet at an outside corner, they should overlap by at least 2 inches with the uphill piece on top.

Material cost for weep screeds is minimal — about $2–$4 per linear foot for the screed itself. Labour for proper installation adds $5–$10 per linear foot. For a typical Ottawa home perimeter of 150–180 linear feet, that's roughly $1,000–$2,500 total — an insignificant cost relative to the protection it provides against moisture damage that could run into tens of thousands to repair.

---

Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Pure Flow Water Solutions inc.
• DC Stucco & Parging
• Regimbal

View all contractors →