Many homeowners first discover weep holes while observing the exterior brick veneer of their home. I get questions like these…Did the bricklayer forget to fill these holes in the bottom of my house? Can’t mice and insects enter thru these openings? Can you fill them in for me? [In the interest of full disclosure, addressing this whole problem is why I invented and partnered in the development of the BrickVent Moisture Control System.]
Photos:Karen Shaw Christian Meyn Karen Shaw
Your bricklayer did NOT forget to put mortar in between some of the brick along the bottom of your house out of your brick wall. As a bricklayer myself, I will admit that while the typical mason tends to be a breed apart, large holes in brickwork are not something he is typically going to miss. No, those holes are there for a reason. Whether or not they are serving their intended purpose is another question.
Brick is in no way waterproof. As a matter of fact, because brick (and stone) is a porous material it actually behaves much like a sponge. During a rain event, the masonry wall absorbs a tremendous amount of water and and stores it. The weep hole is designed for two purposes. 1. It provides an opening to allow water to drain out through the bottom of the wall. 2. It is intended to allow ventilating air to enter behind the wall to help dry the structure.
Weep holes do have some serious drawbacks though. Varying according to local codes, typically these 3/8” openings are spaced apart every 24″or 32″ along the bottom of the wall. These openings are equivalent to a tiny sized welcome mat and open door. They are large enough to allow mice, roaches and other pests to enter the structure of the house. My next door neighbor called me over one day terrified. She had witnessed a snake slithering thru a weep hole in her house and wondered if I could get it out! In my best Dr. Leonard McCoy impersonation, I told her, “I’m sorry Lady, but I’m a bricklayer, not a herpetologist!” Seriously though, with these openings there is nothing standing in the way of all sorts of critters taking up residence in your home.
Another serious drawback of weep holes is the lack of adequate ventilation. Modern homes are built more air-tight than ever. In the past, moisture was allowed to move freely from the interior of the home to the exterior and vice versa. This allowed the structure to “breathe.” Modern homes have lost this ability and moisture that enters through the outer masonry wall can become trapped. This can lead to disastrous consequences such as mold, spalling and deterioration of the masonry structure itself. The home industry has attempted to address the problem through the installation of weep holes. The problem is that in relation to the overall size of a masonry wall these small opening cannot provide the ventilation needed. For an illustration of the problem click here: Brick Ventilation
Three things you can do… 1. You can install weep inserts into your existing weep holes. For more on weep inserts click here: Weep Inserts 2. If you are experience moisture problems in your home BrickVents can be installed along with the application of a siloxane water-proofer. This will help, if not solve, many moisture problems by keeping the majority of water out and allowing the wall to expel the rest through proper ventilation. 3. Before building a new home, explore the possibility of installing BrickVents for a low cost insurance against future moisture (or critter!) problems For more info visit: brickvent.net
Masonry Solutions 
Christa Clouse
March 30, 2011
Interesting! I always wondered what those “holes” were for.
jeff6tiimes7
November 1, 2011
What are weep holes? They are ridiculous inventions that, for me, have allowed pints of water from melting snow to enter my home. I just love my weep holes. 🙂
Kevin stevens
December 12, 2011
I perform maintenance on apartments…I have a mold problem, and windows sweat excessively….building is brick, 3 stories , about 8 years old….I dont see weepholes…any suggestions…I thouht about selling some holes….should I use a sealer too maybe? Thanks for any help…..Kevin
erniealexander
December 12, 2011
Kevin, Weep holes are a start. If water in it’s liquid state is your problem, when you drill holes for weeping, then water should run out. I would recommend vents along the bottom and top of the masonry wall to provide drainage and ventilation. A siloxane sealer would also help keep most of the rain water out. Visit http://www.brickvent.net for a possible solution.
Brent Green
October 29, 2014
By all means, close those bad boys up!
Dave Schisler
October 29, 2014
Is it possible for water to enter a basement if the weep holes are blocked by snow, ice or soil?
Paul
November 6, 2011
Does that mean if I render my home and paint it with a top quality paint I can do away with my weep holes? As no moisture can enter through bricks now?
erniealexander
November 28, 2011
Paul, that would not be advisable. Moisture can migrate from the INSIDE of the home. When this occurs, it will be trapped by the paint and cause spalling issues with the brick. Visit http://www.brickvent.net for a possible solution.
sandy
May 9, 2012
My in law had her weep holes filled in. should I tell her to undo it?
erniealexander
July 29, 2012
Sandy, I would not recommend filling in the weep holes of a home. They assist in the draining of moisture from the exterior wall.
Frances Hunt
May 16, 2012
I have water entering through my weep holes when I get heavy rain is there a solution for this?
erniealexander
July 29, 2012
Frances, I’m sure there is a solution. Finding it might not be easy though. You might start by filling in the weep holes on a temporary basis to see if in fact the water is entering through them.
lisa
August 8, 2012
we have a older block/brick home on the water ,the brick was installed tight to the block no air space was left should that cause a concern with moisture problems ,it appears we have one is there a solution for this or should the brick be taken completely off?please advise
erniealexander
August 8, 2012
Lisa, It is really difficult to diagnose a problem like yours over the internet. I can try though. What is the moisture problem that you seem to be having?
lisa
August 8, 2012
everything rust
PCL
August 22, 2013
I’ve seen a lot of old brick and block buildings built that way; they seem to work fine in many places, though you loose the insulation that the air gap would provide. If there are no noticeable moisture or structural problems, I’d leave it alone.
Mon
September 18, 2012
The weep holes of our brick house have been covered by soil. Should I dig this away as, apart from now realising that it will restrict the air flow, I have been told this will leave easy access for termites to enter?
erniealexander
November 23, 2012
Mon,
Try not to cover too much of the first course of bricks as this is dicouraged througout the industry. The answer to the second part of your question is Yes, the open holes allow for easy entry by not only termites but other insects, reptiles and pests such as mice. If you want to keep the drainage and ventilation capabilities of the brick wall and eliminate the open holes, I would install Brick vents along the bottom of the wall.
waqar
July 1, 2014
Hi Ernie,
Would you please advise if I install Brick Vents along the bottom of the wall, would that be helpful in preventing mice to enter the house. Thanks.
erniealexander
July 1, 2014
Yes, BrickVents would give you ventilation and drainage with no holes large enough for mice to enter. Installing weep inserts would also prevent mice but not give near the drainage and ventilation of BrickVents
Rubes
November 22, 2012
I have discovered a weep hole where water is flowing out into my tarmac driveway. It is a complete nuisance and leaves such a mess. Can I have this blocked and another weep hole placed somewhere else where water will not flow into my drive? Whoever placed it there in the first place, were they in the right and who decides where weep holes should be?
erniealexander
November 23, 2012
Rubes,
Are you sure that the hole draining on to your driveway is a weephole? If so, yes, you can fill in the weep hole that is draining on to your driveway. You will need to drill another weep hole as close to the original since such a great amount of water is draining out. The standard for the placement of weepholes varies from one municipality to another. In my county the are placed every 32″ along the bottom of the brickwork and the initial placement is up to the installing mason.
Rubes
November 24, 2012
Thanks Ernie. Im pretty sure its a weephole, its about 2.5″ dia. There seem to be smaller ones along my dividing wall but water does not flow out from these. My wall is about 30′ long and the part where the weephole is little over 4′ high. By filling this problem and drilling another as close to existing one will not stop the flow of water going into my drive. I live on a hill and there are houses past me and behind me so water is constantly flowing down towards my property during rainy weather. What is best way to permanently fill this hole and what are consequences if I dont drill another. Also am I in the right to fill this hole?
erniealexander
November 24, 2012
Rubes, I do not think that what you are describing is a weep hole. It is much larger than a standard weep hole, and the amount of water coming from it makes me think it is a drainage hole from some other source than the brick wall.(possibly a sump pump) You need someone to come out and tell you exactly what that hole is for. Do not fill it in until you consult with someone you trust in the building industry.
http://tinyurl.com/dacm-8153946546
January 9, 2013
I intend to save this specific blog, “What are weep holes and do I need them?
Masonry Solutions” on my web-site. Do you care if Ido?
Thanks ,Janette
erniealexander
January 9, 2013
Sure
Tom Pullen
February 5, 2013
There is a lot more to moisture issues for a home than weep hole concerns. As a former home inspector with a Building Science degree, I would recommend consulting an educted, experienced home inspector, that has nothing to sell, other than an unbiased opinion.
Patricia
February 28, 2013
Thanks for an informative post. We’ve had flooding issues in our 2 yr old home.
Apparently the original weepholes are covered up by the outside concrete path (the weepholes are LOWER than the “ground level”). The builder is proposing to add weepholes above ground to allow airing and does not want to a) lower the outside concrete or b) fill up the underground weepholes. Any comments on whether additional weepholes will fix the problem (after heavy rain we get water puddles inside the dining room next to that wall).
Also any comments on whether it’s ok to leave the existing underground weepholes or whether they need to be covered up?
Joe Pervan
March 17, 2013
I have had problems with moissture entering a six unit building with weep holes along the windows and patio doors. Is there a way to check if weep holea are doing there job right?
John
April 9, 2013
The weep holes at my new home are installed 1 x row above the bottom floor level, its a two storey house. is this a mistake ot would it of been done for a reason?
Sandra Royers-Scheve
May 6, 2013
I don’t believe that is true. The bricklayer is not putting mortar behind the brick but on top of it.
Karen
April 24, 2013
I have weep wholes all over my house. I thought they were supposed to be at the bottom of the brick. Is this something new or did my builder do something wrong?
lana
August 27, 2013
I have the same thing in the front of my house about 13 ft above ground. I was going to fill it but I’m unsure as well.
Gary Key
May 5, 2013
It has been my experience that weep holes serve no purpose since the airspace behind the bottom row of bricks is full of mortar by the time the brick mason reaches the top of the wall.
sunshine
July 3, 2013
I’m tending to believe what you are saying. See my post below, had a heavy rain this past Sunday and more water in apt. Do you have any idea what would cause this?
William
June 6, 2013
My 80+ year old rowhouse has a less than 10yr-old brick front facade with weep holes but the lowest ones are 4′ above ground level. There is no evidence of any sort of void or vapor barrier between the brick and cinder block nor is there a vapor barrier behind the cinder block. A builder friend says it looks like someone tried to build a modern wall using old-school techniques. If we get 2+ days of driving rain from east to west (thankfully a rare occurance), water trickles down to the basement between the cinder block and the interior walls.
Lately there has been some evidence that the brick/cinderblock exterior wall has pulled away from the house about 1/2″ (noticeable in a gap between window frames and drywall – too big to be shrinkage). Currently no exterior cracking visible and I can’t detect a bow either. Would it make sense to install star bolts at this point to prevent any further movement of the wall? I realize this doesn’t solve moisture issues but at this point I haven’t the money for a new wall and I certainly don’t want anything to worsen.
Karl
June 10, 2013
I have a two story apartment building. One room actually floods when we have a heavy rain. I have tried everything I can think of. A contractor said it could be too much marter in the bottom row preventing the water from getting out. Today I removed some sheet rock. I was amazed the marter was above the plate. I removed it all. Waiting for a heavy rain. Could this cause gallons of water to be washed in to a room?
Jerry
August 17, 2013
I have recently had my chimney stack renovated with new brick layers at the top on which the coping stones rest. The whole stack has been rendered with a couple of plastic weep vents just below the coping. Is this correct? Certainly the damp problem has not gone away!!
lana
August 27, 2013
I have three areas on the second floor of the exterior facade of the house that have no mortar. Should i feel this gap with cement?
Whitt Jackie
September 2, 2013
I cut small pieces of screen wire and pushed one each into the weep holes to keep out pest.
ldrylie
September 10, 2013
Thanks for this informative post! I found it courtesy of another do-it-yourselfer on one of the forums. FYI – the link for “weep inserts” doesn’t lead to weep inserts, instead it takes us back to brick ventilation (just in case you want to fix). No worries – I googled for weep inserts and reached the following website for “bugout” weep hole inserts: http://www.bugoutweepholes.com/about.html. According to the website, insects and other pests can leave through a door in the insert but cannot return. I had a problem with bees getting into the wall through a 2×3″ opening in the brick, and wanted to seal the opening w/o affecting ventilation, and w/o trapping the bees inside, so this seemed like the perfect solution. Apparently they only make one size. A representative there suggested I try using two side-by-side, but informed me that the bees would NOT be able to leave via the insert. When I asked for clarification, the rep only told me the weephole was too large and they wouldn’t be able to help me. So I’m back to using screen and silicone, and paying a lot more $$ to get completely rid of the bees first. Yikes. Maybe this link will help someone with normal-sized weepholes – but be sure to get RID of your critters first.
Lana
October 4, 2013
My newly built brick house does not have weep holes at all. The builder had said he would drill them after it was fully constructed, but hasn’t followed through. Should I have someone do this now?
Robert
October 30, 2013
Are weep holes a requirement for brick sided houses? My house was built in 1989 and does not have any installed should I have some installed? Are they building code? Thanks
Anthony
December 30, 2013
I have Rock and Brick on front of house. No weep holes in rock but they are in brick. Should I drill holes in the mortar surrounding the Rock or? Thanks
erniealexander
January 23, 2014
Anthony, Your situation is similar to Jane’s
JANE
January 22, 2014
Are weep holes necessary if the house is built with a crawl space underneath?
erniealexander
January 23, 2014
Jane If your house was built after 2000, weep holes were mandated by code.However, the code may or may not have been enforced in your area. If you ever sell your house, you may be required to install weep holes.
Gwen
February 26, 2014
Ernie, I am thinking to buy a house built in 1978. Part of the slab concrete sank into the dirt and the weep holes are a little bit lower than or the same level as the ground. The inspector said we need to remove the dirt otherwise when it’s raining water will go into the wall from weep holes. I am wondering if we need to have a mold test since it’s been like this for a while and I am not sure if water already went into the wall and mold grew inside the wall already. It’s scary to think about mold spreading all over inside the walls. Thanks Ernie.
erniealexander
February 26, 2014
Gwen, Assuming that there is block below the brick, I doubt that water was able to reach high enough to come in contact with wood. But it would not hurt a thing to have a mold test done for your assurance.
Gwen
February 26, 2014
Thank you very much, Ernie. It’s very helpful! So inside the bricks, some concrete blocks are put on the ground and then on top of them are the wood. Knowing this I won’t have mold test any more because this will break the wall and the seller won’t like it.
Cris
January 19, 2016
Ernie can you message me!! I have some questions!! I am a certified waterproofer, but have not worked with basement homes! Now I have as a home owner!
Dwight
March 1, 2014
I have a sandbox next to the house that I want to abandon and replace with a garden box. Problem is it will cover the weep holes on a wall that is about eight feet and another which is about five feet. My though was to build a frame about two inches away from the weep holes so there is still ventilation. Is my resolution adequate or do you have another thought?
erniealexander
March 3, 2014
My opinion is that, if you are not currently having moisture related issues, your solution will be fine. Keep in mind that the purpose of the weep holes is to provide drainage as well.
Dwight
March 3, 2014
Thanks for getting back with me and for your opinion.
gabster
April 3, 2014
I’d like to install stone cladding on the exterior of my house over brick. The masonry installer told me it’s OK to cover the gaps between the bricks because my house is 20 years old. Should I trust him?
erniealexander
April 3, 2014
You might get away with covering the weep holes with no problems, but, if you ever go to sell the house you might be required to pay someone to re-drill them. Is there a reason why the mason cannot keep the weep holes and extend them into the stone veneer?
Stephen James
April 3, 2014
Hi…I own a two story brick home. When we get a gusty rain event/storm from the Northeast, we get much rainwater entering from the top, under the overhang and trickling down through the brick and eventually soaking the inside by riding along ceiling joists and wetting the ceiling drywall. I caulked the cedar trim board there but to no avail. I only notice water when it’s WINDY from the NE. Is the rain being suck in there? No moisture notice in other areas when the wind is coming from other directions. I have treated the brick as well. Big Problem a couple of times a year, and replacing ceiling drywall once. Any ideas?
erniealexander
April 3, 2014
There is a possibility that the wind is creating a pressure differential that IS pulling rain in. If that is the case, installing vents at the bottom of the wall might counteract the phenomenon. However I would like to take a look at the problem area. If you could e-mail me a photo of the area, I might have other ideas. Thanks
Kirt
May 10, 2014
Hello- I am looking at purchasing a house in Ohio and the inspector told me that it did not have weep holes. The house was made in 1978. Is this a big deal? Should I start looking for new houses? I am confused on the topic and do not want to spend a lot of money on a bad situation. My biggest concern is mold/rot on the veneer and of course, water intrusion. Thoughts?
Joe Burch
June 4, 2014
Weep holes are the dumbest idea in the history of building construction. I own two brick homes in Florida, one with weep holes, one without, The one with weep holes has a constant problem with insects, termites, roaches, etc,inside the home. The one without weepholes has no problem with insects. Neither home has a problem with mold. I am going to fill in the weep holes as it was a stupid idea from the beginning.
Jeff
June 12, 2014
Ernie, they are putting in a stone patio and sitting wall in our backyard, where the sitting wall meets the patio stone there are holes visible in that crack. He’s telling me that they are weep holes, but only on one side. The wall has no dirt on either side.
I don’t believe them.
erniealexander
June 14, 2014
Jeff,
Technically these would be drainage holes not weep holes. But, they should go all the way through the wall if they are going to drain water efficiently.
Jeff
June 14, 2014
Thanks Ernie, I had then lift the entire patio, if pooling water become a problem then I will drill hole. But it won’t be.
Marva
June 21, 2014
Green stuff on mortar on brick on brick wall.
Sheila Paquette
July 20, 2014
I have a covered front porch and had unilock installed over the cement veranda. About 2 years after this was done I started getting white spots on the original brick on the house and thought it was calcium stains from snow sitting on the veranda because we had just had a winter that never stopped snowing, so snow sat on the veranda until it melted. When I tried wiping and cleaning these white spots the brick started to crumble as well as the mortar between it. The damaged brick is on the inside of the veranda. The brick company that laid the original brick came and analysed the damage and wrote us a report blaming it on the unilock. He said the weep holes were covered by the unilock. The brick appears to have been originally red and covered to give it a different look. Could the unilock have done this? This damaged brick is in a covered front porch.
adam
July 25, 2014
How much of your weep hole can you cover
Marva
July 28, 2014
Thanks for the info. I have green and black stuff on the mortar of the bricks outside across from basement door all the time. I took some mold cleaner and sprayed on and took a toothbrush and cleaned it off and it is coming off. Once it is clean, will it stay clean?
carol
August 3, 2014
A hole was cut into our basement wall by our landlord so house could breathe why
carol
August 3, 2014
Any reason why the hole cannot be covered up with a grate
Haroon
August 26, 2014
I am having the front garden paved, most of the existing weep holes have been covered due to the level required to run the water away from the wall. The builder said that this shouldnt be a problem and that he will drill some extra holes in the brickwork. Will this be sufficient for draining any water and also acting as a vent?
Greatly appreciate any feedback
Many thanks
Haroon
erniealexander
August 26, 2014
Haroon,
As long as the new weep holes are below any underlying wood structure such as floor or band joists, then they should drain adequately. The amount of ventilation provided by any weep hole is questionable at best
Brent Green
October 29, 2014
In this area (southern Midwest), in typical home construction, weep holes are of no benefit. Actually they are a detriment because they allow water to enter behind the veneer wall, act as a revolving door for bugs and spiders; and allow air to infiltrate around the structure. Weep holes are required by local codes, but it is because there is a mandate that require local building inspectors to adhere to the IRC code. IRC 2012 doesn’t address the type of construction that we utilize in our area. However, it provides construction details that we don’t use.
Weep holes are designed for foundations in which the base of the foundation, where the masonry sits, is above the ground. The idea is that if water gets behind the masonry, it can drain out. In our area, the masonry sits on a footing that is below final grade. On the house side of the veneer wall is a 12 to 18 inch high concrete slab. When the veneer is installed, the final grade is backfilled about 4″ deep up against the outside of the veneer wall, so if you install the weep holes where the code dictates, the weep holes would be covered by soil. The reason we backfill is because it provides soil for sod and landscaping, and provides a way to slope the ground away from the house, thus providing positive drainage away from the building, unlike weep holes, which direct water into the building. So what local inspectors require in our area is to raise the weep holes above the backfilled grade, causing a dam between the house side of the veneer wall and the slab. Water can’t get out; it can only get in. Bad idea.
Furthermore, a good many building codes are based on theory, not empirical evidence. The way it typically goes with the code council is that if there is even a remote chance that under perfect storm circumstances some issue could occur, they create a code for it. Of course, the kind of linear thinking the code council utilizes doesn’t address the potential problems that these broad and general codes cause, not to mention all the time and money expended, and the uncertainty and confusion it causes. Anyhow, where we are, water is not getting behind the veneer wall in any quantity to cause damage. I would be surprised if it gets behind the veneer, at all. Of the great many homes that I’ve observed over the last 25 years, some that are 60+ years old now, I have not noticed any problems due to moisture behind the veneer wall, and these homes don’t have weep holes.
Instead of just blindly following codes or general advice about weep holes, it is always a good to get advice from a local expert about your specific issue.
Ash Thomas
January 26, 2015
Everyone! weep holes are only as good as the flashing that is built into your bed joint to direct water from cavity to outside at the correct hight ,this will change depending on concrete slab rebate size (commonly just below internal floor level). Strip footings do not need weep holes due to flashing at vent level. So check to see flashing is installed if not then these are not acting as a weep hole and should just be called a hole.
When
April 28, 2015
If water is coming in from the weepholes can they be seal from the inside of my house.
The only time that i see it coming in is when there is driving rain and it ruins my floor.
Ed Dalrymple
June 23, 2015
I am creating a paver patio that will cover the existing weep holes on one side of the house. Is plugging just one side increasing risk of mold or mildew? You also mentioned you can drill higher weep holes as long as they are below any underlying wood structure like floors. I have a brick slab, how do I know the new hole is low enough?
vicljy
August 21, 2015
Interesting article. Thanks. I learnt something new. I do have a question though. An building inspector told me that the weep holes also come into play as a bushfire zone requirement. How does that work?
Kevin Dahnert
September 18, 2015
Can anyone tell my why only the South and West side of my house as weep holes in my bricks?
Since I am posting, I’ll mention that I just learned about this weep hole thing recently. In fact, I filled in some of the holes to alleviate a rodent problem a few years ago (the house is 45 years old so I assumed these opened up on their own). I plan on removing the cement and putting inserts in all of them. I went almost a decade with no rodents, all of sudden the last two years I keep getting mice during the cold months, why? Is it the colder winters we have had lately (Chicago area) is attracting them? I can’t see how they get in other than the weep holes.
Wade
November 30, 2015
I have a commercial building that water is finding it’s way in during heavy southwest rains, one wall inside a office. There are weep holes right at the bottom next to the sidewalk. Could these be where water could be entering?
erniealexander
December 2, 2015
Wade, It is possible that water could get behind the brick through the weep holes. But there is an additional issue if that water is making it’s way in to the interior of the building.
johnjoyclynfree
January 28, 2016
I live near a trucking terminal, railroad, airport. The house is noisy, The windows have drains will noise comeup thru the weep holes?
erniealexander
January 31, 2016
I doubt that you will be able to tell a difference in the level of sound due to weep holes. But, to be honest, I’m not sure. Anyone else care to comment?
Patrick Jones
March 12, 2016
My wife and I are getting ready to close on a house the current owners have sealed all the weep holes what or any problems may occur due to this
Kenneth
March 31, 2016
I didn’t know better and filled in these weep holes with a mortar fix solution I got at Lowes. Should I undo this?
Sandra
April 19, 2016
Can I feel in my weep holes and make them higher up?
Tom
May 8, 2016
Hi , looking at purchasing a house and noticed there was no weep holes in house ,was told that it was rendered over 14 years ago please advise
Scott O
May 26, 2016
Ernie – appreciate your inputs. I have a 4 yr old house. We have a covered patio where the builder has weep holes immediately above my windows. Upon heavy rains we receive significant water leaking atop the sheet rock and into the interior of our house. Shouldn’t these weep holes be at the bottom of the windows instead of the top?
Annemarie Gerber
June 8, 2016
Is it a must for brick vents because the place we are living doesn’t have any and everywere the mold has started apearing and the landlord wants too blame us for the mold.
Erik Borbinceane
July 8, 2016
what if you build a new wall and put cavity wall insulation, do you still have to put weep vents? tx
erniealexander
August 15, 2016
You should consult with your local building inspector
Andy
August 18, 2016
I have a weep hole next to my garage door and when I look into the hole I see the wires going into the conduit that go up to the breaker panel. I did not like to be able to see wires and I felt the weep hole was not doing much good but allowing critters to get inside of the wall in the garage since it was completely open. I filled that one weep hole in with gray silicone. That is the only one I filled in. Is that an issue? In most of the weep holes you can see the house wrap they put over the OSB framing but on this one, like I said, I could see wires. I really didn’t want a mouse biting into those or water getting blown in on the wires to the house panel.
Ernie Alexander
August 18, 2016
Andy, It is my opinion that you are OK. If are concerned, you could always use a hammer drill to drill another hole nearby
Angie
October 23, 2016
Hi I have like damp patches forming on the inside around a window. Looks like smoke stain. Paint work is discoloured. The wall doesn’t get much sun. Above the window is a concrete lintel. I have two weep holes either side about 2 courses above the window. Is the damp marks around the window due to the weep holes??
Ernie Alexander
October 23, 2016
Angie, It is almost impossible to diagnose your situation without seeing it in person. You could try to send some photos and I could give you my opinion from them.
Velma
March 25, 2017
We have a brick frame house built in 1968 and it is built on slab in Florida. I have not found any weep holes or vents in brick. Could there be another way it is vented? We want to stain the brick and I don’t want to change the ability of brick and mortar to dry out.
Ernie Alexander
March 25, 2017
Velma, I doubt it is vented in any other way. You are correct in thinking that staining or painting the brick may seal moisture in. I would recommend adding vents such as BrickVents to allow the brick to breathe. Here is a link to the website
Brickguy
May 19, 2017
Hey Ernie, I work for a major brick company in the southwest as a repair coordinator. And weep holes are a major problem causer. We’re in an area that have multiple freeze thaws every season. And brick spall…. But along with that, do not use cored brick for sidewalks, garden planters, and mailboxes. Cored brick are only meant to be up against a nice warm house with proper drainage.
Davy allan
June 29, 2017
My house hasweepholes above the patio doors and when there is heavy rain water pours out of them into the conservotory what can I do any ideas I can’t find any solutions please help @
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Ernie Alexander
July 2, 2017
Davy, I would recommend waterproofing the brick above the patio doors. Make sure to use a waterproofer with Siloxane as the active ingredient.
Ash Thomas
January 23, 2018
All,a weep hole is for condensation and MUST have flashing behind the insulation paper directing water out the weep hole . A vent is for air flow , slab houses do not have vents due to no area under house
Desi
September 16, 2018
I have water coming up through the floor in my basement after getting nine inches of rain in two days. I have sealed all the cracks where the water was getting in except for two weep holes I left in the floor that flows to a deck drain. I figured this will allow the water to flow harmlessly to the drain vice it coming up elsewhere in the basement. Is this a good idea?
Wes Watson
September 18, 2018
My house was built in 1971, I bought it May of this year, 2018…didn’t know anything about weep holes until this weekend until hurricane Florence came through and I found myself shop vac’ing gallons of water up in two corners of the livingroom.
I thought it was a poorly sealed foundation layer of the house, about 6-8″ of house is below grade. Started digging and found all these holes about 5″ below the dirt in the mortar.
Do you think that the flooding I experienced was from the weep holes? We had about 20″ of rain drop on us in 2 days and it took a day of it before it started flooding.
Soooo….what would your recommendation be? make sure the ground is slopped away from the weep holes? Make sure the holes are uncovered? I’ve got a small ditch along the side of my house right now as I make the determination of what needs to happen.
Tennille Cheong
October 7, 2018
Hi
If the floor slab is elevated on brick piers (ie not slab-on-ground) and there is under-house access, are weep holes still necessary? Noting our brick veneer house has been cement rendered over with no weep holes.
Bret
April 4, 2019
If you are only installing brick up to the top of a 9′ foundation wall and stopping it so that it doesn’t come up to the framed part of the home, do you still need weep vents, through wall flashing, etc?
Ernie Alexander
April 5, 2019
Bret, you would have to refer to your local code, but, it is my opinion that they would be of benefit as long as they are not clogged. They should help ventilate and drain the space between the block and brick.
Phillip c Lindhurst
May 30, 2019
A customer was concern about mice and roaches coming in the weep holes. I explained why they where needed. but I folded some screening and inserted in the holes to stop some entry but allowing for ventilation. Was this a reasonable solution, would it cause any harm.
Ernie Alexander
June 4, 2019
Phil, as long as you have not blocked them completely, you should be fine
Marcelo Remotti
June 2, 2019
Hello Ernie
How can we temporarily block/cover weep holes in our veneer/brick when flood waters are expected?
During Harvey in Texas we had 50″ of rain and my sand bagging worked well except that on the sides of the house the week holes were too high from the ground that I could not protect them and water seeped in flooding the house by 1″
Using expandable foam like for insulation to later remove as much as possible after storm?
Heavy Duty waterproofing/sealing tape that would stick to brick?
Thanks
Marcelo
Ernie Alexander
June 2, 2019
Marcelo,
If the problem is coming through the weep holes and not elsewhere through the brick, I think I would recommend Polyurethane caulk. Removal would be an issue and I think that you could address that by first filling the openings of the weep holes with any kind of filler just to keep the caulk from going too deep. I thing package tape would work. Secondly, you would need to embed something in the tape that would protrude out from the front to give you a “handle” to assist in removing the caulk. And third, caulk over the tape just on the surface (approx. 1/4″ deep)
Darren
July 29, 2020
Ernie, hi. I live in a building, built for 6 apartments. Built in 2006, I moved in 2011. 3years ago the render was replaced on side of building. I was looking other day at the weep holes. I’m not sure if mine were covered up. But there are still a few on the wall mainly below me. The question is, do you need these holes for each apartment going up the wall, and also at the front, where the windows are, front and back of building. My building is 3 apartments up, with 3 next to me on side. Thanks
Ernie Alexander
July 29, 2020
Darren, My guess is that your local building codes require these locations for weep holes.
Stone Brick
March 11, 2022
Thanks for the tips on weep holes! I had no idea what they were before, but now that I do I’m definitely going to install them in my house.
David Monsivais
May 3, 2022
I’m curious why it’s required in residential homes but not on commercial structures. In commercial structures … masonry, brick, stone, stucco is in direct contact to concrete, no visible weep holes or drip screeds.