Home Run Inspections, LLC

Wall Ventilation

Weep Holes on exterior masonry walls are something we look for as Home Inspectors. I have done a fair amount of research into the topic and thought I would share my opinion. As you probably know, all Home Inspectors have one.

So the way I look at it, if the home that I am inspecting does not have weep holes, I don’t mention it. Why you ask? Because the solution would be both costly and, very likely, not effective. Or worse, damaging to the home design. If you look at the diagram below you can see why.

Above you see that the weep hole itself is just one element of a system. If I were to randomly drill out some weep holes with no knowledge of where the sill plate is or whether or not necessary flashing has been installed and its location, I am probably creating more problems then I am solving.

On the other hand, if I can see that weep holes were installed and have been filled in with a material or are now below grade and need to be cleared, then I feel more confident in suggesting an improvement.

Tip-If you or someone in your new residence is not ok with a hole in the mortar even if it is for a purpose, you can insert some steel wool. It’s cheap, easy, and will still let any vapor moisture escape as necessary. Most importantly, it will keep out the mice and spiders.

Love your home and it will love you back!
Scott Price, CPI, #1532
Certified Home Inspector
Home Run Inspections
405-905-9175
Info@HomeRunInspections.com
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Weep Holes

Did you ever wonder why your home has those little holes(Weep Holes) at the bottom of your brick walls? Have you tried to plug them due to concerns about spider and rodent entry? Well, if you have, you are not alone. As home inspectors we see this problem all the time. So here is a little information about these holes known as Weep Holes.

Moisture Drainage

Modern masonry veneer walls should have drainage provisions installed. Weep holes allow water that has reached the space behind the veneer to drain out of the wall system. Weep holes can be created by simply leaving out the mortar from every fourth or fifth vertical joint in the bottom course of the wall. Flashing installed at the bottom of the wall will direct the water out of the weep holes.

Screening

Weep holes can be an integral part of a vented rain screen. This screen reduces the amount of water that can be forced through a masonry veneer wall during wind-driven rains. During a wind-driven rainstorm, there is a positive, high pressure on the outside of the masonry wall, and a low or atmospheric pressure at the interior. This pressure difference can drive moisture into the masonry material and through the wall.

Masonry Walls

Modern masonry veneer walls have a cavity or air space behind them. This air space is typically 1 inch wide and located between the masonry and the interior wall. This space is vented to the outside with the use of weep holes located at the bottom of the wall. During heavy windstorms, air enters the weep holes and pressurizes the space behind the masonry veneer. As a result of this pressurized air space, there is a smaller pressure difference across the masonry units. Less water will move into and through the masonry.

If water goes through the masonry, it will drain down the air space or rain screen. The water will reach the weep holes at the bottom of the wall and will be directed outside by the flashing. Weep holes let air and water pass through them

Home Run Inspections, LLC

Oklahoma: 405-905-9175

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Tag Archive for: weep holes

Weep Holes

Wall Ventilation

Weep Holes

Weep Holes

Moisture Drainage

Screening

Masonry Walls

Home Run Inspections, LLC

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