Table of Contents
What is the purpose of weep hole?
The Masonry Design Manual describes weep holes as, ‘Openings placed in mortar joints of facing materials at the level of flashing, to permit the escape of moisture, or openings in retaining walls to permit water to escape.
Are weep holes really necessary?
Though homeowners naturally want to block pests, weep holes should not be sealed with caulk or mortar. The holes are still necessary to drain water and to ventilate the air space.
What are weep holes and how do they work?
A weep hole is a passage for water to escape a building envelope. Weep holes serve an important purpose of a home; they allow the home to “breathe” as some say. Since there are many chances for water to enter the home, weep holes allow for water exit.
What happens if you cover weep holes?
Whatever you do, do not fill those weep holes. They’re an integral part of the drainage system to keep water from building up behind the brick. If allowed to contact any untreated lumber, this water will cause serious wood rot, mold and, eventually, structural problems with your home.
Can mice enter through weep holes?
The weep hole leads to the wall cavity – a nice, dry safe place for pests to set up home. It’s obvious that small pests such as cockroaches and spiders can crawl through weep holes, but vertebrate pests such as lizards, snakes and even mice can also squeeze through a normal weep hole.
Why do brick houses have weep holes?
The small vertical slots near the bottom of brick walls are known as weep holes and are used to allow any moisture from condensation to drain out of the wall as well as air to circulate.
Should all brick homes have weep holes?
Bricks Don’t Have Eyes Masonry is porous. Moisture can penetrate the surface and at siding junctions. Therefore, brick veneer walls require weep holes to permit moisture to escape from behind the veneer and to allow gaps between the brick veneer and the exterior sheathing to dry.
Is it OK to put steel wool in weep holes?
Weep holes are often left unsecured which, of course, offers no protection against foraging pests. Corrugated plastics and steel wool pieces are also used to deter pests. Steel wool needs to be recharged, as rodents will pull the material from the weep hole to gain access, or to use the steel wool in nests.
Can snakes get into house through weep holes?
Rats, mice and lizards will get in the house thru weep holes, and snakes can go ANYWHERE they can go. Usually they will end up in the attic.
Can water leak through weep holes?
At the bottom of the wall, openings (called weep holes) are constructed in the brick mortar joints. Moisture barriers and flashing that are improperly installed, missing, or have been torn and damaged during construction, can have gaps and holes, which could lead to water leaks into the house.
Do poured concrete walls need weep holes?
But there’s no need to build a drainage trench behind the wall or to install weep holes in the face of the wall. Poured concrete and concrete block. Both also require two drainage assists designed to reduce hydrostatic pressure, the main reason retaining walls topple.
Do weep holes work?
In an ideal situation, weep holes will work as they should, taking water out of the house and letting it dry up quickly. In the real world, however, weep holes are places where small mice, insects, and other little critters get in and start living.
How do you keep bees out of weep holes?
This can cause moisture problems and at some point, leaks in the home. To prevent this from happening, spray the holes with the CYPERMETHRIN CONCENTRATE. These bees hate this stuff and will avoid treated areas. If you only have a few holes to treat, use the D-FORCE AEROSOL.
Why is there gaps in brickwork?
Those gaps are called “weep holes” — a building code requirement that drains water out of brick exterior walls. Typically, behind the brick is a 1.5-inch cavity or air space and then the wood structure. Some homes with brick cavity walls do not have weeps.
Can rats get in weep holes?
Weep holes help to prevent moisture damage and are necessary for the structural integrity of your brick house. Unfortunately, they are also a very common point of entry for mice and rats. Other pests can also use the weep holes in bricks to gain entry, like snakes, scorpions, lizards, bees, wasps, and spiders.
Can rats chew through bricks?
As rodents, rats have teeth which are constantly growing. Because of this, rats can chew through almost anything: wood, drywall, brick, concrete, aluminum, sheetrock, and more.
How do I get rid of snakes in my walls?
Snakes usually enter the home through holes or cracks in the outer walls or foundations (although some can climb very well), so check your exterior walls carefully and plug any gaps. Use fine metal mesh to cover vent holes and crawl spaces, and fill other gaps with spray foam.
Can snakes get through small holes?
Because snakes cannot chew or dig, they must gain entrance through small holes and cracks. Depending on their size, snakes may even be able to slither under gaps in doors.
