A Brief Guide to Masonry Weep holes for Residential Bricks

5 June 2023,

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If you don’t work in construction or masonry, chances are you are not familiar with the term “weep holes” in bricks. However, this is very important to know when you are installing bricks in your house.

Some homeowners who don’t know the role of these holes in masonry filled them up to prevent insects from getting in.

All about Weep holes: Why are they important?

To understand the important role that weep holes in walls play, we must first explain a wall’s components. The wall has a masonry coating and a wooden component. Thus, it has two membranes that protect it internally and externally against rain.

The exterior includes bricks, mortar joints, or stones, grouting joints, and flashing. The interior is protected by the lining membrane.

Masonry is not rainproof. Heavy rains increase the amount of water that can penetrate the masonry facing through cracked mortar joints or through the brickwork. The quality of the installation and materials, and the condition of the flashings and the building envelope account for the amount of water penetration.

The water that penetrates the masonry wall will trickle down. This requires good sealing and drainage at the bottom of the wall. Here you will find the weep holes and the base flashing.

Weights are placed in the first row, and above the openings, like windows and doors. This allows access between the masonry and the intermediate coating.

Weep holes help to evacuate water that infiltrates the masonry. If they are clogged, water will build up behind the wall and will penetrate the building over time. They also ensure that air can circulate in the gap behind the masonry.

Weep holes offer many advantages that should not be underestimated. In the table below, we explain everything you need to know about this feature of the brick wall:

Characteristic of Weep Holes	Description or Purpose
Airflow	By allowing air to circulate, the weeping can eliminate humidity and condensation.
Elimination of Water	A brick wall is not waterproof, allowing your building to breathe. Thanks to the weep hole, the rainwater that penetrates behind your brick wall can be evacuated more easily.
Prevention of Debris	A weep hole is wide enough to allow water to filter through and ventilate the stone wall, but narrow enough to prevent the accumulation of debris.
Delayed installation	If your brick wall does not have a weep hole, you can still install one.

Weep holes are essential in brick walls. It is, therefore, important not to fill the holes if you renovate your wall.

Brick weep holes should not be filled

If you decide to do a brick wall renovation, you should not fill weep holes because they have a purpose!

Throughout the year, the brick wall is confronted with the difficult and unique climatic conditions in Quebec.

Weep holes were put in place to prevent water build up.

Indeed, the damage caused by the accumulation of liquid and humidity behind a brick wall will not be visible to the naked eye. It may be many years before you realize the seriousness of the situation.

In addition, if you sell your house in the future with weep holes that were filled, the property can face issues that you can be held responsible for due to hidden defects.

How to install a weep hole on your wall?

Whether the house you bought is old or new, it is possible that it does not have a weep hole. If you want to install a weep hole, the procedure is not the same in each case.

For older houses

If you buy a magnificent ancestral house without a weep hole, don’t panic!

It is always possible to have one installed. Weep holes were not invented until this century so don’t jump to conclusions about negligence on the part of the previous owner.

The first step is to check if the absence of weeping has caused damage to the interior of your brick walls.

It is advisable to change a few bricks around the area were you want to install the hole. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The two walls of the weep hole must be installed 32 inches apart from each other.
It is advisable to install the weep hole in a strategic place such as above a door or near a window.
Take the time to clear the joints well so as not to leave any mortar residue on both sides of the wall where the weep hole is located.

In the case of a newer homes

If you buy a new house without a weep hole, you need to investigate. The fault may lie with the contractor associated with the construction.

In this case, it’s best not to do the installation yourself. Behind the walls of newer homes, you may find a cladding composed of membranes and flashings. The latter can easily be damaged when the mortar joint used to install the weather stripping is pierced. It’s a good idea to get in touch with a professional bricklayer/mason who can do the inspection and advise you of the cost.

The Cost of Various Masonry Work in 2024

In case you need masonry work done in your home, here are the average prices for various masonry jobs in Quebec.

Most bricklayers charge an hourly rate of around $140 per hour. This rate considers factors such as association fees, insurance, profits, etc.

If the rate offered to you is much lower, exercise caution because the mason may lack credentials or experience.

Repairs on the facade

Repairs on a whole façade is an expensive masonry job. If a few bricks need replacement and there are no complexities or obstacles, the cost runs from $30 to $35 per square foot.

The cost of new bricks is about $6 to $10 per square foot for the insulation and about $30 to $40 per square foot for the bricks.

Repointing

When the mortar holding the bricks together has disintegrated and the joints no longer hold, brick repointing becomes necessary. If you don’t do this, your façade could come crumbling down.

The average price for brick repointing is $20 to $30 per square foot.

Repairing the foundation

Foundation plastering costs about $7.50 per square foot. Work below the window ledges could cost from $500 to $600 while lintels above the windows cost around $1,000 to $2,000.

Bulging Brick: Don’t let your brick wall collapse

Bulging brick is a dangerous situation. If you observe your masonry wall to have a bulge, contact a professional immediately.

In most cases, it can be remedied by solidifying the structure. At times, however, removal of the stones or bricks and rebuilding part of the wall may be necessary.

Unusual swelling on stone walls can indicate bulging brick problems. A window may suddenly become uneven. Temperature fluctuations cause brick problems so monitor your walls during periods of freeze-thaw.

Don’t delay any issue with your brick wall – don’t wait for it to collapse!

Get quotes for masonry work from the best professionals

Not everyone has the necessary skills to handle a variety of masonry jobs. If you want a professional to do it for you, we can help!

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With the help of masonry contractors, you can feel confident that your masonry needs will be handled with the utmost professionalism and knowledge for the best results.

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