Weep Holes release water and moisture that finds its way through the brick veneer. When it rains, water begins to soak into the exterior brick. Brick is not completely impervious. Water and water vapor can still find its way through this porous material.

Brick is one of the most popular exterior materials for houses in our area. It’s beautiful, and people associate it with a solid, well-made structure. You must be careful because it is easy to believe that a brick wall is solid, rather brick facades are not connected directly to the wood interior walls. A space between the inner and outer walls is created to allow air to flow. Even though the brick itself appears strong and impervious, it is a porous material that can allow moisture to penetrate through it. Water will soak through brick in a matter of hours as rain is driven against the brick’s surface.

If wood framing and sheathing behind the brick gets wet, they can develop mold and even rot even if barriers such as sheathing paper are used to restrict moisture movement through the walls. To make matters worse, these areas are typically hidden and problems may not be discovered until considerable damage has been done. If evidence of water intrusion is found, the most likely visual proof will be water stains, damp areas or rot at the sill plate, or even stains or damp areas at the top of the foundation wall. Leaks and stains around windows and doors are other clues.