What is the purpose of a weep in a wall?
However, the main function of a weep is to allow water that collects on the flashings (which can be placed at the base of the wall, at a shelf angle or lintel) a clear and open path to the exterior of the façade. In the masonry code describing masonry veneer, the commentary states:
What is a weep hole in brick?
Weep holes are small, uniformly-spaced openings between bricks where the mortar would traditionally be. These openings are intentionally left by masons to allow water that is absorbed by the brick to drain water and prevent it from seeping into a house’s structure.
What is a polyester weep?
The polyester weeps are non-directional and can be utilized with different-sized materials simply by rotating the weep.
What is a louvered weep?
Louvered weeps also offer a tried and true weep insert that is commonly used only in modular brick. This weep has a louver that fills the face of the head joint and a tab that extends across the top of the brick, keeping it secure. The weep may not be the most aesthetic, but it has a good ability to function for the life of the structure.
What is a weep rope?
All Purpose Weep Cords are designed to help wick out water that collects behind brick or block. 100% solid braided cotton cord offers excellent water absorption properties.
What is a weep hole in construction?
A weep, a weep hole, or a weep-brick is a small opening that allows water to drain from within an assembly. Weeps are located at the bottom of the object to allow for drainage; the weep hole must be sized adequately to overcome surface tension.
What happens if water gets in 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.
Why are weep holes necessary?
Weep holes are open gaps left between some bricks in external masonry walls. They serve two important purposes: Ventilation of the internal wall cavity - Without ventilation, mildew, dry rot and damp reduce the life of the internal wall studs and other building materials within the cavity.
How do you identify a weep hole?
Weep holes will always be located in the row of bricks directly above the flashing, because flashing is installed below the bottom row of bricks.
Where are weep holes required?
Weepholes are required for any window wider than 1m where there is no overhang or the roof overhang is not three times the distance between the top of the window and the bottom of the roof.
What are weep holes in concrete?
Weep holes are holes drilled into the bottom row of cement blocks to drain the water that has infiltrated them. Water exits through the weep holes, alleviating the pressure on your foundation walls. The excess water then flows into the drainage system.
Where should weep holes be placed?
Weep holes are typically found in the outer masonry leaf of cavity walls, just above the flashing. They can also be found above windows, doors or other penetrations. They should be provided at regular intervals so as to allow any moisture collected by cavity trays to escape.
What is a rope weep?
Many have seen an example of a rope weep that has moisture stains around the outside end of the cord; it appears to have moisture ‘weeping’ from it. What is really happening is a small amount of moisture is actually exiting the cavity through small voids in the bed joint of mortar at the 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock positions on the bottom radius of the sash cord.
What is a weep in masonry?
Various tube weeps—pieces of plastic pipe cut to length—have also been introduced to the masonry industry. Their installation procedure is virtually the same as the sash cord material and so are the shortcomings. Even when the tubes are correctly installed on the flashing’s surface, the weep’s wall thickness is still a water dam.
What was the first weep detail?
by John H. Koester. One of the first commonly employed weep details was the sash cord or ‘rope’ weep. In some cases, this detail was expanded with sections of the sash cord laid in the cavity and then extended through the wall, usually at a head joint. In other cases, the sash cord was fastened vertically up the backside of the cavity.
How to install a weep tube?
These tubes are installed simply by cutting away the bed mortar placed on the flashing, placing the tube in the joint and pulling a buttered brick into place. Unfortunately, the tubes serve as an excellent passageway for stink bugs, ants, honey bees and a host of other non-desirable insects. For a weep tube to be functional, the interior opening of the tube must be against the mortar collection device, so that mortar droppings will not spatter and clog the tube.
What is the purpose of a weep hole?
However, the main function of a weep is to allow water that collects on the flashings (which can be placed at the base of the wall, at a shelf angle or lintel) a clear and open path to the exterior of the façade. In the masonry code describing masonry ...
How long should wicks be for a weep?
Most building codes allow no less than 3/16 inch diameter and up to 33 inches on center spacing of weeps. In this case, these wicks need to be at least 16 inches long and extend through the brick into the airspace and along the back of the brick.
How many inches are weep ropes?
These weep ropes were spaced at 8 inches on center. Aesthetically, this looks odd and appears like too many weep ropes were used. Typical cell vent installation in veneer. Weeps are typically placed at 24 inches on center, and this is a good rule of thumb.
Where to place weeps in a fireplace?
The function of weeps is not limited to flashing. It has become somewhat standard to place weeps at the upper level of the floor veneer, typically under the shelf angle in commercial construction or just under the soffit in residential construction. When placed in these locations, a chimney effect can occur in the cavity. During the heat of the day, vaporized air can find its way to the top of the cavity and vent through a weep placed at the top of the cavity — or what is becoming commonly known as a ventilation weep.
Can mesh weeps be used with mortar?
Corrugated mesh weeps are available from many manufacturers and can be purchased in colors that conveniently match many mortars. This is a time-proven product that does not offer a downside. A gray-colored vent will often work well during the life of the building, even with contrasting mortar colors used during construction.
Can ants use weep tubes?
Unfortunately, the tubes serve as an excellent passageway for stink bugs, ants, honey bees and a host of other non-desirable insects. For a weep tube to be functional, the interior opening of the tube must be against the mortar collection device, so that mortar droppings will not spatter and clog the tube.
What is cotton weep cord?
Cotton Weep Cord is a solid braided rope utilizing 100% cotton fiber with no synthetic fibers or polish used in the construction. The most common application is masonry work. Cotton weep cords are used to absorb moisture left behind in the building process to prevent masonry from weeping.
What is a sash cord?
Cotton Sash Cord is a solid braid rope produced with synthetic reinforced core to provide greater tensile strength and reduced stretch when compared to 100% cotton cords. Sash cord is used in many general purpose applications as well as window sash cords.
What is a weep hole?
A weep, weep holes, or a weep brick is a small opening that enables water to drain from an assembly located on the bottom of the object to permit the drainage, these holes should be sufficiently sized to overcome surface pressure.
Why are weeps important?
The weeps could also be essential for a retaining wall so water can escape from the retained earth, thu s lowering the hydrostatic load on the wall and preventing moisture harm from freeze/thaw cycles .
Why do weep holes exist?
Weep holes provide a gap that permits drainage for moisture from the back of the wall by penetration, capillary action, or leakage. It is installed in brick masonry to protect the air behind the wall from mildew, dry rot, and moisture which affects the life and performance of the building.
How does a weep hole affect the structure?
The weep hole also reduces buoyancy and uplift on the structure , making it potential to construct a lighter structure without any uplift associated stability issues.
Why do weep holes need to be in the walls?
Weep holes are necessary to allow rainwater to exit the house, if water remains in the bricks, it leaks into the interior walls.
How are weep holes made?
This weep hole are made using a 12-inch rope are placed in pairs and the other end extended to the wall of the cavity. The water behind the wall is absorbed by the cotton and evaporates to the other side, this process is slower than ordinary row holes. 3. Tubes Weep Holes:
What are the disadvantages of weeping holes?
Disadvantages of Weep Holes: Blockage of Weep Hole due to Trash Mortar: When hole are installed in the brick masonry, the mortars squeeze between successive courses of bricks and drop down into the weep hole. This can partially or completely prevent weep hole by scraping mortar. 2.
What is a weep hole?
Weep holes are small, uniformly-spaced openings between bricks where the mortar would traditionally be. These openings are intentionally left by masons to allow water that is absorbed by the brick to drain water and prevent it from seeping into a house’s structure.
Why put wire mesh over weep hole?
Stainless steel wire mesh can be laid over the top of a weep hole to block rodents and insects from entering. The mesh is strong enough to withstand chewing and won’t rust or corrode when exposed to water flowing through the weep hole.
How many feet of brick to install weep holes?
Adding weep holes post-construction usually involves entirely removing brick sections 3-4 feet at a time, installing flashing and weep holes, and re-installing the bricks. If you need weep holes installed, contact a professional builder or mason for assistance.
Why do weep holes need to be drilled?
Weep holes allow air to move freely around the internal wall cavity and prevent rot and mildew from building up on the structural wall. Without proper ventilation, the structural wall may be subject to deterioration or damage.
Why do brick veneer walls have weep holes?
Brick veneer walls must have weep holes to prevent water from penetrating through the brick outer layer and causing water damage to the actual framing of a home. Once water makes contact with the framing materials, it can cause short and long-term water damage that will severely impact the stability and longevity of the house’s structure.
Why do brick walls need weep holes?
Brick walls must have weep holes to allow water that is absorbed by the brick to exit the wall. If water gets into the wall and has no way to exit, ...
What are weep holes in brick?
If you’ve ever wandered by a brick home or building and wondered what unlucky builder forgot to fill some holes in the wall, you’re certainly not the first! However, those tiny holes, called weep holes, were intentionally placed and serve a very important purpose . If you’re interested in purchasing a modern brick home, it’s imperative to understand why brick walls should be equipped with weep holes and how they will help keep your home safe and secure.
