Weep holes, and the two jobs they do
Drainage and inspection, from a gap the size of a mortar joint.
In short: No weep hole found in a run of brickwork, and weep holes below the height they need to be.
The drainage job
A cavity wall takes water. Weep holes let it drain back out and let the cavity dry.
The inspection job
The gap between the weep hole and the ground is also the zone where termite activity would have to become visible.
What we recorded
No weep hole found in a run of Box Hill brickwork, and separately weep holes below the minimum height above the adjacent ground.
What goes wrong without them
Water is held against the frame behind the brick, which is slow, hidden and expensive.
Fixing it
Weep holes can be formed retrospectively, and ground levels can be cut back. Both are ordinary trade work.
Written by the Owner Inspections team from inspections carried out in Box Hill. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.
