Why weep holes?

Why weep holes?

What are weep holes?

According to Wikipedia : 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.
Weeps may also be necessary in a retaining wall, so water can escape from the retained earth, thus lessening thehydrostatic load on the wall and preventing moisture damage from freeze/thaw cycles. In such cases the weeps consist of small-diameter plastic, clay or metal pipes extending through the wall to a layer of porous backfill.
Typically, weeps are arranged to direct water which may have entered an assembly from outside back to the outside. Weeps may also be found in metal windows and glazed curtain walls to permit interstitial condensation to escape.

Weep holes are crucial to your home being able to "breathe", and helping your exterior avoid retaining moisture. 

What does this mean to you? Your brick facade exterior on the home you are buying or may already home should have weep holes. There are specific standards that these weep holes should meet, and meeting these requirements is vital to the long term strutural stability of your home.

There could even be some unexpected results from improperly installed weep holes:

The video above shows a product that is unnecessary if the weep holes are properly installed by your builder. 

How can you find out if your home has been properly constructed? 
Call me!