If that is not enough information for you guys how about a word from the “Brick Industry Association”
One can listen to know it alls or one can listen to facts.
Follow or be a leader.
I choose the later… WEEP HOLES
Weep holes channel moisture collected on the flashing to the exterior of the wall assembly. For best performance, weep holes should always be located directly on the flashing. If weep holes are installed one to two masonry courses above the flashing, they will not perform their intended function. Some types of weep holes may aid in drying out the wall system, although this is not their primary purpose.
Weep holes can be formed in a number of ways. Some of the most common are: 1) omitting mortar in all or part of the head joint; 2) use of removable rods or ropes; 3) plastic or metal tubes; and 4) use of a wicking material. There are also plastic and metal vents that cover weep holes used in lieu of mortar in vertical head joints. Open head joints are recommended as weep holes; however, as long as weep holes remain open for drainage and positioned at the required flashing locations with the appropriate size and spacing, the specific type of weep hole selected is not critical.
Please tell me how many weep hole screen geniuses are going to actually write it up…I need a good laugh.
What would the write up be…(laugh)… *The weep holes do not have weep hole screens that although are not required I like to make up my own crap so as to actually make you think I know what the heck I am doing…don’t mind the fact that I am more concerned about something that is not needed versus checking the required spacing between the veneer and sheathing or whether there is a proper moisture barrier behind the veneer yet with that said, it is my recommendation that a weep hole screen be installed in all weep holes…even though they are not needed.
*Are you also inspecting for Sky Hooks to ensure that the roof system is braced properly… (laugh).
Finally Bob, I looked at Mortar Net Weep vents I like their diagram on how their product will catch all the exaggerated fallen mortar and some how still allow proper ventilation…despite the fact that such would become a sponge which through a freeze thaw cycle would cause more harm than good or brick masons to become so lazy they don’t care about their workmanship and you actually end up having mortar fill the cavities as depicted by their stupid diagram…lol…oh, but that takes a little bit of forethought to figure that out.
I jumped into this late, and I’m confused by your post. Somebody to start asked if a Weep Hole in a Brick Wall should have Screens (???). I’m guessing the original poster is a new inspector without much experience.
A few posts later, another inspector named BUCK made a post in reply to the 1st post. Buck’s post said:
**“Be lucky there is some type of weep hole. Most of the time I do not see them at all. Could there be some under the mulch”? **
Personally I read that as THERE MIGHT BE MORE WEEP HOLES UNDER THE MULCH. Then you put up the following post …
If I read your post right, it looked like you thought this Buck guy was inferring there should be screens on the WEEP HOLES. I must be missing something cause I did’t read that at all…
Nowhere above does it say that open head joints as a weep hole should have a screen.
I am the first to admit that I do not know everything and that is why I asked. I actually emailed from the field for a quick answer, before my client showed. I do not have as much experience as many of you gentleman and I appreciate your wisdom.
This is indeed the first NEW BRICK home I inspected. They just do not build in brick down here.
For all of you that feel it necessary to insult of belittle me and other fellow inspectors:
Had you read the posts you would have known: this is indeed the first NEW BRICK home I inspected and they just do not build in brick down here.
Clearly from the views on this are varied, so if anyone has Mike Holmes phone or email I’ll check with him, because I would expect someone to tear it down to tell me what I missed.:twisted:
FYI, With Florida building codes, I do believe that if they are not in the plans the designer would be the responsible party. To change the plans on the engineer of record would and should be huge liability.
omitting mortar in all or part of the head joint; 2) use of removable rods or ropes; 3) plastic or metal tubes; and 4) use of a wicking material. [size=5]There are also plastic and metal vents that cover weep holes used in lieu of mortar in vertical head joints. Open head joints are recommended as weep holes; however, as long as weep holes remain open for drainage and positioned at the required flashing locations with the appropriate size and spacing, the specific type of weep hole selected is not critical.
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There’s a 1st time for everything. I saw my first weep hole screen today. Soft of like a honeycomb. I liked it! If I ever built a brick house, I’d probably put this type in. But I still won’t write it up if they are absent.
I KNEW I had seen that stuff before. I tried to pull one out to get a good look at it, but they were in there too tight. That’s a pretty good solution, if you want a screen.
Pulte Homes is apparently implementing this now. Probably some NACHI member busted them about it once too often and they decided to get onboard.
