Masonry weeps should be placed at regular intervals to allow cavity drainage in veneer walls and prevent trapped moisture.

For a practical thumb rule use weeps every twenty four inches along the bottom of the veneer and immediately above all lintels and shelf angles to let water escape from the cavity. Where weeps are needed but mortar tooling or coursing makes holes impractical, install polypropylene wicks or drill appropriate size holes through the mortar joint back to the cavity to maintain continuous drainage. Always pair weeps with a properly sloped flashing at shelf angles and sills so water directed to the weep has a clear exit path and cannot soak adjacent materials. Maintain a clear one quarter inch to three eighths inch gap in the mortar joint at the weep location or use a compatible weep product sized to match the cavity depth so capillary action is minimized. Behind the veneer provide a continuous drainage plane such as building paper or a water resistive barrier and keep insulation and sheathing details clear of the weep zone to avoid clogging. Inspect and clean weeps during construction and after completion where accessible to ensure no mortar droppings or insect nests block the drainage path.

Three common mistakes are placing weeps too far apart which allows ponding in the cavity, installing flashing without sufficient slope which prevents positive drainage, and omitting a continuous drainage plane which allows moisture migration into the structure. Correct spacing by following the twenty four inch rule or local code requirements and ensure layout includes weeps above all openings. Fix flashing slope problems by cutting or fabricating flashing to a minimum slope of one quarter inch per foot where possible and seal terminations into the water resistive barrier. Restore the drainage plane by repairing or adding an intact water resistive barrier behind the veneer and keeping insulation clear of the cavity so the weeps can perform.

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