Why Is Water Leaking From My Brick Foundation onto the Patio?

Weep Holes

• If you are noticing leaks in your brick foundation, one of the reasons could be because there weren’t sufficient weep holes added to the foundation when it was built. Weep holes act as drainage for the wall so that rain and condensation have the chance to evaporate rather than leaking. However, if you do have weep holes, they could be plugged with insect nests or a buildup of debris over the years and need to be cleaned out to provide proper drainage.

Bad Flashing

• Flashing is an important part of brick wall constructions and all exterior foundations. Flashing forces any water to drain away from the patio and into the ground, rather than on top of areas that could be damaged. However, if the flashing wasn’t installed properly or the wrong type of flashing was used, it can create leaks where the brick foundation will actually funnel the water down the wall onto the patio rather than out and away along the edge of the flashing.

No Sealer

• Sealing is an important aspect of any brick and mortar construction. Sealers protect brick and mortar from water damage over the years, and they are designed to shed water rather than allow leaks. If you are seeing leaks on your foundation, one of the issues could be that no sealer was used in the initial construction or that the sealer has faded off and needs to be reapplied so that water is repelled rather than builds up and leaks.

Broken Pipes

• If you are seeing water leaks and the weather is dry, there could be an underlying issue, such as a broken pipe. Brick and concrete are porous, which is one of the reasons they are sealed to better repel water from the exterior. However, if there is an internal problem, such as a broken pipe inside of the walls, sometimes the only place for the water to go is out through the weep holes and cracks in the grout on the brick foundation.