Moisture Issues in Brick Veneer Houses

Potential Problems

• Brick veneer "breathes," meaning that water can seeps through them. Water can also evaporate out of it, the same way it came in: through the mortar and brick. Unfortunately, sometimes moisture goes the wrong way -- not out, but in, toward the home's wooden frame. This can cause mildew, mold, termites, wood rot and warping.

Preventative Measures

• When a brick veneer home is built, "weep holes" are installed. Weep holes are holes left in the vertical joints between bricks near the foundation of the house. These holes are meant to allow water to escape without becoming trapped on the wrong side of the veneer. Unfortunately, weep holes often get plugged with mortar during the building process, rendering them useless.

Water Repellent

• Coating your veneer with water repellent every three to 10 years (depending on the manufacturer's instructions) will help repel water from the veneer without preventing the veneer from breathing. Do not coat your veneer with a sealer -- this is not the same as repellent. Sealer will trap water in the veneer and make the problem worse.

Vents

• Vents can be installed in veneer walls after construction, allowing the water behind the walls to escape. This will address the problem of any plugged weep holes and prevent molding problems. If your brick veneer home doesn't have these vents, you may want to consider installing them for the safety and structural integrity of your home.