Why do I need weep holes?

Weep holes serve two important purposes.

1. Ventilation of the internal wall cavity - Without ventilation, mildew, dry rot and damp reduce the life of the internal wall studs and other building materials within the cavity. Inadequate ventilation is the main cause of "Leaky Building Syndrome".

2. Drainage - Water that enters the cavity due to capillary action, condensation, damage, or accidental flooding needs to escape somewhere. In tropical and sub-tropical areas of Australia it is not unusual to see water flowing from the weep holes on the prevailing side of well constructed houses after a 'gully raker' or monsoonal storm.

What weep hole spacing do I need?

The NCC 2019 Building Code of Australia - Volume Two - Clause 3.3.5.9 (see Bushfire Compliance in Detail) spells out basic requirements such as size, spacing and location of weep holes for drainage and ventilation in the construction of masonry buildings.

However, your architect or building designer will specify weep holes according to the needs of your particular project. We recommend that when designing for damper climates and air-conditioned buildings closer spacings should be used. This gives greater airflow to dry cavities.

My weep holes have been blocked. Does this matter?

Yes. Without weep holes your home is at risk of Leaky Building Syndrome. You should get professional advice without delay.

Do Weepas impede air flow?

To answer simply, No. Independent testing by Dr Daniel James at Griffith University showed that Weepas cause "no significant restriction of the airflow under typical, normal and extreme operating conditions". 

Be sure to remove the mortar guards after installation. We've witnessed a number of building where the mortar guard has not been removed after the job is complete. This is likely to restrict airflow.

My house is already built. Can I retrofit my weep holes to exclude vermin and for bushfire compliance with AS3959:2018?

If you have already built without one of our Weephole formers it is possible to use one of the products below. Both come with a simple tool for installation and comply with NCC:2019 for ventilation ensuring adequate airflow to the cavity.  Be aware that there are other retrofit guards and materials on the market which essentially block the weep hole exposing creating the risk of Leaky Building Syndrome.

1. The patented Protector Weep Hole Screen can be inserted into an existing weep hole for vermin exclusion and bushfire protection. It complies with AS3959:2018 for all Bushfire Attack Levels and excludes a wide range of pests.  

2. The patented Termite Protector Weep Hole Screen (available mid 2019) can be inserted into an existing weep hole to deter entry by termites via weepholes.  Infused with bifenthrin, it is designed to be replaced every two years for ongoing protection.

Do you have a product to deter termites coming in through weepholes?

Yes, we're so proud to have launched the new Termite Protector Weep Hole Screen. This little beauty is a patented retrofit device, infused with bifenthrin, designed to deter entry by termites via weepholes for two years, while complying with NCC:2019 for ventilation.

The Termite Protector is the outcome of many years research and development.  It's been prompted by a constant stream of enquiries into the Weepa office mainly about whether the High Performance Bushfire Weepa, with it's fine stainless steel mesh with aperture of 0.415, could exclude termites.

Our answer has always been that no weep hole cover or guard, plastic or metal, can protect your house against termites as there are inevitably tiny cracks in the mortar around the bricks which are large enough for these determined creatures. It's always been a concern to us that there are other products and materials on the market promoted as termite barriers for weep holes sometimes made entirely of plastic, which is a favourite food of many termites. 

So, the new Termite Protector Weep Hole Screen is ground breaking.  However, we'll always recommend that you also continue to use the usual termite prevention procedures, get regular professional inspections and keep vegetable matter and timber away from brick walls so the weep holes are not bridged.

Can rain blow into my house through weep holes in windy weather causing damp and moisture problems?

No, as long as the flashing in your wall has been properly installed this is not possible. The only exception is where a poorly designed pathway, concrete slab or garden has been constructed next to the wall. In this case storm water can dam up above the level of the flashing and flow in through the weep holes.

There are many possible causes for damp and moisture problems in walls including:

  1. Poorly installed waterproofing and flashing.
  2. Faulty roof installation or corrosion.
  3. Faulty plumbing.
  4. Unintended conduits from the outer skin to the interior such as incorrectly installed brick ties or incorrectly drained air conditioning units. 

Under no circumstances should you block the weep holes as whatever the problem is this will make it worse, possibly much worse. You can also find information about independent research on whether extreme weather can cause rain to blow into weep holes and up through the wall cavity.

How does the High Performance Bushfire Weepa meet bushfire compliance to AS3959:2018 (BAL-LOW, BAL-A12.5 an BAL-A19) when some of its components are made of plastic?

Fine stainless steel mesh screens the weep hole 15mm inside the cavity. The secret is the plastic grate that you see at the front of the High Performance Bushfire Weepa. Under extreme heat attack it resists melting and chars like burnt toast. This fixes the stainless steel mesh screen in place protecting the cavity against ember attack.  The High Performance Bushfire Weepa has been tested in accordance with AS1530.8.1:2018 to meet these standards. More detail.

How do I remove Termite Protector Weep Hole Screens?

1. Grab a tool. Pointy nose pliers work best. If you do not have these, try a household object like tweezers, a BBQ skewer or a pen.

Point Nose Pliers

2. Pinch the Termite Protector's fringe with the pliers.

Termite Protector Weep Hole Screen removal
 3. Pull the Termite Protector Weep Hole Screen out of the weep hole. 

Termite Protector Weep Hole Screen removal

4. All done! Move on to the next. 

What if my weep holes are too short or too narrow?

Click on the link to check out our helpful guide on installing Protector Weep Hole Screens in existing weep holes that are too short or too narrow: 

Protector Weep Hole Screen Troubleshooting Guide