DIY guideOutside walls
Check the weep holes at the bottom of the brick are open
Find the small gaps along the bottom of the brick that let water out, and clear any that are blocked without pushing anything in.
- 15 to 45 min
- 6 steps
- Every step animated
6 steps
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Look along the bottom row of brick, and over windows and doors, for small open joints or vents every few bricks.
Each should be open. Mortar, soil, mulch, paint or a nest in it means it's blocked.
Rake soil and mulch down so every hole sits well above the ground.
Hook the dirt out with a thin wire, pulling it toward you. Never push it in.
Don't caulk, paint or mortar over a weep hole. If wasps get in, fit a weep vent instead.
White or dark stains spreading on the brick, or damp walls inside: ask Handyman for a mason.
What you need
- A thin wire or a pipe cleaner
- A garden rake
- A flashlight
- Weep vents, if insects get in
Call a pro if
- White or dark stains spread across the brick
- A wall is damp or musty inside
- Bricks or mortar are crumbling or cracked
Handyman says: Stains or damp inside? I'll find a mason.
Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.
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