Weep holes, downpipes and ground falls on resale homes
Three small things that decide whether a brick veneer home stays dry, and what to look for at an open inspection.
In short: Most resale findings in brick veneer homes come back to how water is managed outside.
Weep holes
Weep holes let water drain out of the wall cavity. They get filled in, buried by garden beds or covered by paving. Each one should be open and well above the ground.
Downpipes
A downpipe spilling onto the ground puts water right at the footings. Each should connect to the stormwater system.
Ground falls
Ground and paving should fall away from the house. Where they fall toward it, water collects at the wall.
Why this matters on clay
Reactive clay changes volume with moisture. Uneven wetting around a slab is a common cause of cracking.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Wyndham Vale. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
