In masonry, weeps are open head joints, tubes or vent inserts spaced along the course just above the through-wall flashing, commonly 16 to 24 inches apart. Windows and curtain wall have weep holes or slots in their sill frames. Weeps must stay open: sealing over them during restoration or blocking them with mortar droppings traps water inside the wall.
Painters sealed every weep in the storefront sill, now the frames are full of water. Cut them open.
Restoration crews sealing a facade should map weeps first; a bead run across them turns a drained wall into a reservoir.
Also heard as
- weep hole
- weeps
- weep vent
Related terms
Through-wall flashing
Flashing that runs from the back of a masonry cavity out through the wall face to drain water outside.
Mortar droppings
Mortar that falls into a masonry cavity during laying and piles up on the flashing, blocking drainage.
Two-stage joint
A joint with an outer rain seal and an inner air seal separated by a drained cavity.
Rainscreen
A wall design with cladding held off the WRB by a vented, drained gap so water can escape and the wall can dry.