Masonry Weep Rope

A newly completed masonry project in suburban chicago seems to possess more weep ropes than usual protruding from the brick wall.

Masonry weep rope.

In my opinion i think a 18 length of 3 8 cotton rope does a lot more than the tubing or those nylon weep vents. 2 5 8 h x 3 1 2 l x 1 2 thickness. Clear openings only with air weeps at the top of every wall whether it be sill height or full wall height. Rope wicks can be made from cotton sash cord.

The rope should be 10 to 12 inches long and extend through the veneer face and up into the cavity wall above the height of any possible mortar droppings. Mortar net vents help ensure that weep holes stay open and that walls always breathe drain and dry quickly and thoroughly. A 1 4 to 3 8 inch diameter rope is installed in joints at 16 inches on center. With the remainder of the weep systems spaced at 12 o c.

Weep systems in use include wicks oiled rods weep tubes open head joints and vents. Bia does not advocate one type of weep system over another. This is placed in the joints and the other end is extended up to the cavity wall. Cotton rope wicking weep holes.

The water from the back of the wall is adsorbed by the cotton and the on the other side it is evaporated. The weep hole must be sized adequately to overcome surface tension. One of the first commonly employed weep details was the sash cord or rope weep. Wicks should be spaced at 16 o c.

These weep ropes were spaced at 8 inches on center. It can be found detailed in the national concrete masonry association s single wythe details 15b. Cotton all purpose weep cord natural 100 ft 20tl84. Weeps are located at the bottom of the object to allow for drainage.

In some cases this detail was expanded with sections of the sash cord laid in the cavity and then extended through the wall usually at a head joint. In other cases the sash cord was fastened vertically up the backside of the cavity. Drainage materials used at the bottom of the cavity are most effective for open type of weep. I would agree for the most part but ropes not acceptable here by code anymore.

Mortar net weep vents are available in a choice of attractive colors to match the mortar or brick beings used eliminating open holes and dark shadows. Cotton wicks cotton wicks are used to form another type of weep system. Weeps may also be necessary in a retaining wall so water can escape from the retained earth thus lessening the hydrostatic load on the wall and. Looking for grainger approved 3 8 in dia.

A weep a weep hole or a weep brick is a small opening that allows water to drain from within an assembly.