Those occasional open vertical joints are easy to mistake for unfinished work. On a brick-veneer wall, some are deliberate drainage openings. They should not become planting pockets, caulk joints or a convenient place to pack mortar.

Find the drainage line before setting a patio height

Walk the wall and photograph the lowest visible openings, including those above windows or other interruptions. Identify the top of soil and paving beside them. A new patio drawing should show this relationship in section, not just show an attractive rectangle from above.

Brick Industry Association: brick veneer and concrete masonry walls describes weeps and flashing as parts of the drainage system behind brick veneer. It also explains that obstructions in that space can impair drainage. Its US dimensional rules are not Ontario requirements, so use the wall design and local requirements for actual alterations.

Water must have a continuous route

  1. Behind the veneer

    Water reaches the drainage space behind the outer brick.

  2. At flashing

    The concealed detail directs it toward an outlet.

  3. Through a weep

    The opening remains clear above the finished landscape.

Do not cure a blocked outlet with a new hole

A drill hole through a convenient mortar joint does not establish that there is working flashing behind it. Probing deeply can disturb concealed materials. Have a mason identify the construction and condition if openings seem absent or blocked.

Surface mulch can often be moved as part of routine garden maintenance, but a major grade correction needs a drainage plan. Do not create a moat beside the foundation. Siding clearance above landscaping presents the same planning conflict on an adjoining clad wall.

Include weeps in the maintenance walk

After gardening or paving work, compare the wall with the before photographs. Keep plant growth and stored items from hiding the openings. If insects are a concern, ask for a compatible weep accessory that preserves the drainage function; do not fill the hole with a general-purpose foam.

Repeated dampness, mortar deterioration or brick faces breaking away warrants a masonry assessment. Clearing the visible opening does not establish that the concealed wall is dry. When joints need repair, matching the mortar matters too.