Can you tell me what to use to "seal" the weep holes on my house?
Asked by
JLeslie (
65795
)
October 29th, 2009
This is the first time I have lived in a house that has weep holes. I have to say it is shocking to me that large holes are around my house for mice, snakes, and insects to crawl into. From what I understand there is a building code that the houose must have weep holes, but no code that they have to be sealed in a way that will let the moisture out, but not let everything else in. I bought some screening material made from aluminum, but in the larger weep holes it just falls through into the wall. What can I use to hold the screening in place? I am open to any ideas you might have to help the situation.
Also, on one side of my house the holes are at ground level. We had a crazy storm several months ago and water cames into the rooms. I think since the land there was not graded well and it was basically a flash flood type situation, water poured into the weep holes. I want to put some sort of waterproof seal at the bottom of the weep hole, close it up at least an inch in that one area. What should I use? I already regraded and laid down pebbles to help drainage.
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9 Answers
Could you find an old screen (sometimes you can buy it on the roll by the sqft) and cut it to size? Cut it a bit bigger and use removeable caulk to adhere it to the hole perhaps.
Ask at a home improvement store. Mine are made out of plastic mesh and attached to a frame that fits inside the rectangle hole.
@YARNLADY that is interesting, the square frame. This state/city/county whatever has the rules for building is so ridiculous.
@JLeslie, I’ve never heard of weep holes. That would totally creep me out. I have a fear of scurrying critters.
Screen or mesh works well (if you can get it to stay on firmly). Also consider jamming some steel wool inside as an extra measure. Squirrels and rats do not attempt to chew through steel wool. The addition of a moth ball or two inside the weep hole will also deter snakes and many other insects as well. Do not go overboard with the moth balls because the smell can be overwhelming.
@Nitroshine I thought about steel wool, but I thought it would get rusty?
@JLeslie Mice hate steel wool, and I wouldn’t worry about it getting too rusty. How big are these holes?
@jeffgoldblumsprivatefacilities why wouldn;t I worry about it getting rusty? I think of the steel wool we use to wash dishes (is that really steel wool, or do we just call it that?) and it is rusty and gross fast. Some of these holes are in very visible places. The holes are rectangular as mentioned above, some are wider than others. So maybe a 1.5 centemeters wide at the most and 6 centemeters tall? Just estimating. Basically it is leaving the mortar out vertically between two bricks.
@JLeslie Steel wool works best, is cheapest, and is easiest to stuff in those holes.
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