Gaps Between Bricks: Are They Weep Holes or Missing Mortar?
Some gaps between bricks are intentional drainage openings called weeps, not missing mortar. Before filling an opening with caulk or mortar, have its purpose identified. In a drained brick veneer wall, closing the intended outlet interferes with the route water uses to leave the wall. Appearance alone is not enough to decide what needs repair.
Why an unfinished-looking joint may belong there
The Brick Industry Association explains that brick veneer is a drainage-type wall system: water can enter the brickwork, so the assembly needs a way to direct it back outside. Its Builder Notes describe weeps above flashing, often formed as open vertical mortar joints or vents. A neat opening can therefore be a working detail rather than an oversight.
The association's Technical Note 28D describes how the cavity and flashing direct moisture outward in brick veneer over concrete masonry. That guidance concerns a particular wall assembly; do not assume every brick wall on a property has the same construction. Ask which assembly you have before applying a generic repair detail.
Make a small opening easy to evaluate
Take one close photograph and one wider view showing the opening's position on the wall. Note whether similar openings repeat nearby, whether the edges appear broken, and whether someone previously added sealant or mortar. Record these as observations, not proof that the gap is intentional or defective.
For a Middle Tennessee home or commercial building, send the photos with the property address and a short explanation of the concern. Include any available wall drawings and describe recent brick repairs. If you have also noticed indoor dampness, tell the evaluator where and when it appeared rather than assuming the visible opening caused it.
Give the repair crew a clear decision to make
Ask the proposal to distinguish joints needing mortar repair from drainage openings that must remain functional. Have the contractor explain any uncertainty before approving a blanket instruction to fill every gap. Milliken's masonry page lists brick work among its services; describe the wall and requested evaluation when discussing your project.
Do not drill new holes as a shortcut when you cannot locate weeps. The BIA Builder Notes specifically caution that drilling afterward is not a proper way to create one. The useful next step is identifying the wall's drainage arrangement, not making its face look uniformly sealed.
Frequently asked questions
Does a repeating gap prove it is a weep?
No. Repetition is useful information to photograph, but it does not establish the opening's purpose or the condition behind the brick. Ask for confirmation before filling it.
Does an open weep prove the wall drains correctly?
No. The visible outlet is only part of the system. The cavity and flashing also matter, so a photograph of the opening cannot confirm the performance of the entire wall.