Putting on a Brick Exterior

Construct brick siding without risking moisture damage.
Brick Wall Detail

TS-AB004767_brick-wall_s4x3

Brick Wall Detail

Photo by: Photodisc

Photodisc

A brick exterior adds value and beauty to a new house, but it can also bring some unexpected problems. Brick is thought of as being extremely weatherproof, so it's often used as the exterior finish for high-end homes. However, brick is porous, and it absorbs moisture. This can lead to structural damage and mold growth.

Builders typically do not include a drainage plane or weep holes to drain and ventilate, so any moisture that gets behind the brick is not able to get out easily. Is there a way to have the look of brick without the risk of moisture damage?

With a few minor changes to the way we lay brick, it is possible to drain away water and create enough ventilation to dry out the wall assembly. The "best practice" for brick siding is to include a drainage plane on the outside wall assembly, a channel for the water to exit through, and holes for ventilation.

How to do it:

  • Cover the exterior walls with a water-resistant house wrap or building paper to create the drainage plane. Begin at the bottom of the wall and work your way up, overlapping as you go. Use contractor's tape on all of the seams, creating a continuous waterproof plane.
  • Next, begin laying the brick in the traditional manner, leaving a 1-inch space between the bricks and the house.
  • Under this same course of brick, install the through-wall flashing. (This is simply a piece of "l" shaped membrane flashing.) Make sure the tall side of the flashing is at least 8 inches high and lapped at least 4 inches underneath the house wrap. Then, take the shorter side of the "l" and embed it in the mortar just below the weep holes. Run this flashing the entire length of the course of brick.
  • The first set of weep holes should be in either the first or second course of brick. A weep hole is simply an open joint in the mortar every fourth brick in the course of the wall. Use a shim to keep the weep hole from filling with mortar.
  • As the brick laying continues, place a 1" x 6" piece of corrugated metal every 16" vertically and horizontally to keep the brick face from falling away from the house. Then nail one side to the framing, and embed the other side in the mortar.
  • When you get near the roof, add weep holes to the first or second course down from the top. Again, the holes should be every fourth brick; but here, use plastic weep vents instead of the through-wall flashing since these weep holes are for ventilation.
  • Finally, seal the gap between the top of the brick and the adjoining wall so no air can leak into the attic through this cavity. Use a pressure treated piece of 2 by 4 or rigid foam board and seal it with caulk.

Adding a drainage plane and putting weep holes and through-wall flashing in the brick is the best practice. It prevents moisture problems while still maintaining the high-end look of brick siding.

Next Up

How to Properly Paint Your Home's Exterior

Give your house a fresh, updated look with exterior paint.

How to Replace a Window

When it's time to replace an outdated, inefficient window, it can be hard to know where to start, so we’ve got everything you need to know to get the job done.

How to Create a Butterfly Garden

Learn how to add a butterfly garden to your yard and make it a destination for these beauties.

How to Design a Container Garden

Follow this simple design concept and boost the impact of your container gardens with plants of various sizes, textures and color combinations.

Make a Planter Box With Nail Head Trim

Create stylish planters, complete with bolt head trim, to flank and define your front door.

Make a DIY Stock Tank Pool

This stock tank pool how-to will have you lounging in the summer sun in just one weekend — and for a lot less cash than you'd expect.

How to Stain a Wooden Deck

Enhance and protect your outdoor design by learning how to stain a deck with these simple steps using deck stain.

Make a Tie-Dye Shower Curtain

It only takes 24 hours to brighten up a basic bathroom.

How to Install a Kitchen Tile Backsplash

Learn how easy it is to install a kitchen tile backsplash with these step-by-step instructions.

An Easy Backsplash Made With Vinyl Tile

For a kitchen backsplash idea with style and a low price tag, consider vinyl tile. This project shows you how to create a backsplash design out of vinyl tiles.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.