Patent: 2021/00048
Weepholes reinvented
What?
A weephole is an opening left in the outer skin of a cavity brick wall, typically the size of the vertical perpend (mortar joint) between bricks, to achieve the following two purposes:
-
To allow trapped moisture from within the wall cavity to drain to the building exterior;
-
To facilitate ventilation from the building exterior to the cavity void to allow evaporation of moisture and the drying out of any wet surfaces within the cavity.
Why?
Extended periods of wet and damp cavities may lead to the following:
-
Deterioration and compromise of the brick structure and all connected finishes such as the delamination of plaster renders, flaking and bubbling of paintwork,
-
The reduction of the life or performance of building materials such as cavity wall-ties, cavity insulation, etc.;
-
Mould and mildew festering in wall cavities may lead to health conditions for the building inhabitants;
Where?
-
Weepholes are installed in the outer skin and typically at the base of cavity walls, directly above the stepped damp proof course (DPC).
-
Weepholes should also be installed in the outer skin of brick walls directly above all windows and doors; where lintols and structural beams are crossing the cavity of a wall. This installation would coincide with a stepped DPC.
-
Weepholes should be a minimum of 50mm high and should be installed at regular intervals; typically at every fourth perpend but not exceeding 1000mm centres. Refer to building code: SANS 10400 Part K 2011 Edition 3 - clause 4.5.3.4
What are the challenges?
The main driving force behind reinventing the weephole is to address the growing tenancy of poorly constructed weepholes which is largely due to a lack of remaining skilled tradesmen in the building industry. Experience tells us that contractors:
-
Do not have the required experienced skilled labour to install properly formed and functional weepholes;
-
Most often can not form aesthetically acceptable weepholes, even after several attempts. On average, contractors have to redo a particular weephole two to three times per project.
Traditional weepholes are simply openings in walls formed by leaving some perpends unfilled with mortar; the result is openings that are free entry points, into the wall cavities, for insects, vermin and reptiles. nu|weep™ with its insect insert, seeks to mitigate potential pest infestation.
Patent: 2021/00048
What is the solution?
nu|weep™ is an injection molded permanent weephole former that ensures consistent weepholes that are both functionally compliant and aesthetically superior.
Installed into perpends on the outside skin of a cavity wall, the device, with its unique adjustable guide, provides for greater ease and accuracy during the installation process.
An insect insert is permanently installed to provide protection against vermin and insect infestation whilst retaining the weephole's intended functionality, namely allowing moisture to drain out and free airflow.
A removable temporary weephole closer is kept in place during the installation to prevent blockages caused by the building processes.
nu|weep™ is your total weephole solution!
Open Base
The open base design allows for nu|weep™ to be installed immediately above the DPC membrane resulting in the most efficient draining of the cavity tray as no obstruction is formed that could potentially result in water build up prior to draining to the exterior skin.
1.
Benefits
Adjustable guide
The adjustable plaster guide slides over the main body to set the depth of the nu|weep™ into the perpend between bricks which results in weepholes that are always neat, plumb, open and perfectly flush with the plastered wall face. The adjustable guide may be removed in facebrick applications to allow a slight setback from the face of the outer skin.
2.
3.
Splayed rear corner
The 25mm x 25mm splayed rear bottom edge of the main body allows free passage of water from the cavity tray to drain via the weephole irrespective of the size of masonry units used.
Pest-proof insert
A 25mm wide pest-proofing insert helps to mitigate the risk of insects, vermin and snakes from entering the cavity whilst allowing the free passage of water flow to the exterior and air movement to the interior. The insert could be replaced in the event of damage.
4.
nuweep - Installation Introduction
