Defect type
Moderate · 2–3/5
Weep Holes Covered by Render, Paving, or Garden Beds
I walked the external walls and could not see weep holes at the bottom brick course - they have been rendered over, buried by paving or a concrete path, or banked up by garden beds. I record this as a conducive condition (reference AS 3660.2): no inspection zone, concealed entry paths behind brickwork, and trapped moisture against the wall. Frequently seen in Sydney North Shore and Hills District renovations where landscaping was added post-construction.
Causes
- Paving, concrete paths, or driveways poured above the damp proof course line
- Garden beds and mulch banked against external walls during landscaping
- External acrylic render applied over weep holes without weep vents reinstated
Symptoms to look for
- Weep holes visually absent at bottom brick course
- Ground, paving, or render finishes above the slab edge or DPC line
- Damp staining on internal wall linings near floor level
Remedies
- Cut back paving or soil to re-expose a 75 mm inspection zone below the weep hole course
- Reinstate weep vents where render has been applied over brickwork
- Redirect garden beds and mulch at least 150 mm clear of external walls
Moderate
Worth asking our inspector about this specifically.
This is common across Perth stock and usually fixable without drama, but the scope of the fix varies. Every SURE inspection includes 12 months of free advice. Call out the defect by name and we check for it directly.
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