Water and brick veneer on Berwick resale homes
Where water leaves the house, and where it ends up instead.
In short: Most water problems on Berwick brick homes start outside: gaps, joints and pipes discharging against the walls.
Windows not sealed to brick
Gaps between windows and brickwork let wind-driven rain into the cavity.
Articulation joints
Joints meant to let the brickwork move should run through openings. One we recorded stopped at a window.
Discharge against the walls
Hot water relief lines and air conditioner condensate draining beside the walls keep the footing wet.
Downpipes and grading
Unsealed downpipe joints and ground falling towards the house add to it.
Why it matters on clay
Wet clay moves. Keeping water away from the footings is one of the cheapest forms of protection.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Berwick. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
