Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 4/10/2009

Question
The ground on the side of my house is higher than that on the side of my neighbor's house. My neighbor told me that he noticed while the house was built that the rick ledge was too high. He suggests to have it fixed. Could you give me some information about the right height of the brick ledge?

Answer
Hi Jenny, if you are referring to the ledge that the brick sits on then it can be at ground level or lower.  Brick is normally held off a substrate to create a dead air space between the wall and the brick. This allows for water intrusion to slide down the cavity and exit through weep holes situated along the top of the brick ledge.  If your brick ledge is below grade too far then your weep holes will not be allowed to do their job.  Sometimes for esthetic reasons the brick ledge is below grade and the first few courses of brick are filled solid and the weep holes adjusted to a higher elevation so that they are above the surrounding grade.  Typically though, as long as your brick ledge is not visible it is at a proper elevation.  If your ledge is exposed you can grade your soil so that it covers the ledge.  At this point, to lower the ledge would be more trouble than it is worth.  I'm not sure why your neighbor is concerned.  Maybe because your lot is graded higher than theirs they want your grade changed.  I don't know but unless you want to redo your entire brick wall I would keep things as they are.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com