Weep hole screen

Abstract

A weep hole screen and method for installing the same in the exterior wall of a masonry building in order to prevent small animals such as insects and rodents from entering the building through the weep hole. A weep hole screen in accordance with the present invention preferably comprises a rectangular mesh screen with an angle bracket attached to each end. The weep hole screen is sized such that the angle brackets sandwich the bricks that form the weep hole, preferably on the interior faces of the bricks. The interfaces between the weep hole screen and the bricks are preferably sealed with mortar or-another suitable sealant. The weep hole screen may be installed easily during original construction of the wall without the need for any mechanical fasteners.

1 . A brick wall comprising:
 a multiplicity of bricks including at least a pair of bricks of a first course, the pair of bricks adjacent to one another and defining a weep hole therebetween, each of the bricks having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of side walls, the weep hole adjacent the pair of side walls of the adjacent bricks of the pair of bricks; and   a weep hole screen having an upper and a lower angled brackets spaced apart by a screen portion defining at least in part a multiplicity of openings, the angled bracket having flanged portions dimensioned to engage a portion of the top and bottom walls of adjacent bricks to lay in generally flush relationship thereto, the weep hole screen further dimensioned such that at least a portion of the screen portion lays between the rear walls of the pair of bricks adjacent the weep hole.   
   
   
       2 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the screen portion is rigid and integral with the angled brackets, and wherein the angled brackets are connected by a pair of spaced apart vertical member portions dimensioned to at least partially lay flush and adjacent to the rear walls of the pair of adjacent bricks. 
   
   
       3 . The brick wall of  claim 2 , wherein the screen portion includes a multiplicity of holes. 
   
   
       4 . The brick wall of  claim 2 , wherein the screen portion includes a multiplicity of louvered openings. 
   
   
       5 . The brick wall of  claim 4 , wherein the louvers are semi-circular in shape. 
   
   
       6 . The brick wall of  claim 5 , wherein the louvers are elongated in shape. 
   
   
       7 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the weep hole screen includes a pair of vertical member portions spaced apart and a flexible screen member and defining an inner opening in which the flexible screen member is mounted. 
   
   
       8 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the weep hole screen is frameless. 
   
   
       9 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the inner faces of the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide. 
   
   
       10 . The brick wall of  claim 9 , wherein at least the angled brackets of the weep hole screen is made from a material with a thickness of about 1/32 inch. 
   
   
       11 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the screen portion is rigid and integral with the angled brackets, and wherein the angled brackets are connected by a pair of spaced apart vertical member portions dimensioned to at least partially lay flush and adjacent to the rear walls of the pair of adjacent bricks, and wherein the inner faces of the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide. 
   
   
       12 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the weep hole screen includes a pair of vertical member portions spaced apart and defining an inner opening in which the screen is mounted, and wherein the inner faces of the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion if about ⅜ to ½ inch wide. 
   
   
       13 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the screen portion includes a multiplicity of louvered openings, and wherein the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide. 
   
   
       14 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the screen portion includes a multiplicity of holes, and wherein the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide. 
   
   
       15 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the screen portion is rigid and integral wit the angled brackets, and wherein the angled brackets are connected by a pair of spaced apart vertical member portions dimensioned to at least partially lay flush and adjacent to the rear walls of the pair of adjacent bricks, and wherein the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide, and wherein the weep hole screen is made of galvanized, painted or powder coated steel. 
   
   
       16 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the weep hole screen includes a pair of vertical member portions spaced apart and defining an inner opening in which the screen is mounted, and wherein the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide, and wherein the weep hole screen is made of galvanized, painted or powder coated steel. 
   
   
       17 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the screen portion includes a multiplicity of louvered openings, and wherein the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide, and wherein the weep hole screen is made of galvanized, painted or powder coated steel. 
   
   
       18 . The brick wall of  claim 1 , wherein the screen portion includes a multiplicity of holes, and wherein the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide, and wherein the weep hole screen is made of galvanized, painted or powder coated steel. 
   
   
       19 . A brick wall comprising:
 a multiplicity of bricks including at least a pair of bricks of a first course, the pair of bricks adjacent to one another and defining a weep hole therebetween, each of the bricks having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a view wall, and a pair of side walls, the weep hole adjacent the pair of side walls of the adjacent bricks; and   a weep hole screen having an upper and a lower angled brackets spaced apart by a screen portion defining at least in part a multiplicity of openings, the angled bracket having flanged portions to engage a portion of the top and bottom walls of adjacent bricks to lay in flush relationship thereto, the weep hole screen further dimensioned such that at least a portion of the screen portion lays between the rear walls of the bricks adjacent the weep hole, wherein the size of the openings are between 1/32 inch and ⅛ inch.   
   
   
       20 . The brick wall of  claim 19 , wherein the openings are louvered or holes.