"I've had a few projects where veneer walls seemed more prone to moisture issues behind the surface, even with proper flashing and drainage."
Yeah, I've noticed something similar. Did a lakefront build a couple years back, and we went with brick veneer to save on weight and cost. Even though we were meticulous about flashing and drainage, we still ended up chasing moisture issues after heavy rains. Meanwhile, another project nearby with solid brick walls seemed to handle the same conditions without a hitch. Could just be luck or coincidence, but it definitely made me reconsider veneer in wetter climates...
Yeah, I've noticed something similar.
I've run into similar issues myself. A few years ago, I renovated an older home and opted for brick veneer to match the existing style without adding too much structural load. Even though we followed best practices for drainage and flashing, moisture still found its way behind the veneer after prolonged rainy spells. It wasn't catastrophic, but definitely frustrating. Makes me wonder if veneer just inherently struggles more with moisture management compared to solid brick...
I've dealt with this exact headache before, and honestly, brick veneer can be a bit finicky when it comes to moisture. Solid brick walls naturally absorb and release moisture more evenly because they're thicker and have more mass to handle it. Veneer, on the other hand, relies heavily on perfect drainage and flashing systems—any tiny flaw or oversight can lead to those sneaky leaks.
One thing I've found helpful is double-checking the weep holes and making sure they're clear and properly spaced. Sometimes mortar droppings or debris can clog them during installation, causing water to back up behind the veneer. Also, using a breathable house wrap behind the veneer can make a noticeable difference in moisture management.
Still, even with all these precautions, veneer just seems more prone to these little annoyances than solid brick. It's not a deal-breaker by any means—just something to keep an eye on. And hey, at least veneer doesn't weigh a ton or cost an arm and a leg like solid brick does... trade-offs, right?
Good points about veneer, especially the weep holes—I've definitely had to clear out mortar chunks before. Still, I think veneer gets a bit of an unfair rap sometimes. If it's installed carefully, with proper flashing and drainage, it holds up pretty well. I've seen older veneer houses doing just fine decades later... but maybe luck plays a role too. Curious if anyone's tried alternative solutions like rainscreen systems behind veneer to help manage moisture better?
I've actually seen rainscreen systems used behind brick veneer on a couple of recent projects, and the results were pretty promising. One development I worked on had persistent moisture issues with traditional veneer installs, so we tried a rainscreen approach—basically creating an air gap behind the veneer to let moisture drain and dry out. It added some upfront cost and complexity, but honestly, it seemed worth it. Haven't had callbacks about moisture since... knock on wood.
