Brick veneer ventilation?

rightit

I've closed in a garage and am about to have it bricked in using the original brick. In the image below, you can see that there is an opening in the soffit. I think this is to allow the wall to breath into the attic (i.e., weep holes at bottom, vent at top)?

At any rate, the garage doesn't have it where the G door was (and much of that area is taken up by a large window (grey flashing and rightward). I seriously doubt that the 20' south-facing wall does either (previous owner closed it in and bricked it to make a garage when it was a car port).

So, given that I won't be able to recreate the vent, how important is it that the wall space between the brick and sheathing be vented (very, I think...)? Would creating additional "weep holes" at the top near the soffit work? If not, what is the best way to handle this, short of tearing down the existing brick wall?

I live in the deep south in a hot humid climate (6-8 mos out of the year).

Thanks,
Mark

jomama45

Yes, if you can drill a few 1-1.5" holes relatively easy, maybe one or two per foot, they would certainly aid in venting off the back side of the wall. Personally, I would go through the effort myself knowing the advantages of a well vented brick wall.........

rightit

Hi jomama...thanks for your response. Seeing your answer, it occurs to me that drilling that size hole near the top of the brick wall could present other issues, i.e., driving rain (south-facing wall) or insects and mice. Is this a valid concern?

Thanks!

jomama45

Maybe I'm not understanding this correctly but a picture from farther out would certainly help. What's above that soffit area, an attic?

rightit

Yes, attic. Here's a wide shot. Arrow is in same area: