[adil.hoxha]

My raised stone patio will be going over the first couple of courses of brick on my house. (I was told, too late - retaining wall already built - that this might not be the best idea...)
Someone said I might run in to problems with the spaces along the bottom course of bricks (there is a gap in the mortar every 8 bricks or so) with water getting in to the house. I don't see how (there will be gravel, sand, and pavers on top - all sloped away from the house) but was wondering if anyone had experience with this problem and whether I should put some sort of flashing or close up those gaps in the bricks? Welcome your thoughts...

Thanks.

[Lanelle]

There is a moisture issue to consider. First, those holes are weep holes to let condensation out of the house. Since you are covering up those holes, you'll need to drill new ones above your finished patio level.
Second, I'd cover the old ones so nothing goes into the holes, and consider putting waterproofing on the brick that will be below grade so that the brick doesn't take on moisture and eventually spall from the freeze/thaw cycles.

None of this is expensive to do and is fairly easy to do during the installation process. Maybe you might never 'need' these things but I guarantee that if your house gets moldy between the brick and insulation or there are other moisture related problems later, the fix is much worse than the prevention.

[adil.hoxha]

Thanks - I'll take that "preventative" advice

By waterproofing you mean some type of brick sealer?