"Brick Wick"

Masonry Construction Techniques

I first noticed it on a Hopkins townhome I sold this Summer.

Then I noticed it -- in all places -- at a Costco gas station.

"It" was what looked like a piece of rope (actually, several of them) protruding from the masonry (and no, it's not really visible in the photo at right).

The explanation?

The "rope" serves as a wick that dissipates any accumulated moisture in the walls.