Brick veneer and landscaping

[iamwiz82]

We just moved into a new construction and are in the initial phases of planning our landscaping. One idea was to build a retaining wall with a flower garden against one corner of the house that has a streep drop off in grade. It drops approximately 30" in 12' from the porch over to the corner of the house. This area all has a brick veneer with weep holes at the bottom run of bricks.

I know it's bad to cover these up and it's also not wise to push soil up against the veneer, so what other alternatives are there? Behind the brick in this area is poured concrete for the basement walls. The poured concrete has a ledge with a 6" limestone starter row and then the brick on top of that.

Is it best to forgo the landscape that ever to the level above the limestone? Can I water proof that area of the brick and proceed? Build a french drain at the level of the weep holes?

I have some landscaping firms coming out to quote me on the jobs, but I figured I would educate myself a bit first.

 

[Subyman]

They'd recommend doing some sort of water management against the house. You are right, you don't want to pile loose soil against the veneer. They'd likely do a gravel layer against the house and a membrane over that then start the soil. Shouldn't be a big issue for them IMO.