Step-by-Step Guide to Parapet Wall Repair

The parapet wall is a significant architectural component in a building that promotes utility to the rooftop and acts as a protective barrier against strong winds, dust, and erosion. These short-heighted walls extending across the edge of your building’s roof are mostly made of bricks, concrete, or stone. They also contribute to enhancing aesthetics and functionality.

Nevertheless, positioned at the topmost part of a building, a parapet wall is considerably susceptible to damage. Most often, if you reside in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, or Richmond Hill, cracks and mortar deterioration are prevalent issues. Thus, parapet repair Queens is imperative to restrict damage and enhance the safety of the occupants and property.

No matter what your building material is, the parapet wall will undergo some extent of defilement over time. So, to restore its strength, stability, and efficiency, repair is necessary. In this blog, we have provided a brief guide to parapet wall repair to help you understand the urgency of the project. Here we go.

Leading Causes of Parapet Wall Damage

Before discussing repairing brick parapet walls, let’s analyze the primary causes of damage:

• Weathering– Natural wear and tear is inevitable! It occurs with ageing when a parapet wall becomes fragile due to subsequent material loss. A masonry structure is sturdy, but it cannot overcome the harsh impact of weathering!
• Moisture– Most masonry constructions, including parapet walls, experience decay due to excessive moisture exposure. As water seeps through the gaps and holes, it impacts the underlying structure. So, dampness, molds, efflorescence, mildew, and mortar disintegration occur.
• Temperature– Extreme temperatures are responsible for cracks in the parapet walls. When expansion and contraction occur constantly, the tension leads to cracks. These cracks can be of varying size and intensity.
• Soil Movement– When the soil beneath the building’s foundation settles or moves, it causes considerable damage to the parapet wall. Cracks, missing bricks, and loosening mortar joints are commonplace. When you do not perform parapet wall crack repair, the problem escalates, threatening safety.

Parapet Wall Repair: What Happens?

Always hire a professional to repair parapet walls because it is a labor-intensive project requiring appropriate skills and expertise. So, what happens in parapet wall repair?

1. Damage Assessment– Before beginning the repair work, it is essential to assess the damage to recognize its source and severity. Without evaluating the damage, your contractor cannot provide you with the ideal solution, and hence, it will negatively affect durability and efficiency.
2. Safety Protocols– Once the assessment is complete, all the safety protocols are executed. It includes erecting scaffolding (if required), putting up a barricade near the project site, and setting up a canopy to prevent debris from falling on pedestrians and vehicles.
3. Surface Preparation– Preparing the surface before parapet wall leak repair is crucial to ensure proper bonding of materials and increase longevity. So, you must clean the cracked area by removing loose particles and debris. Accomplish a smooth, clean surface for a stable base.
4. Apply Bonding Agent– After surface preparation, widen the crack by creating a V-shaped groove using a hammer and chisel. Be careful not to harm the surrounding area. Now, apply the bonding agent to the crack and let it dry. Then, put concrete mix or other material of your choice to the crack.
5. Repoint– If you have failing mortar joints, replace them with a new mix. Fill in the gaps with a trowel and ensure the surface is smoothened out.
6. Surface Finish– Finally, for a flawless finish, apply a layer of primer. It will enhance aesthetics and promote longevity.
7. Waterproofing– No repair job is complete without waterproofing! So, use a sealant or a waterproof coat for improved water protection.

To conclude, parapet wall repair cost is much less if you do it in the early stages. As the damage aggravates, so does the expense! So, do not leave it untreated!