Expert Waterproofing

Parapet Wall Leaks

Professional parapet wall waterproofing to protect your commercial building from water damage.

What Is a Parapet Wall?

A parapet wall is the low wall that extends along the edge of a roof, typically found on commercial flat roofs. It serves several purposes: safety barrier, wind protection, concealing rooftop equipment, and architectural aesthetic.

Parapet walls are particularly vulnerable to water intrusion because they intersect with the roof plane at two critical points—the top edge (coping) and the base where the wall meets the roof membrane. When these flashing details fail, water penetrates into the building envelope, causing interior damage.

Common Causes of Leaks

  • • Failed coping stone or metal cap
  • • Deteriorated base flashing
  • • Cracked or spalling masonry
  • • Ponding water at wall base
  • • Missing or damaged counterflashing
  • • Age-related deterioration

Warning Signs

  • • Water stains on interior walls
  • • Paint peeling on exterior walls
  • • Mold or musty odors
  • • Visible cracks in parapet
  • • Missing or loose coping
  • • Soft or deteriorated masonry

Types of Parapet Walls & Their Issues

Different parapet constructions have unique vulnerability points

Brick Parapets

Most common type. Prone to spalling, cracking, and mortar deterioration. Water absorbs into brick and freezes, causing expansion damage.

Concrete Parapets

Durable but can crack from structural movement. Water seeps through concrete pores and can cause rebar corrosion and spalling.

Stucco Parapets

Common on residential and retail buildings. Stucco can crack and separate from the substrate, allowing water infiltration.

Metal Panel Parapets

Found on industrial buildings. Panels can separate at seams, corrode, or become loose from wind damage.

Wood Frame Parapets

Less common but found on older buildings. Wood can rot, attract insects, and lose structural integrity from water damage.

Stone Parapets

Premium aesthetic but expensive. Stone can crack, shift, or have failing mortar joints between stones.

Our Parapet Repair & Waterproofing Solutions

1

Comprehensive Inspection

We inspect the entire parapet system—coping, flashing, masonry, waterproof coating, and roof-to-wall connections—to identify all failure points.

2

Coping Repair & Replacement

The coping (cap) is critical. We repair or replace metal coping, reset loose stones, and ensure proper water shedding away from the wall.

3

Flashing & Counterflashing

We install or repair step flashing, counterflashing, and wall flashing to create a watertight seal between the roof and parapet wall.

4

Waterproof Coating Systems

We apply elastomeric waterproof coatings to seal the parapet surface, preventing water absorption and extending the wall's lifespan.

5

Masonry Restoration

For brick and concrete parapets, we repair cracks, repoint mortar joints, and address spalling to restore structural integrity.

Protect Your Building with Expert Parapet Waterproofing

Don't let parapet leaks damage your building's interior. Our experienced team will assess the situation and provide lasting solutions.