Parapet Wall & Flashing Repair in Wausau, WI
On many older commercial buildings, the roof isn't what leaks; the wall is. A parapet is the short wall that rises above the roof at the edge of the building, and it is exposed on both sides and on top to every rain, snow and freeze. Water gets into it through cracked coping joints, open mortar, missing counterflashing and porous brick, then runs down inside the wall and comes out under the roof flashing as if the roof were leaking. Patching the membrane doesn't stop it. We trace water at the wall, reset or replace copings with proper joints and cleats, install counterflashing and through-wall details, and re-flash the base of the wall, coordinating with a mason when the brickwork itself needs tuckpointing.
What's included
- Base flashings at parapet and adjoining walls
- Coping caps reset or replaced, joints sealed
- Metal counterflashing and reglets
- Membrane wrapped over the top of the parapet where appropriate
- Cracked or open mortar at the roof line identified
- Coordination with masons for tuckpointing
- Wall-to-roof transitions at higher adjoining buildings
- Scuppers through parapets rebuilt
- Photo report of wall and roof conditions
Sound like your roof?
Not sure what is wrong or what it should cost? If any of these sound familiar, tell us about the roof. We'll tell you what it probably is, then confirm it on the roof and give you a written price before any work starts.
- Leaks along an outside wall that the roof patch didn't stop
- Cracked or open joints in the coping on top of the wall
- Stained, spalling or efflorescing brick near the roof
- Flashing pulling away from the wall
- Ice forming in the wall face in winter
Leaking right now? Protect the inside first
Move inventory, files and electronics away from the drip, shut off power to any light fixture or panel that is getting wet, and put down buckets or plastic. Keep people out from under a ceiling that is sagging with water above it. Don't send staff onto the roof during a storm, in the dark, or when it is icy or snow-covered. Low-slope roofs have skylights, open edges and slick membranes. Then request service: an active leak can usually be dried in temporarily until a permanent repair is possible.
From the first call to a dry roof
Tell Us About the Roof
The building, the roof type if you know it, and what is happening: an active leak, a stain, ponding water, storm damage, or a roof that is just getting old. Active leaks go to the front of the line.
Roof Assessment
We walk the roof, trace the problem, check the drains and flashings, and take core samples or moisture readings where the insulation might be wet.
Written Options and Price
You get a written scope and price. When more than one approach makes sense, repair, coating and replacement are laid out side by side with what each one buys you.
Work Done and Documented
The work is done to the manufacturer's specification, and you get a photo report and any warranty paperwork for your files.
You may also need
Commercial Roof Repair
Leak tracing and repair on every common low-slope system, including EPDM, TPO, PVC, modified bitumen, built-up and metal, with photos of what failed and a written price before work starts.
Learn moreLeak Detection & Moisture Surveys
Finding where water actually gets into the roof, and how much wet insulation it has left behind, using visual tracing, moisture meters, core cuts and infrared scans.
Learn moreTar & Gravel (Built-Up) Roofs
Repair and replacement for built-up tar-and-gravel roofs on older schools, churches, plants and downtown buildings, including blister repair, flashings and moisture checks.
Learn moreParapet & Flashing Repair — FAQs
Water gets into the top or face of the wall, through coping joints, mortar or porous brick, and runs down inside it, coming out below the roof flashing. The repair has to stop the water at the wall.
We handle the roofing, coping and flashing side and coordinate with a mason for tuckpointing or brick repair when the wall itself needs it.
On many parapets, wrapping the membrane up and over the wall under a new coping is a good long-term detail. It depends on the wall’s height and construction.