The parapet problem
A parapet is the short wall that rises above a flat roof. The top of that wall faces the sky just like the roof does, but it's often covered by stucco instead of roof coating. Stucco cracks. Once water gets into the top of a parapet, it can run down inside the wall and show up as a stain far from the roof — or as bubbling stucco on the outside of the house.
The inside corner, where the roof surface turns up the wall, is the other weak point. The house expands and contracts every day, and that joint takes the movement.
What we do
- Inspect the cap and both faces of the parapet for cracks and loose stucco
- Clean and repair cracks; fill gaps at the cap
- Embed reinforcing fabric in coating at corners and cracks
- Carry the roof coating up the wall and over the cap where appropriate
- Check that canales are clear, pitched outward and sealed where they pass through
Canales
Canales are the open spouts that carry water through the parapet and off the roof. In Rio Rancho, they clog with blown sand, tumbleweed pieces and roof debris. A blocked canale turns a roof into a shallow pool. Cracked canales let water into the wall. We clean, reseal or replace them, and we can add a short extension so water clears the stucco.
Metal caps
Some homeowners prefer metal coping on top of the parapet. It's a durable option on walls that keep cracking. Ask about it at your estimate.
Seeing stucco stains under a canale or bubbling paint high on an inside wall? Call (505) 448-1467.
Common questions
Do you repair stucco too?
We repair the tops and inside faces of parapets as part of sealing the roof. Full exterior stucco work is a separate trade.
How often should canales be cleaned?
Look at them every spring after wind season and before the summer storms.
Can a leaking parapet damage the wall?
Yes. Water inside a wall can soften plaster, rot framing and cause stucco to separate if it's left alone.