Identifying and Resolving Common Parapet Problems in NYC Buildings

By Sujain Thomas

In New York City, you will find a variety of architectural wonders, including some heritage buildings donning the skyline. The skyscrapers and some heritage buildings stun tourists and onlookers with their amazing style and visual splendor. For building owners, maintaining the aesthetics of the structures is as important as maintaining safety and structural integrity. 

Property owners in Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, NY should prioritize checking the parapets of city buildings and repairing damages. Parapets are the protective railings and walls running along the edge of the rooftop. They are pivotal to the building’s integrity and save pedestrians from falling debris. Like other parts of the building exterior, the parapets also get worn out and damaged, requiring checkups and repairs. 

Local Law 126 parapet checkup is mandatory for property owners in NYC once a year. Overlooking this yearly checkup can lead to legal hassles and steep fines.

Common issues found during parapet checkups in NYC

Several structural problems and damages come up during the parapet inspection in NYC. Property owners must learn about these issues and how to resolve them.

• Cracks in the masonry—Parapet inspection entities often find cracks during yearly checkups. This is caused by worn-out masonry and natural elements. If left untreated, such parapet cracks lead to water seepage and mold formation, leading to the prospect of collapse. These cracks are usually repaired with sealants or epoxy injections. Sometimes, damaged parapet sections have to be rebuilt. 
  

• Missing bricks- In some old buildings, parapet inspectors find bricks missing or displaced. This can be caused by average construction and older mortar. Loose bricks can lead to pedestrian injuries. New ones replace missing or damaged bricks, and anchoring stabilizes the structure.

• Erosion—Weather elements like snow, rain, and sun can cause the parapet materials to erode over time. The prominent signs are surface discoloration, pitted bricks, and crumbling mortar. Erosion weakens the structure and speeds up water infiltration. Such issues are best resolved by applying a weather-resistant coating.

• Leaning or bulging parapets—Bulging or leaning parapets can indicate years of neglect and improper drainage, which is indicative of imminent structural failure. In such cases, steel braces are deployed to secure the parapet, and the affected part may have to be reconstructed. It is also necessary to repair the drainage issues, if any. 
  

• Missing flashing—Flashing is used to remove water from vulnerable spots. Sometimes, it is damaged or missing. This can lead to water infiltrating the parapet and slowly affecting the roofing. Damaged flashing is replaced with weather-resistant materials in such cases. 

• Others—Other parapet damages found during the inspection include coping damage, insufficient drainage systems, etc. Apt repair measures are needed to resolve these issues.

Hiring the correct entity for parapet checkup

To comply with Local Law 126, NYC property owners should hire a suitable and certified parapet inspection entity. They should assess the credibility of such service providers and interact with their staff for the best outcome. In this regard, choosing nycparapetsinspection.com cannot go wrong.

Get in touch with the experts and find out more about this process. Clear all your doubts right at the start.