Parapet Wall Repairs
Parapet Walls are a common feature of many Victorian and Georgian properties in London and Newman’s are often asked what their purpose is and why has mine fallen into a state of disrepair how do I fix it?
Parapet walls came into fashion in the early 18th century when the building act of 1707 was put into place and banned the use of timber projecting eaves in London as they posed a major fire risk so it became common practice to build a brick parapet that projected above the roof giving the building a flat roof look with a slated gable behind the parapet ring.
Many have a decorative stucco concrete or render finish to them which in a lot of cases are over 100 years old so it’s of no surprise that extreme weathers they withstand and age has taken its toll and lead to their deterioration.
What does a parapet wall actually do? It is often used to show a boundary between two neighbouring properties and is often an extension from the party wall of which the roof is supported by. Many still have original cement caps which fail and allow moisture into the property.
Weather damage is often the most common cause of failure to parapet walls which affects the pointing or rendered finish due to freeze thaw cycles which then cause fractures and de-bonding to occur which poses a risk to the roof structure and anyone within the vicinity from falling concrete.
As well as falling materials it can also be the root cause of moisture ingress which can lead to timber decay in the roof structure as well as mould and damp infestation so upkeep of a parapet should be of utmost importance.
What should I do if I think my parapet wall id defective? You should contact a company like Newman’s or Twistfix and ask for advice or to arrange a survey. It’s important that you use a specialist as many people suffer from wrong advice, specification and installation and then require costly repairs from companies such as us.
Newman’s can repair parapet walls by carrying out render repairs and replacement, repointing of brick work, installing new lead flashings or coping stones etc. Often replacement of coping stones and new render combined with Twistfix’s unique Dampseal masonry façade protection cream which prevents moisture penetration can prevent and repair most defects.
If you have a parapet wall in a state of disrepair be sure to contact your local office to arrange a free survey.
Newman’s can help to diagnose structural defects, cracking and movement by arranging a free Structural Survey, contact London and the South East’s leading structural repair specialists for help, advice and peace of mind Call 0333 444 0154 or email enquiries@newmans.com
