Why parapets need attention
The top of a parapet faces the sky like a roof but is often finished like a wall. Sun, frost and rain crack it. Water that gets in at the top can travel down inside the wall.
Warning signs
- Cracks along the top
- Loose or hollow-sounding stucco
- White crust (efflorescence) on walls
- Stains under canales
- Bubbling paint high on inside walls
Mud plaster and true adobe
Some older Corrales homes have mud-plastered parapets. Mud plaster is meant to be renewed periodically and needs to breathe. Sealing it with the wrong product can trap moisture. We'll discuss options suited to your walls.
Sealing parapets
- Clean loose material from the cap and inside face
- Fill cracks with a compatible patch
- Reinforce corners with fabric and coating
- Coat the roof-side face and cap where appropriate
Metal caps
For parapets that keep cracking, a metal coping cap can be a lasting solution.
Call (505) 448-8513 to have your parapets checked.
Common questions
How often should parapets be checked?
Every spring is a good habit.
Do you re-mud adobe?
We seal the roof side. Traditional mud plastering is a specialty trade.