Parapet walls are exposed to the elements and, as such, are subject to wind, rain, snow, ice, and dramatic temperature changes from all sides. On top of this, they are often neglected from being out of sight, and not easily accessible.
So how do you seal the top of parapet walls to be protected from the elements? Simply, build them better with good design, sufficient waterproofing, and the use of ppc aluminium coping and flashings that are able to withstand the elements better than most other alternatives.
Read on to learn more about properly sealing the top of parapet walls with Kladworx.
Jump To:
- How to Seal the Top of Parapet Walls
- What is Provided on the Top of Parapet Walls to Prevent Water?
- How Do you Fix Leaking Parapet Walls?
- Aluminium Wall Copings
How To Seal the Top of Parapet Walls
The key thing to consider when sealing the top of parapet walls is keeping moisture away from, off, and out of construction detail, and moving moisture away as quickly as possible. You’ll also need to identify the most at-risk zones and address any compromised areas before beginning.
Once you have found the moisture management risk factor, you’ll need to isolate this area from the other details surrounding it, where a water stop should be used. This helps to avoid moisture from moving upwards from construction details below that are subject to different temperature and moisture conditions, creating condensation – your structures are just at risk from external moisture.
From here, you’ll need to waterproof the top of the parapet wall, before installing wall copings, and flashings where appropriate. Learn how to install aluminium wall copings in our recent blog here.
Ideally, this will all be considered when designing the parapet wall, and during the building process, but the process also applies when fixing and leaking parapet walls, or maintaining walls for longevity.
What is Provided on the Top of Parapet Walls to Prevent Water?
Aluminium wall copings and flashings are used on the top of parapet walls to prevent water from leaking into the construction and protect against extreme weather conditions which could otherwise damage the construction.
What is Parapet Coping?
Parapet copings are designed to cover the top of a vulnerable parapet wall, protecting it from the elements. In most cases, parapet copings are provided in either stone or metal finishes, like our aluminium wall copings, and are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, widths, and colours to suit your project. Kladworx are happy to provide both standard and bespoke options with your aluminium coping.
How Do You Fix Leaking Parapet Walls?
If wall copings are not fitted correctly, it can lead to serious damage to both the parapet wall, façade, and internal structures as a result of water damage.
In most cases, to fix leaking parapet walls, the wall coping will need to be taken up to be able to address the problem. To fix leaks, you may need to first fix any structural issues, before checking that the waterproofing solution and/or membrane is intact and properly installed. When this membrane is installed incorrectly, the wall coping is the only method of protection that the parapet has.
When it comes to reinstalling the wall copings, once any structural and waterproofing issues are fixed, consider switching to aluminium wall copings. If your current wall coping is not a metal coping, we recommend switching to aluminium wall copings, unless the project requires stone for aesthetic reasons. (Please enquire about our ppc stone finishes)
Aluminium wall copings are far more durable and keep water at bay, whilst also being far lighter and easier to handle. What’s more, they are often less expensive and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to perfectly fit your project.
Aluminium wall copings are not installed with mortar and anchor bolts, therefore there is minimal chance of water getting into the structure to loosen the joins or cause the stone to crumble over time. They are also resistant to corrosion. Learn more about the benefits of switching to aluminium wall copings instead of stone copings here.
When installing aluminium wall copings, you can also consider the installation of flashings to further decrease water penetration.
Aluminium Wall Copings at Kladworx
Kladworx are expert consultants and suppliers of bespoke façade systems with over 25 years of experience. We offer a range of Alumasc aluminium wall copings and flashings in a range of shapes, sizes, widths, and colours to perfectly fit your specs, and help seal the top of your parapet walls and other projects.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your project, or to learn more about our aluminium wall copings. We also offer a survey and installation service within the London and Kent areas, making your life a little easier with the knowledge that everything will be selected and installed correctly, minimising the chance of leaks.
