Are You Looking after the Parapet Walls in Your Roofing Properly?

Whether it’s your chimney, tiles or even your fascias and soffits, encountering issues with your roof can be stressful. However, there are plenty of ways to prevent major problems occurring, including regular inspections and tackling visible damage as soon as you spot it. For those with parapet roofing, this is particularly important, ensuring these walls don’t become a danger.

What Is Parapet Roofing?

A ‘parapet wall’ is a structure which runs down to the edge of a roofline, usually made from bricks or coping stone. They’re frequently seen in both Georgian and Victorian properties and can be installed for a number of reasons. This includes acting as a safety barrier at the edge of the roof if you can access this area, a decorative feature or protecting roofing materials from the elements (including fire protection, according to the history books). They may also mark the boundary between two properties and can be an extension of other supporting features. Parapet walls may prolong the life of your roofing by stopping strong winds from lifting the edge of the roof. However, as they’re subjected to harsh weather conditions themselves, they must be well-maintained to stop them becoming vulnerable to leaks and structural issues.

How to Know if Your Parapet Walls Need Repairing

Spotting the signs that your parapet walls need repairing is something homeowners need to be aware of, correcting any minor problems before they become more serious. But what should you be looking out for?

Lack of Coverings

While parapet walls are exposed to the elements, you can enhance their weatherproofing. Many of the walls still have the original cement caps which may start to allow rain and moisture into the property. Solutions include the installation of materials such as lead flashings or felt coverings, providing the walls with an extra layer to shield them from damage.

Rendering

Low temperatures can cause problems in the roof if there are any cracks or holes in the parapet walls. As water expands when it freezes, this can worsen any fractures, causing issues to the bonding which is integral to the roofing structure. If you notice any concrete has fallen from your roof, this needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. To prolong the life of a parapet roofing wall, high quality rendering can be applied to help maintain its structure and safety.

Moisture

Other signs you need work completed to your roofing include damp, mould or water ingress which you may spot in your attic or from outside your home. This may also affect your parapet walls, so contact a roofing specialist to carry out a full inspection and ensure any parapet roofing remains watertight.

If you need an experienced roofer to inspect your roof or carry out repairs to your parapet walls, the team at Collier Roofing is here to help, offering tailored services for parapet wall repairs. We cover a wide area of the South East, including Surrey, London, Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Middlesex. Get in touch today to tell us about your roofing concerns.