rebuilding parapet wall

We have water leaking during hard rainstorms coming in through the exterior of our parapet wall at the back of our brownstone.  The brick is original and has been repointed numerous times.  Anyone have thoughts about whether it is necessary/preferrable to do a deep repair by re-building the wall rather than just repointing again? Also, are there other useful options?  Any recommendations for contractors who would do this work (on the Upper West Side of Manhattan)? Thanks.

UWS

in Exteriors 13 years and 6 months ago

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anonymous | 13 years and 6 months ago

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two posible things mantioned above coping sote joins craked or roof edges where meet parapets may open somwhere.if there is matel flushing inside botom of the parapets may need re cauck.before going for major work you may call at least 3 contractors and any engeneer to confirm the problem and than take an action to solve it.You may call M.Hamid Construction Co.718-633-1500 to get an estimate.

Raj | 13 years and 6 months ago

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give us a call for a free estimates at 212-470-3952\. we done so many job in upper west side, what you asking. thhanks.

chris123 | 13 years and 6 months ago

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You can call HNS Construction @917 412 3900, they are excellent with brick work.

m926bk | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Are there any cracks in the parapet?  If not, and you’ve repointed recently, it seems like you have a pretty solid wall.  The problem could be the cap stones (as noted above) or where the roof flashes into the parapet.  Agree to get opinions from multiple contractors or involve an engineer or architect.

ltodorov | 13 years and 6 months ago

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What about the joints between buildings? The one between mine and my neighbor has a small (say, 1/4″ gap that looks like it could be letting water in. Do people caulk or mortar these joints?

stevecym | 13 years and 6 months ago

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I have gone through rebuilding parapit walls on a large commercial building and am now having issues with some loose bricks on part of my own house.  Here is what I think about bricks that have been repointed several times:  sometime in the past they should have been repointed much sooner than they had been and water probably got inside and, if in the winter, it froze and loosened some bricks.  Once that happen, the wall became somewhat unstable and the bricks continue to move a little here and there.  Not wanting to rebuild the wall, the former owner(s) pointed the brick wall and hid the real problem – sort of like someone taking an aspirin to hide a brain tumor.  Eventually the bricks shift around and the pointing falls out or the aspirin wears off; we know the story. (FYI: it is not just the mortar joints in the brick which cause the problem.  If you have capstones, the joints between them must be maintained or water will get in through the top).  Have a pro look at it.  I am not saying a contractor as if the contractor is slow, he may tell you the only solution is a tear down and rebuild.  Maybe call an engineer or get the opinions of three contractors.  The guy we use to rebuild our  walls is long out of business which is too bad as he did good work. Steve