Common Issues Found During NYC Parapet Inspections and How to Fix Them
NYC is home to a few architectural wonders including beautiful heritage buildings that adorn the skyline. The sleek structures of these skyscrapers and some heritage buildings awe tourists and onlookers with their brilliant architectural style and visual treat. Owners feel just as much pride in maintaining the grandeur of their buildings as they do in maintaining safety and structural soundness.
Depending on the location, from Bronx, Manhattan, Queens to Brooklyn or Staten Island, the city owners must wear the parapets of city buildings on their minds and must have them repaired if any damage is observed. Parapets are protective railings, walls, and other architectural features along the edge of rooftops. They help raise the building's profile while protecting pedestrians from falling debris. Naturally, in the course of time and exposure, these parapets get battered and damaged just like any other building surface and require repairs.
Local Law 126 parapet, property owners in NYC have to get a parapet check each year. It is not hard to imagine the legal troubles and hefty fines which can ensue if you overlook this annual inspection.
Most common parapet issues discovered in NYC during an inspection
Every now and then, structural problems and damages are encountered during a parapet inspection in NYC. Property owners need to be aware of such problems and how they can be resolved.
Cracks in the Masonry - Parapet inspection bodies commonly find cracks during their annual checks. Aged masonry and natural elements cause these. If unattended, parapet cracks allow seepage of water and formation of mold; eventually, this initiates the possibility of collapse. These cracks are treated mostly with sealants or epoxy injection. Sometimes, in the most severely affected cases, a section of the parapet may have to be replaced.
Missing Bricks- Sometimes, an inspector of a parapet finds missing bricks or displaced bricks in older buildings. This is due to average construction and older mortar. Loose bricks can become hazardous to pedestrians. Missing or damaged bricks are replaced; then, anchoring is done to stabilize the structure.
Erosion -Winter, summer, and rains wreak havoc on the materials of the parapet. Surface discoloration and pitted bricks and mortar are the obvious signs of the issues. Since erosion weakens the structure and facilitates water entry, applying a weather-resistant coating is the best way to deal with it.
Leaning or bulging parapets—Leaning or bulging parapets can indicate years of neglect and improper drainage which foreshadow structural failure. Steel braces are often erected to hold the parapet in such cases, and the offending section may have to be rebuilt. Also, the drainage problems have to be repaired if at all any exist.
Missing flashing -Used in diverting water away from vulnerable points, sometimes flashing gets damaged, or worse still, it is missing altogether. This would result in water finding its way through the parapet and slowly endangering the roofing. When damaged, flashing is replaced with weather-resistant material.
Others - Other damages during the inspection of the parapets include coping damage, insufficient drainage systems, etc. Appropriate repair measures must be taken to restore them.
Selecting the proper entity for a parapet examination
In adherence to Local Law 126, NYC property owners must engage a parapet inspection entity that is properly certified. They must assess the competence of such service providers and interact with their personnel for the best possible result. Choosing nycparapetsinspection.com will bear neither risk nor wrong in that regard.
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