Parapet walls prone to damage

Exterior · Masonry · printed page 313 (PDF page 314)

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Parapet Wall – Prone to Damage Parapet – Prone to Damage

Text in the illustration

parapet walls, brick railings and other freestanding walls are far more susceptible to efflorescence and freeze/thaw damage because they are unheated and exposed to a lot of moisture
without copings or cap flashings, the potential for damage is even greater
worst
no top protection
better
cap flashing
coping
brick spalling and/or efflorescence
good detail (capillary break)

Generated explanation

The illustration compares three brick parapet wall sections: an unprotected wall top, a wall with cap flashing, and a wall with coping. The unprotected wall is marked as the worst condition and shows irregular, damaged brick edges. Cap flashing and coping are identified as better protection, with projecting edges and capillary breaks that shed water away from the masonry. Arrows identify brick spalling and/or efflorescence, while water droplets illustrate runoff at the protected wall tops. The text explains that unheated parapets, brick railings, and freestanding walls are particularly susceptible to moisture-related efflorescence and freeze/thaw damage.