Parapet Repair & Rebuilding

Brick by Brick

Parapet Repair & Rebuilding

Brick by Brick

What is a Chicago Parapet Wall?

A parapet wall serves multiple purposes; including roof structure protection, adding stability to the masonry structure, often featuring beautiful designs or cornices, and protecting against roof falls. These wall sections are located at the very top of a building, making them susceptible to deterioration due to exposure to the elements. Because of this, it is crucial to ensure they receive regular maintenance and inspection.

When it comes to the structural integrity of a building, the parapet wall plays a vital role. It is an upward extension of the wall that sits atop the roofline, serving as a barrier to protect the building from wind and other elements.

Because they are located at the top of the building and may be difficult to see or access, many building owners, administrators, and property managers may not realize that their parapet walls are in need of service. Signs that a parapet wall may require attention include shifted capstones, loose coping tiles, brick and mortar debris on the ground, and water damage along the top-floor ceilings. It’s important to be aware of these warning signs and address any issues as soon as they are noticed to prevent further deterioration.

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Before

After

Signs That Your Parapet Wall is Damaged – Repair vs. Rebuild

When it comes to repairing and rebuilding a parapet wall in Chicago, the decision ultimately depends on the extent of the damage. A repair is typically needed for minor issues such as cracking or small holes, while a rebuild may be necessary for severe damage or structural issues. Repairs are less extensive and less costly than a rebuild and can be completed in a shorter amount of time. On the other hand, a rebuild will involve completely removing the existing wall and constructing a new one, which can take several weeks to complete and is more expensive.

In addition, air pollution and acidic rain can also contribute to the deterioration of brick buildings in Chicago. Over time, this can cause the bricks to lose their strength and stability, which can make them more vulnerable to further damage.

To keep Your masonry building in good condition, it’s important to understand the factors that contribute to its deterioration and to undertake regular brick restoration and repair as needed. This will help to keep the building looking its best and ensure that it remains structurally sound for years to come.

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Before

After

Signs That Your Parapet Wall is Damaged – Repair vs. Rebuild

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Parapet Wall Repairs Are Focused On
3 Major Aspects

Structure:

Masonry parapet walls, with their exposed top and vertical surfaces, are particularly susceptible to deterioration due to temperature changes, rain, and snow. Common issues that arise include cracking sections of brick and mortar, spalling bricks, efflorescence, displaced bricks, buckling, and shifting. These problems can be mitigated through preventive maintenance and repairs.

Coping:

The top of a masonry parapet wall is typically finished with a coping or cap, which can be made from materials such as limestone, precast concrete, clay tile/clay coping, terra-cotta, or metal. It is important to use a coping material with thermal properties similar to the masonry parapet wall material to extend the lifespan of the wall and minimize maintenance requirements. In Chicago, metal copings may not be suitable due to potential water seepage through joints caused by thermal expansion. Additionally, all copings must have adequate pitch and overhang to ensure proper water drainage and prevent staining.

Flashing:

To prevent moisture and water penetration through the joints in the coping section, a continuous through-wall flashing membrane must be installed within the mortar bed immediately beneath the coping. Additionally, proper roof to parapet wall flashing is crucial in preventing deterioration of the parapet wall and interior water damage. When joining different materials on the exterior, it is important to take their thermal properties into account to prevent problems caused by contraction and expansion.

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Parapet Wall Repairs Are Focused On
3 Major Aspects

Structure:

Coping:

Flashing:

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More To Know

Benefits of Repairing or Rebuilding Your Parapet Wall

Repairing or rebuilding a Chicago parapet wall is essential for maintaining the structural integrity and aesthetic of a building. A well-maintained parapet wall not only protects the roof and building from weather and other exterior elements, but also adds to the overall aesthetic of the building. The benefits of repairing or rebuilding a Chicago parapet wall include:

Protection of the roof and building from water infiltration and other weather-related damage
Preservation of the structural integrity of the building
Maintaining the aesthetic of the building, particularly in older buildings where the use of Chicago brick is typical

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The Process

Copings are removed
Existing roof flashing is removed/cut off
Interior wythe/wythes of the parapet wall are dismantled to the roofline
Face brick is dismantled to the sound level
Interior wythe rebuilding is done using cleaned existing bricks in good condition, all deteriorated bricks are replaced with reclaimed Chicago Common Brick. Cleaned Face brick is reused in the rebuilding process of exterior wythe, all deteriorated bricks are replaced with new matching ones
Copings Cleaned and reinstalled over the new parapet wall and new flashings, damaged copings are replaced
New roof flashing is installed once the parapet wall is rebuilt
Clean up and final inspection

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How Much Does it Cost to Repair or Rebuild Parapet Wall?

Considering the importance and scale of these projects in general, the cost can be a concern for many building owners.

Parapet wall repairs in Chicago typically range from $2,000 to $7,500, depending on the extent of the damage and the materials used. Minor repairs will be on the lower end of this range. More extensive repairs, such as replacing some of the bricks or repointing a section of the wall, will be on the higher end. Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and the cost can vary depending on the specifics of the project.

The price of a parapet wall rebuild in Chicago can vary extremely, therefore the examples below will provide an idea of pricing depending on size differences and complexity. A complete rebuild involves removing the existing wall section and building a new one, which can take up to several weeks to complete. The cost of a rebuild will also depend on whether the new wall will be an exact replica of the original or if changes will be made to the design or materials. Remember that a rebuild is a significant investment but will provide a long-term solution for protecting the building and maintaining its aesthetic.

To give You a better understanding of parapet wall repairs/rebuilds and pricing please refer to the examples below. These examples may have been completed within the last couple of years and are provided using current pricing and estimates rather than what they may have cost in the past. This is done to give You the best and most accurate idea possible.

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More To Know

Benefits of Repairing or Rebuilding Your Parapet Wall

Protection of the roof and building from water infiltration and other weather-related damage
Preservation of the structural integrity of the building
Maintaining the aesthetic of the building, particularly in older buildings where the use of Chicago brick is typical

Read More Read Less

The Process

Copings are removed
Existing roof flashing is removed/cut off
Interior wythe/wythes of the parapet wall are dismantled to the roofline
Face brick is dismantled to the sound level
Interior wythe rebuilding is done using cleaned existing bricks in good condition, all deteriorated bricks are replaced with reclaimed Chicago Common Brick. Cleaned Face brick is reused in the rebuilding process of exterior wythe, all deteriorated bricks are replaced with new matching ones
Copings Cleaned and reinstalled over the new parapet wall and new flashings, damaged copings are replaced
New roof flashing is installed once the parapet wall is rebuilt
Clean up and final inspection

Read More Read Less

How Much Does it Cost to Repair or Rebuild Parapet Wall?

Considering the importance and scale of these projects in general, the cost can be a concern for many building owners.

Read More Read Less

Your Journey Starts Here

Explore Our Collaborative Process

Join hands with Jagra Masonry
for Your next project

Your Journey Starts Here

Explore Our Collaborative Process

Join hands with Jagra Masonry
for Your next project.

What Set’s Us Apart

Where Professionalism Meets
Personalized Service

What Set’s Us Apart

Where Professionalism Meets
Personalized Service

Premium Service

At Jagra Masonry, we pride ourselves on providing premium service. Our dedicated workers are committed to delivering consistent, high-quality work to our valued customers. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we strive to exceed Your expectations with every project.

Communication

When You choose Jagra Masonry, our dedication to quality ensures clear communication and transparent services, keeping You informed and at ease. We aim for outstanding results, always prioritizing Your satisfaction and keeping You well-informed throughout the process.

Fast Response Time

You can trust our service team to respond promptly to Your inquiries, ensuring Your needs are addressed quickly and effectively. We prioritize Your satisfaction and are committed to providing attentive support tailored to Your requirements.

Testimonials

Experience The Difference” Hear from
Satisfied Chicago Homeowners

Testimonials

Experience The Difference” Hear from
Satisfied Chicago Homeowners

Jagra Masonry & Tuckpointing

4.9

Based on 88 reviews

review us on

Alex Pratt

21:25 25 Oct 24

Highly recommend. Jakub at Jagra was communicative and flexible for our project. The team was very professional, cleaned up everything when the job was done.

lynn shotwell

22:18 24 Oct 24

From the bidding to the finish Jagra was awesome! VERY professional, superb quality work and terrific communication. I would not hesitate to hire them . 100% satisfied customer. You know? You can get mediocre, or you can hire Jagra. They are the best!

Bill s

16:33 24 Oct 24

Dealing with Jagra Masonry and Tuckpointing was absolutely a pleasure. Jacob came out gave me a great price. I know seemingly difficult job and they made it look easy cleaned up after themselves and did a wonderful job with the color in the mortar and fixing my big stone columns at my house at my house.Would absolutely give this company five stars Jacob is a great person to work with and the job was phenomenal at a great price! Thanks, you guys, Bill Stevens

Julie Adams

16:15 23 Oct 24

Jagra’s Masonry did extensive work on our 84-year-old, double brick home. Jacob responds promptly to all inquiries. Their pricing is fair and transparent, and their workers are respectful and tidy. We needed the work done in a narrow time frame and they completed our project on time and within budget. We would definitely use this company again.

Stacy Kelly

18:57 16 Oct 24

Great process all around. Good prices, quality work done on time. Couldn’t be happier!

Bill Bixby

17:10 16 Oct 24

Jagra gave me a fair quote. Started and finished chimney work in one day. Very pleased with the look of the chimney. Very good work. I highly recommend Jagra.

1535wayne

16:42 16 Oct 24

Perfect experience. Communicate with precision. Always punctual work completed as specified. A wonderful experience in contracting and highest quality service

Pedro Pajares

16:55 16 Sep 24

The best quality Masonry work. They were contracted to do work on an older health facility and they knocked it out of the park! We will definitely be using them for all of our future masonry needs.

Andri Mile

02:46 05 Sep 24

Andrew Coates

14:23 29 Aug 24

Jagra gave us a thoughtful and thorough plan to remedy a badly deteriorated wall that was allowing water penetration. They worked incredibly hard and did a great job in difficult, hot weather while being respectful of the neighbor's property as well. Couldn't be more pleased and we will look to them for future work as well

Elizabeth Del Castillo

01:51 16 Aug 24

Very quick and professional. Great communication and reliable. I would definitely recommend this company. I will be using for all future brick work. Thanks for the fantastic work! Look at the before and after

Liz

18:07 12 Jul 24

Very profession and polite. Showed up on time for both the quoting of the job and doing the tuck pointing on the house. Great communication. Cleaned up after. Very happy with their worker.

David Komie

12:52 10 Jul 24

Jagra Masonry was an excellent choice for my tuck-pointing needs. They came out and gave a thorough estimate, and then were in frequent and close communication both before and after the job. They followed through on every aspect of the task, did the job in a professional, efficient way. I was thoroughly satisfied with the result.

Jean Johnson

16:08 09 Jul 24

Jagra Masonary completed the job at my home with professionalism. They worked diligently and with expertise. The job was completed on time. They cleaned up and left the site tidy. I'm completely satisfied with the work done!!!!

Bradley Gottloeb

23:23 02 Jul 24

Used Jagra to do some repair work on tuck pointing. They were the most responsive to my initial inquiry, the fastest to be able to schedule a time to come out and estimate, and their estimate was the most organized. It was easy to schedule the job once we agreed on the estimate and their work is great. We’ll be hiring them to tuck point our entire wall when it’s time. Highly recommend.

barbara coughlin

20:58 29 Jun 24

The chimney on our 1960 house had some crumbling bricks caused by water damage. Jacob gave us a quote to rebuild it and set up a date. On the scheduled date they arrived, set up all their equipment and got to work, cleaning up the area and causing no damage to our vegetable garden below. The mortar dried and today they returned to paint it ... good as new. Jacob communicated with us every step of the way. Great service + good workmanship. Very happy customers.

Joel Tabang

22:44 21 Jun 24

The work was done very well, and in a timely manner. Our inquiries were also answered very quickly.

Anastasia Belozertseva

17:02 21 Jun 24

We had a great experience with Jagra Masonry and would hands down use them again! We had an urgent repair involving rebuilding an CMU wall, and fixing a large crack in our garage, and we are so happy we moved forward with Jagra Masonry. Given the urgency, Jacob was able to come out and provide us with an estimate within a day or two of our first conversation. We received a few estimates, and Jagra’s was one of the most detailed one, outlining the full scope of work, and all the necessary information I needed for insurance purposes. I had a number of follow-up questions regarding the technique and materials used, and they were always very patient and gracious with me, explaining the process and answering all of my questions. We were able to schedule the project within the timeframe I was hoping for, and the crew was on time, professional, and respectful. They also went above and beyond for us in helping to pick out a garage utility door replacement, and arranging its pickup, even thought it’s not their area of expertise. We are very happy with the outcome and would highly recommend considering it for your next masonry project!

Chesly Manly

23:03 19 Jun 24

After receiving five bids, we selected Jagra Masonry to rebuild and waterproof two parapet walls and replace several lintels on an apartment building and we couldn't be more satisfied with the result. They provided a detailed estimate outlining exactly what work would be done. They were able to start the job quickly and complete the work promptly and neatly. The rebuilt parapet walls are now waterproof and the masons were able to clean and reuse much of the existing brick so you can hardly tell where the work was done. We would highly recommend Jagra Masonry for any parapet wall repair.

patrick koman

10:45 20 May 24

Not an inexpensive company to use. Not flawless either. The brickwork i had dine was impressive. The concrete work was very nice as well...but that crew made a few bad decisions. That said, after some chats, Jagra came back and made things right. I am now very happy with the job. They have helped me keep my 100+ year old house looking like it could go another hubdred.

Bill Canning

16:25 07 May 24

Jacob from Jagra tuckpointing was very quick to reply to me from setting up the estimate to completing the project. I am very happy with the work completed and his crew did a great job cleaning up also. I am very happy with their work and would recommend Jagra tuckpointing.

Laura Mantzoros

15:05 06 May 24

Jacob and his team were great to work with. Professional, responsive, detailed and thorough, efficient. They answered all of our questions and did a great job on repairing our 2004 8-unit condo building.

Robert Ballmaier

16:41 03 May 24

Working with JAGRA was an amazing experience. Jacob was prompt, professional and a great communicator. His crew repaired the chimney on my roof in one day. I can’t recommend hiring JAGRA enough.

Johnathan McDowell

20:31 25 Apr 24

JAGRA handled tuck-pointing for our 100+ year house. Their team of experts helped restore our bricks and clean up a project that had gone unchecked for far too long. They were quick, reliable and helped educate us along the way. Would recommend and will be using them again in the future.

Michael Yohanan

17:58 23 Apr 24

Thank you Jakub and Jagra crew for full 4 story historic brick building and garage restoration done in 3 weeks. We also did several lintel replacements. Jakub was super responsive to all questions and had the most comprehensive proposal compared to the 5 other companies I got bids from. They were the only company that immediately offered to use the correct mortar type for 1920s brick and the crew got a compliment from my neighbor for keeping the area so clean. Not the cheapest but also not the most expensive.

Trevor Wurtzebach

16:37 22 Apr 24

They did a great job for our tuckpoint project. Great overall experience from initial quote, scheduling the work, and final product.

Joe McMullen

16:02 22 Apr 24

Expert, efficient, professional, and exceptionally reasonable. I cannot recommend more highly.

Mickey G

00:17 28 Mar 24

Jagra Masonary & Tuckpointing CorpFrom the 1st call, you will know they are experienced and they will get the job done right.They provide an initial consultation,followed by a detailed proposal for recommended services and cost.(Lol....pictures are included for visual learners like myself)They are flexible with scheduling and manage all things needed to complete the job without any problems eg., permits.The customer service is OUTSTANDING, they communicate the job status and any new concerns or needed changes.The mason workers are VERY skilled, they set up 2 days before the start date, so that day one is productive.They quickly identify any problems so they can be addressed immediately.My neighbors even commented on the fact that the job site was neat and never dirty at the end of the day.My building required layers of work : (tuckpointing, replacement of lintels, flashingsystems, weep tubes plus a rebuild of a parapet wall), and ALL the work was completed on time as promised.I am so greatful...I paid attention to the work Jagra completed on another building in my neighborhood and I stopped and asked Jakub#1 for a card.Thank you Jakub#1 and Jacob#2 for answering ALL of my questions.Jagra Corp has exceeded my expectations.When doing my research, none of the other masonry contractors had 4 or 5 star reviews like Jagra...and now I know why.However, my review is 5 Stars plus+!Will be in touch..for my next project..CMG

Nefertiti Fulks

15:02 14 Mar 24

This review is long overdue! The work JAGRA Corp performed on my home years was amazing and still looks good til’ this day. I’ve vetted so many masonry professionals and decided JAGRA will be my best choice. They rebuild my chimney that was much needed. I’m not utilizing anyone else services for masonry work. Will be using them again for tuckpointing.

Joe Abella

01:25 25 Feb 24

They did the outside and inside of my 125 year old masonry foundation and I was happy with the results.

Anthony Winburn

23:24 14 Nov 23

Great service and great professionalism. I had a problem that I was discovered on the roof and wanted it taken care of before the snow. The service exceeded my expectations.

Jonathan McCaslin

17:46 13 Nov 23

Jakub and his team were very professional and helpful and have done the work requested to a very high standard. Will definitely use them again.

Felicia Hollie

20:34 10 Nov 23

I got stamped concrete for my front yard. This company is very professional. They answered all of my questions and responded in a timely manner. The communication was great. Satisfied with finished product.

Michael Alexander

22:27 07 Nov 23

Our 1920s Condo building was in need of masonry work due to water penetration. Jakub at Jagra was extremely helpful in guiding us through our options and working with our timeline because of the approval needed. In the end we got a parapet wall rebuild that looks great and kept the original look of the building. They do amazing work and feel confident that we made the right decision with Jagra after going through multiple bids. Thank you!

april lillstrom

18:54 30 Oct 23

We actually got 5 quotes from different companies for tuck pointing on our two flat (because it was a pretty big expense for us, and wanted to make sure we understood what work needed done) and we're really happy that we ended up going with Jagra. Jacob and Jacob are very responsive and easy to communicate with, and great about thoroughly answering questions. They checked with us at several points during the project to give us updates and ensure our satisfaction, and the team did a great job. I would recommend Jagra to anyone!

Stephen Shirk

19:20 17 Aug 23

Jagra Corp just completed a large brick replacement and tuck point project at my work/studio building in West Town It's an old flat roof brick bunker built in 1890 and modified for various uses over the coarse of its life. The goal of my project was to make the building solid and sound. Do to the mismatch of brick used over the years, beautification would take a backseat. Jacob was prompt with communication, providing clear explantations and estimates. They were able to start the project a few days earlier than originally planned and finish ahead of schedule as well. The foreman and crew were friendly and did great work. They cleaned up the building and surrounding area when the project was done. Even though I explained that this wasn't a beautification project, the building looks better than ever expected and now it is good to go for years to come. Thank you, Jacob! I will be calling you again for other masonry projects.

Julie Zeng

02:28 16 Jul 23

The stubborn leak we have had for many years was finally fixed thanks to Jagra. This is a very experienced team with in-depth construction knowledge. They are capable of solving more complex issues such as replacing beams above window and door openings. I first saw Jagra’s work on Instagram and decided to reach out. The owner personally came to my house to do initial valuation. It turned out that our water intrusion was caused by structural problems around the window and door openings. He gave us a reasonable quote and was able to fit us in within a couple of weeks. The crew showed up on time and did proper protection around the house before beginning the work. The bricks were first carefully taken out, an old rusty beam above the window opening was replaced, and old waterproof flashings were replaced. The crew was able to preserve and reuse the original bricks. They also did a great job cleaning up afterwards. We have had several large storms following the repair and no leaks! We are very happy with the quality of the service and the result. Great team to work with.

emma kaplan

22:01 20 Jun 23

Jacob and Jacob of Jagra Masonry did a fabulous job on our home. Jagra tuck pointed the front of our home, replaced two failed window lintels, and made spot repairs on the rest of the exterior. They were very patient with our multitude of questions, and explained what should be done in the near and long term (very helpful if you’re a new homeowner and are trying to prioritize!) The masons worked quickly and neatly to complete the job. We would absolutely recommend them.

Stefany Roman

18:05 14 Apr 23

I found Jagra Masonry on Instagram. I am so glad I did! I needed to redo the tuckpointing on my two flat rental property. I constantly found mortar on the floor and pieces of brick on the sidewalk. I knew it was time for maintenance. I contacted them to get a quote. Jakub was very professional walked me through the entire process of what the job was going to entail. He also made a couple of recommendations of redoing the front parapet wall because it was caving in due to years of deterioration. He also saw I was missing bricks towards the roof. Everything that we talked about in our initial walk through meeting was completed and exceeded my expectation. The workers were very clean after each work day. That's very important for me to keep my tenants and neighbors happy. They started and completed the job as on the promised date. I appreciate that Jakub followed up with me the day after the job was completed to make sure I was happy with their work. I will be using them in the near future for my other properties. Jagra Masonry did an exceptional job and I highly recommend!

More Services

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Grinding & Tuckpointing

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Brick Restoration & Repair

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Chimney Repair & Rebuilding

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Lintel Replacement

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