Stucco parapet cracks
#1
Stucco parapet cracks
I have a Bay window in the top floor with stucco exterior. The roof is flat. The top of the Bay has a crown molding made by stucco which is also the parapet wall. There are multiple cracks on the top surface of the stucco parapet and water is leaking into the bedroom beneath. Initially I thought it was coming from the roof so I called a roofer for inspection. He cut a little hole on the vertical surface of the parapet wall where is still covered by the roofing membrane. He found the structure inside wet, spongy and somewhat soft. I asked him if I could cover the stucco with metal flashing. He didn't think there's enough structure beneath the stucco for him to screw or nail the flashing down. The top surface of the crown is about 2 feet deep. About 60% of it is the crown which is extended outside of the exterior wall surface. I was thinking to cover the top surface of the stucco up with some kind of waterproof coating (since no one can see it) but not sure what to use. Do I need to do something about the structure inside. If so, does it mean I need to have someone to rebuild the crown molding? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
#3
Here is a picture from the roof. I circled one of the void on the crown cap. It is hard to see but there multiple hairline cracks on the surface. The cap is about 2 feet from front to back with most of it hanging outside the building as part of the crown molding.
Here is the picture from the front:
Here is the picture from the front:
#4
Forum Topic Moderator
I'd probably clean out the crack, caulk it then when dry prime and apply a coat of elastomeric paint. Elastomeric paint is somewhat flexible and does a good job of waterproofing stucco although I don't recall having used it on a large horizontal surface.
#7
Member
i HAD A LONG REPLY but then my clumsy fingers hit something and I lost the message on this tablet. In the meantime, until I get on a desktop tell us if the cornice moulding is made of foam or is there frame construction? I have a half b aked idea but I want to know what you are dealing with.
#8
Member
Short version of half baked idea:
have a sheet metal man fabricate a parapet cap that goes over the top, and down the front and back. On the back side it should lap over the top of the existing flashing. Use long bolts or fasteners of some kind to go through the front and all the way through to catch the bottom of the cap on the back side and also the top of the existing flashing.
Now if there is some kind of frame construction to fasten to do it that way. I am guessing the parapet top and crown molding are foam and the only way to hold a metal parapet cap is to fasten it to itself. I don't know if a good strong wind would take the cap and the foam top off or not. That is the half baked part of this scheme.
have a sheet metal man fabricate a parapet cap that goes over the top, and down the front and back. On the back side it should lap over the top of the existing flashing. Use long bolts or fasteners of some kind to go through the front and all the way through to catch the bottom of the cap on the back side and also the top of the existing flashing.
Now if there is some kind of frame construction to fasten to do it that way. I am guessing the parapet top and crown molding are foam and the only way to hold a metal parapet cap is to fasten it to itself. I don't know if a good strong wind would take the cap and the foam top off or not. That is the half baked part of this scheme.