Why parapets leak
A parapet is a short wall that rises above the roof line. Its top — the cap — takes sun and weather every day. Stucco caps crack, and water that gets into the crack runs down inside the wall and shows up as a stain far from the roof. The inside corner where the roof meets the wall is the other weak point: the house and roof move differently, and the joint splits.
Why canales fail
- They loosen and tip back toward the house
- The seal where they pass through the wall breaks down
- Leaves, dirt and nests clog them, so water ponds behind
- They rust through or come apart at the seams
- They're too small for monsoon downpours
What we do
- Inspect caps, corners and every canale
- Repair or rebuild cracked caps; add metal coping where it makes sense
- Rebuild the roof-to-wall corner with foam and fabric-reinforced coating
- Reset or replace canales so they slope out, sealed into the wall
- Carry the coating up the parapet so the joint is protected
Coping or stucco caps?
Metal coping covers the top of the wall and sheds water better than stucco, especially on parapets that crack often. Stucco caps keep the traditional look. Many owners use coping where problems repeat and keep stucco elsewhere. We'll show you the options at the estimate.
Do it with the recoat
Parapet and canale work pairs naturally with a recoat: the corners get rebuilt, then the new coat runs up the wall and ties everything together.
Call (505) 886-8732 to have your parapets and canales checked.
Common questions
Can you match my stucco color?
We repair the cap and can coordinate stucco color matching, though aged stucco rarely matches perfectly.
Should canales be replaced or just resealed?
If they're solid and sloped right, reseal. If they're rusted, too small or tilted back, replace.
Do canales need cleaning?
Yes — check them each spring and before monsoon season.