Common Moisture Intrusion Points
in Masonry Buildings

Unstable balconies in Chicago's Near North neighborhoods

Leaking ledger board connections under balconies in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood above and Little Village neighborhood below

Leaking rooftop service door in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood

Leaking sliding glass door in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood

Service doors and sliding glass doors onto balconies and rooftop decks are common leak points, especially if the rooftop deck extends all the way to the door.

Unfortunately, rooftop decks are often built without regard to the height of the door curb, threshold or sill. If there isn't enough space between the deck and the doorway, rain water and snow melt enter the building.

In addition, the roof membrane may not be installed properly to prevent leaking under the sill stone.

The masonry openings around windows leak for many reasons including the header above the window and the sill underneath the window not being flashed properly.



More information on what causes window leaks to come...

Leaking "Limestone" surrounds window in Lincoln Park

Leaking brick "soldier" window header in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood

Rusting steel in window opening in Uptown, Chicago