We Fix Wet Buildings

Our Holistic Approach to fixing Chicago's wet buildings

We examine the whole building and consider how each repair may effect the performance of other building components and systems. We understand that all buildings consist of multiple complex, interdependent systems.


A Domino Effect –

Masonry wall absorbs rain, that migrates into the flat roof system.

Condensation naturally forms under flat roof membranes where it is attached to the masonry parapet wall.

The roofing materials, including trusses or TJIs (commonly embedded in wet masonry wall) absorb the migrating rain and condensation.

The water causes roofing materials to rot, leading to trusses failure.

Mold generated by rotting materials leads to respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions.


Scroll down to see Chicago Asthma Map from IL Dept of Health...


Another systemic failure example –

If a upper story balcony deck is also the roof of a lower story room (very common in 3-8 unit buildings) and the sill of the balcony door sits directly on the deck/roof...

Rain and snow melt may enter under the sill and leak into the room below, as well as soak the baseboards and flooring on the same level.

Add in an under-sized scupper on the balcony or a poorly pitched roof

And the downstairs neighbors are bound to have leaks.... 


We treat each building like a doctor would treat a patient. We won't recommend fixing a broken leg, but ignore a broken arm. We will provide a comprehensive plan to address the health of your whole building, prioritizing repairs that must be done immediately and those that can safely wait without causing additional damages.

Condensation dripping into brick-block parapet wall

Perfectly flashed parapet wall - naturally occurring condensation drips off self-adhered flashing on parapet wall into the wall cavity, moisture could not escape until we installed WickRight Parapet Vent® – Lakeview, Chicago, IL

WickRight President Bob Kelly working on parapet wall
Bob Kelly, President / Owner

Master Craftsman at work...

Common projects include:

Building Evaluation

• Leak Diagnosis and Consulting

• Structural Engineering Services

• Building Enclosure Services

• Design & Installation of Specialty Flashings

• Repair/rework transitions between buildings materials

• Installation of WickRight Parapet Vents

• Installation of WickRight Flat Roof Vent

• Moisture Intrusion Repair

• Parapet Wall Repair

• Window Repair

• Door Repair

• Balcony Repair

• Stucco Repair and Dryvit Repair

Truss Reinforcement

• Truss Replacement

Structural Masonry Repair

365 Construction Tent™ Installation

• Custom 365 Construction Tent™ Design

Split Face Block Repair

• Masonry Maintenance (Tuckpointing)

• Spot Grind & Repoint Masonry

• Seal Masonry with ChemTrete or Prosoco

• Seal Masonry with Elastomeric Coatings

Flat Roof Repair

• Flat Roof Replacement

• Flat Roof Pitch Repair/Rework

• Scupper Repair

• Gutter and Downspout Repair

• Center Drain Repair

• Pitch Pan Repair

Chicago neighborhood map with red pins indicating WickRight installation and shading indicating asthma cases

The red pins on the map show WickRight Passive Ventilation installations as of 2020, the shading is based on a 2016 report by Illinois Department of Health indicating prevalence of reported asthma in Chicago neighborhoods.

You Are Not Alone.
There are thousands of wet buildings in Chicago.

11 years ago, Bob was assessing wet buildings 2-3 times a month. Now repairing wet buildings is the focus of our business. Chicago, and other urban centers that experienced a building boom between 1990-2016, have thousands of wet buildings. Many of these buildings have severe moisture damage and mold growth, and need immediate repair. This type of construction continues today, but is less prevalent.


The construction conditions that led to these issues was caused by combining old and new materials, like split face block, with traditional building techniques (and some unskilled labor) and of course, cost-cutting and corner-cutting (also known as "value engineering").


Specifically, much of this moisture intrusion is caused by improperly installed or non-existent flashing details and inadequate ventilation and/or improperly installed or eroded masonry sealant.


We have evaluated over 400 wet buildings in Chicagoland and installed WickRight parapet vents and flat roof vents on more than 150 buildings in Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Tampa. All of the buildings with WickRight Parapet Vent and Flat Roof Vent installed are now dry.


WickRight is here to help.

Our core team and all of our sub-contractors have decades of experience and will treat your building as their own.


We will help you make the most of your budget.

We understand that everyone has a budget. We will plan your project so that the most crucial repairs are made immediately. Then we will work together to determine which repairs can be safely delayed until reserves have been replenished.

Wet split face block building in Ukranian Village, Chicago IL

Wet Split Face Block wall, metal coping leg is too short to protect the wall from wind driven rain. Transition from parapet wall to roof top building was poorly designed allowing rain to enter. Building also needs to be sealed. Ukranian Village, Chicago, IL

We fix it right, the first time.

Many of our customers have had roof repairs, even roof replacements performed, only to have the same leaks occur. We take the time to find the REAL leak sources. Then we plan projects so that the work is properly sequenced, this minimizes backtracking and maximizes the amount of work that gets done each day, which in turn, saves you money.


Our Stay Until It's Done Policy.

We aren't the fastest contractor out there, but we are the most thorough. We also aren't the cheapest option, but we are a good value – and the old adage "you get what you pay for" definitely applies to contractors and wet building repairs.


Most of the buildings we fix have multiple system failures. As we fix one issue, we discover another. It's the nature of the work. That said, we keep our schedule fluid to accommodate discoveries. We never cut and run like fly by night contractors might do, leaving a building owner wondering if their project will ever be finished.

Concrete block building with dark gray elastomeric coating show water frozen in block cores, Little Village, Chicago, IL

Concrete block wall with inadequately applied elastomeric coating, among other issues, shows frost on wet grouted block core. Little Village, Chicago, IL

Great Google Review to share...

Bob and the WickRight team were AMAZING! I initially started my roofing repair journey for my condo a couple years ago. Initially, we bid it out to several contractors w/ WickRight being in the mix. However, our condo board ended up choosing the cheapest contractor. That was a HUGE MISTAKE! ...


The roofing contractor we went with ended up walking off the job after a couple weeks leaving the job unfinished and not in the best of shape...all while storms were in the forecast. I reached out to Bob and WickRight and b/c of the urgency, he re-worked his schedule and had folks onsite the next day to make the necessary repairs to prevent any storm damage.


Because of the seasonal timing and needing to secure additional funds, we had to wait almost another year to finish the rest of the roof that needed to be replaced. When we re-engaged with WickRight, they were very communicative throughout the process and upfront about there being potential unseen damages that could raise the initial estimates. We were not only happy with WickRight's innovative product, we were also elated with their installation of the product and the overall roof replacement and repairs. I cannot say enough good things about WickRight!


– Ed Neerose, Wrigleyville, Chicago, IL

Frost under self-adhered flashing on brick-block parapet wall Lakeview, Chicago.

Frost under properly installed self-adhered flashing on parapet wall shows naturally occurring condensation was unable to escape until we installed WickRight Parapet Vent. Lincoln Park, Chicago IL

We understand that having workers at your building is stressful.

Discovering that your building has serious, possibly dangerous conditions, is unnerving. We can't promise that your building won't present surprises along the way, but we can promise to keep you informed of any new discoveries, overages, delays or new sub-contractors.


All our sub-contractors are well-trained, knowledgeable, courteous and trustworthy.

Our sub-contractors receive hands-on training by Bob Kelly. In addition to being masters in their respective trades, they also have general construction, sheet metal, masonry, roofing and carpentry knowledge, and understand WickRight installation and building science.