Wicker Park in Chicago: Water Leakage Inspection Openings at Ceiling
PROBLEM
US-BES was awarded the project to investigate a reported water leakage through the ceiling living room space. The Wicker Park three-flat was built in the 90s in Chicago and was experiencing water leak infiltration through the ceiling along the south and east elevations. Above the living room ceiling and on the 2nd floor, there is an outdoor patio roof deck. The exterior walls are a combination of reddish brick, decorative limestone along the front, and split-face block on at the sides.
DISCOVERIES
Inspected the interior and exterior of the walls for water infiltration locations.
Created exploratory openings in the living room ceiling at the south and east sides of the home.
Discovered the roof’s underlaying oriented strand boards (OSB) of the roofing membrane was saturated with moisture.
Rainstorm water leakage was discovered entering the parapet’s limestone from the front.
VALUE
US-BES identified the source of water infiltration and determined that the water leaks were occurring from a lack of flashing details on the exterior side of the parapet wall along a decorative limestone trim that ran across the front façade from end to end. We provided the Owner with a report that included findings, repair recommendations, budget costs for the repairs, and photographs illustrating the conditions.
