THE GARAGE PARAPET IS ALMOST DONE. WE STILL NEED TO GRIND ON IT A LITTLE TO SMOOTH OUT THE CURVE, AND CAP IT OFF WITH CEMENT.
AS WE CONTINUE AROUND THE HOUSE WORKING ON THE PARAPET AND THE ROOF, WE INSTALL THE CANALES. I LIKE TO MAKE THE CANALES A LITTLE LONGER THAN SOME BUILDERS TO HELP KEEP THE WATER FROM SPLASHING ON THE WALLS AS IT POURS OFF THE ROOF.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PARAPETS IS TO KEEP THE WATER FROM JUST RUNNING DIRECTLY OFF THE ROOF AND ERRODING THE WALLS BELOW.
SO BASICALLY WHAT YOU ARE BUILDING IS A SWIMMING POOL ON YOUR ROOF, WITH DRAINS. HOW WELL IT ALL WORKS DEPENDS ON A NUMBER OF THINGS. THE ROOF MUST HAVE ENOUGH SLOPE. THE CODE MINIMUM OF 1/4 INCH PER FOOT ISN'T ENOUGH ON A LARGE ROOF. A SPAN OF 30 FEET WILL ONLY HAVE A SLOPE OF SEVEN AND ONE HALF INCHES. I LIKE A SLOPE IN THIS SPAN TO BE TO BE TWELVE INCHES OR MORE. AND IF THE WATER ISN'T CHANNELED TO THE CANALES, YOU BETTER HAVE AN UMBRELLA HANDY. SOONER OR LATER, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED IT.
