Do Cracked Clay Coping Seams (Roof edge caps) Put My Chicago Roof at Risk for Leaks?

When it comes to protecting your building from Chicago's brutal weather, the small details matter most. That's exactly what one of our recent projects proved. At Anchor Point Roofing — your go-to roofing company and the best roofing company in Chicago — we recently completed a full-perimeter clay coping seam sealing project, and we're excited to walk you through what we did, why it matters, and how it keeps water out of your building for years to come.

What Is Clay Coping — and Why Should You Care?
If you look at the very top edge of a flat-roofed building, you'll often see a row of cap-like tiles running along the perimeter walls. Those are called coping tiles, and on many classic Chicago buildings, they're made of clay. Their job is simple but critical: they act like a helmet for your walls, shedding rainwater and snowmelt away so it doesn't seep down into the brick and masonry below.
Here's the catch — coping tiles don't run in one solid piece. They're installed in sections, which means there are seams (joints) between every tile. Over time, those seams take a beating from sun, rain, ice, and Chicago's famous freeze-thaw cycles. When the seams crack or open up, water sneaks in. And once water gets behind your coping, it can lead to:

In short: small gaps today can become big headaches tomorrow.

We provided and applied coal tar (or a comparable high-performance sealant) to all the joints and seams on the clay coping tiles. Coal tar has been trusted in the roofing world for generations because it's incredibly water-resistant, flexible, and durable — exactly what you want standing between Chicago weather and your building.
Think of it like caulking your bathtub, but industrial-strength and built to survive rooftop conditions year after year.

There's a reason property owners across the city call us the best roofing company in Chicago. At Anchor Point Roofing, we combine old-school craftsmanship with modern materials and a customer-first attitude. Whether it's a full roof replacement or detailed work like clay coping seam sealing, we treat every project — big or small — with the same level of care.
Anchor Point Roofing — Quality work. Honest service. Roofs done right.