What is Parging?
Parging is the coating applied to the visible (above-grade) portion of your home’s foundation walls. It is applied to both poured-concrete and concrete-block foundations to hide surface imperfections and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home. More importantly…parging acts as a barrier against inclement weather. Keep in mind… parging is not waterproofing and should not be thought of as the ultimate barrier but it plays a part in your home’s waterproofing team.
Over time the Parge coat on your masonry wall can start to crumble and become unsightly, or worse – it can be the source of drafts and an entrance way for bugs and other unwanted critters. Keeping on top of the maintenance of your Parge coat is another way of avoiding bigger more costly repairs down the road, as well as protecting the value of your investment. Parge is designed for resurfacing, coating and repairing concrete and masonry walls.
While parging can be done by homeowners, it is important that it is done the right way. If applied incorrectly, water can get between the parge coat and the concrete foundation causing further moisture damage – just what you were trying to avoid in the first place. You need to ensure that the proper admixtures and bonding agents are utilized to create the correct bond.