Parging is most commonly used on the exposed portion of a home’s foundation, but the right application depends on the substrate and how the area is constructed. J and J Coatings focuses on exterior cementitious parging systems for concrete, masonry, ICF and certain properly prepared transitions throughout Edmonton and surrounding communities.
Exposed Concrete Foundation Walls
The most common application is the visible portion of a poured-concrete foundation between grade and the exterior cladding. Parging creates a consistent cementitious finish over the exposed concrete and helps the foundation look complete as part of the exterior.
On an existing home, the condition of the current parging determines whether a localized repair, a broader wall recoat or replacement is the better approach. Loose and delaminated material is removed, while sound, well-bonded parging can remain when it is still a suitable base after proper preparation.
Learn about parging repair in Edmonton
New Foundations, Garages and Additions
New poured-concrete and masonry foundations can be parged once the substrate and site conditions are suitable. This includes new homes, detached garages, additions and other projects where exposed foundation concrete requires a finished exterior surface.
See our new foundation parging service
ICF Foundations
Insulated concrete form foundations require a different assembly than conventional poured concrete. We use galvanized metal lath mechanically fastened to the ICF structure, followed by the appropriate cementitious coats and finish. The lath provides the reinforcement and attachment needed for the parging system.
Concrete Block and Masonry
Parging can also be applied over suitable concrete block and masonry surfaces when the substrate is stable and properly prepared. Existing coatings, contamination, movement and moisture conditions all need to be considered before new material is applied.
Framed or Wood Transitions
Some exterior projects include a framed or wood section adjacent to the foundation. Cementitious parging should not simply be applied directly to wood. Where the construction allows it, these areas require an appropriate membrane and mechanically fastened metal lath before the cementitious coats are applied.
Where Parging Is Not the Right Solution
Parging is an exterior foundation finish. It is not structural reinforcement, crack injection, insulation or a below-grade waterproofing system. Active water entry, drainage problems, significant foundation movement and structural cracking may require separate assessment or repair before parging work is completed.
We also do not treat parging as a substitute for an interior basement finishing or insulation system.
Parging vs. Stucco
Parging and stucco are different exterior finishes and should not be treated as interchangeable systems. Foundation parging is typically a cementitious finish over exposed foundation surfaces. Stucco is an exterior wall-cladding system with different substrates, detailing and repair requirements.
J and J Coatings specializes in foundation parging and also completes select localized stucco repairs. See our stucco repair service.
Not Sure Whether Your Surface Can Be Parged?
Send us photos of the area and we can review the substrate, existing finish and overall condition. With more than 10,000 parging projects completed since 2007, we can recommend whether a repair, recoat, replacement or new application is appropriate. Qualifying parging work is backed by our 30-year transferable written warranty, subject to the warranty terms and exclusions.
