What is parging concrete?

Author: Cordia Gutmann  |  Last update: Thursday, December 18, 2025

Parging, is a thin layer of mortar applied to the exteriors of concrete or masonry surfaces, such as foundation walls, bricks, or stones. This coating, typically composed of Portland cement, sand, and water, creates a durable and visually appealing finish.

What is the problem with parging?

With time, the unreinforced parging material (such as DuRock B2000) can crack due to damage from grass mowing equipment, hockey sticks and pucks, baseballs hitting the wall, and other regular wear-and-tear.

How long does parging last?

The reality is that there is so much bad parging done that people believe its normal for parging to fail and to wear out. This is unfortunate because parging should last 30-50 years! Can you believe that? And even after that time, it should only need repaired mostly due to weathering.

What is the purpose of parging concrete?

Parging is more than just a second layer of concrete. It serves a practical purpose by protecting your home's foundation from severe weather, keeping it warm during cold winters, and preventing insects and other animals from digging their way inside.

How much does cement parging cost?

The cost can vary significantly based on several factors including the size of the area to be parged, the condition of your foundation, and the type of material used. On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $3 to $6 per square foot for professional services.

How To Parge A Concrete Wall, Avoid A Parging Fail with Doing It This way ,

Is parging a good idea?

Ideally suited to indoor or sheltered locations, due to being susceptible to damage from excess moisture, parging is great as an interim solution and allows quick repairs. On the downside, if you live in a wet location or experience extremes of temperature, parging probably won't last long.

Can I use Quikrete for parging?

QUIKRETE® Water Resistant Parging Mix (115525) is a Masonry coating and patching of concrete walls for cosmetic. Used For: Concrete block. Concrete & masonry walls.

Can you do parging yourself?

It's best to leave parging repairs to professionals since the slightest mistakes can be noticeable. However, if you want to repair the situation immediately, there is a DIY method you can follow as long as you follow important guidelines.

How far down does parging go?

Parging is a Portland cement, lime and sand based sacrificial layer or “skin” coating the exposed foundation (and typically 2-4 inches below grade) of a home or building with a poured concrete or block foundation.

What is an alternative to parging?

Alternatives to Parging

Acrylic stucco is a modern alternative to traditional parging that offers several advantages. Unlike parging, which is primarily used for protection, acrylic stucco provides both protection and a decorative finish.

Does parging need to be sealed?

Parging and sealing are absolute musts for foundation walls with exterior insulation, brickwork, or other materials. While parging is not exactly the same as waterproofing, it is an added layer of protection against moisture.

What is the best product to use for parging?

Overview. For all of your parging needs, look no further than to SAKRETE Parging Mix, a pre-blended and ready-to-use cement mixture! It offers exceptional adhesion, specially formulated to resurface and repair concrete and masonry walls.

Can I parge over old parging?

Yes, you can parge over old parging. However, it's important to thoroughly clean and repair the existing layer before applying the new one. Any loose or damaged parts of the old parging must be removed to ensure a good bond with the new layer. Parging can be painted over once it has properly cured.

Does parging need to be painted?

While painting is not absolutely necessary, it does provide for a beautifully finished appearance. When completing any cement parging work it is important to insure no water can penetrate behind the finish.

Is parging water proof?

Parging itself isn't specifically waterproof, but it can be immensely beneficial to the overall waterproofing process. Adding a layer of parging to the outside of your home's foundation walls will provide an extra barrier for any water-proofing membranes or coatings applied.

How long does parging cement take to cure?

Final Setting Time: The final setting time, when the cement has fully hardened, can take anywhere from 24 hours to several days. Curing Time: While the cement may achieve initial set relatively quickly, full curing to reach its maximum strength can take weeks.

Is parging expensive?

It costs about $3 to $4 per square foot to parge a home.

Why does parging fall off?

Poor Preparation

This translates to two things: poor parge preparation or poor surface grooming. Before application, the walls need to be well cleaned and free from dirt and sand. We also remove coatings such as paint to ensure the surface is completely smooth.

Do you need mesh for parging?

The Purpose of Parging

Note that its application is not required by the Construction Code. If foundation walls are insulated from the outside, applying foundation parging reinforced with a wire mesh or another rigid finishing material is mandatory to protect the insulation from bad weather and the sun.

Can you parge over plywood?

Parging over plywood is applied just like the California stucco application. Making sure that plywood is secured and placed in properly. Any movement on the plywood can damage the parging application in the long run.

Is parging the same as stucco?

Stucco is a cement-based mortar used as a hardy and aesthetic finish for the exterior of homes. It can be applied to various surfaces, including block, brick, wood, and steel. On the other hand, parging is a masonry mortar used to enhance the exterior wall surface of your home, particularly above-ground foundations.

Why does parging crack?

Parging is made of cement, which dries out over time and becomes brittle. The exposure to moisture and the sun can accelerate the drying process, causing the parging to crack. The cracks can be due to a number of causes, some of which are: Cracking due to settling of the foundation.

How much does parging a basement cost?

Parging Basement Walls Costs

Parging or applying a cementitious coating to your basement walls costs between $4 and $6 a square foot.

How do you prepare concrete for parging?

SURFACE PREPARATION

Remove all sand, dirt, dust, paint, etc. by brushing vigorously with a broom or stiff brush and water. If small amounts of oil or grease are present, scrub vigorously with a strong detergent solution and rinse thoroughly with water to remove all detergent residue.

What thickness is parging?

After mixing apply SAKRETE Parging Mix, by trowel, to a damp surface not exceeding 10 mm (3/8 inch) in thickness. If a greater thickness is required, rough-up surface with a coarse broom and allow to harden for 24 hours before repeating process.

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