You may have felt your home gives off the “unfinished projects” vibe. You might need to give your basement wall a bit of parging. Why does parging sound like a recipe from the Middle Ages? Keep reading to find out more about foundation parging.
The parging process is similar to frosting on your cake. This is a thin layer of concrete or mortar applied on top. The purpose is not for show. Consider it as putting a raincoat on before you step into a storm.
It’s easy to understand. The parging process hides unsightly imperfections and blemishes. Sort of like adding a touch of make-up before you head out. The benefits don’t stop here. This mortar blend acts as an effective shield against harsh weather conditions. This mortar mix will protect you from rainwater, ice, snow and other weather elements.
You’re still not convinced? Not convinced? Picture this. You invite your buddy Dave over to show off the new man cave you built in the basement. Dave just can’t get his eyes off the rough and cracked patches of wall. Parging? Parging?
You’ll need to wait. You need to do some pre-work before you can grab the tools and mortar. Just as you would wash your car before waxing, it is important to thoroughly clean the walls. Remove dirt, paint chips, or any loose particles. You can power-wash if necessary. After cleaning, the surface is like a canvas that’s ready to be painted.
This is where things get more practical. You’ll need some parging. It’s possible to make it yourself, but why not buy the pre-mixed bags from your local hardware store? Absolute lifesavers. It’s as simple as adding water, stirring it and your ice cubes are ready.
Start at the bottom of your wall and work up. It is best to use a trowel. The coat should be about 3/8″ thick. You don’t need to rush. For a more professional finish, you could even add a second coat if you feel like baking. It’s done! Let it air dry and then mist it with water for a perfect finish. Your ugly ducklings have been transformed into beautiful swans.
Why limit yourself to the basement only? Why limit your thinking to the basement? This same technique works wonders on exterior walls. Remember when Aunt Judy complained last Christmas about the draft? Not only will it make your home look better, but sealing up cracks could also help you save money. The double-win.
Tim tells us a funny story. His laundry room used to be filled with ugly exposed bricks. Parging patches later? What a difference! It looks like a brand-new place. The in-laws even complimented his work, knowing how difficult they are.
Do not try to sugarcoat the truth. Mistakes happen. It’s possible you forgot to add a certain ingredient or that the mixture was too liquid. It’s okay. You can fix it. You can add another layer, if necessary. The foundation is a long-term investment. Like a friend who is never bitter, foundations are very forgiving.
Remember to do some maintenance before you leave. It’s true that parging needs some attention. Be on the lookout for cracked or damaged areas that need to be repaired. Like that neglected garden, a little care can go a long ways.
It’s like an armored base for your house. The parging conceals any imperfections and protects your home from the elements. What person doesn’t enjoy a great makeover story. The next time that you, or someone else around you, wonders what’s up with those rough-looking basement walls in your home you will know the secret weapon you need to use. Parging is fun!