The Benefits of Parging

Parging is the process of applying a cement coating to the above-ground portion of your home's foundation walls, or to any brick, concrete, or stone surface. While it can be done to your home's exterior to improve aesthetics, parging has a role to play in basement waterproofing too.

It can be applied to either concrete-block or poured-concrete foundations, and serves an important function in not just covering up imperfections on the surface but also keeping the walls watertight and structurally sound. It also helps reduce wasted energy. The tiny cracks that can occur in your foundation walls will let out heat from the house which will result in higher utility bills for you.

Why parging is important in basement waterproofing

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. This generally means that your waterproofing can be effective for longer.

Improves structural integrity

Even small cracks and holes in your foundation can turn into a big problem if not addressed. This can be expensive for homeowners to repair, as well as lead to unnecessary stress.

Parging covers any existing cracks on the walls and adds an extra layer, increasing the strength of your walls and their structural integrity. A parge coat will also prevent water from freezing in the cracks and holes, which is a common cause of damage.

If you live in an area with occasionally extreme snow and rain, a parged foundation will really help prevent unwanted cracks, damage, and holes over time.

Improves your basement's energy efficiency by keeping heat in.

Parging your walls will not only make them stronger, but it also helps keep the heat in while reducing your energy usage. All those small cracks in your wall slowly release the warmth from your home.

Covering those cracks means that the heat stays in and you reduce your carbon footprint as well as saving money on heating bills.

Leave the parging to the professionals

When parging is properly applied, it can act as a barrier against rain and snow for the above-grade portion of your foundation walls.

If it's not applied properly, you can actually do more harm than good. Incorrectly applied parging can trap moisture between the parge and the wall - creating a moisture problem that can damage your foundation over time and lead to the concrete deteriorating or 'spalling'.

If you want to avoid water damage and spalling on your concrete foundation, contact a professional basement waterproofing or masonry company for their expert advice!

Over The Top Waterproofing have been servicing the people of  Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Tri-state area with top quality basement waterproofing and masonry services for over 25 years. We are a family-owned and operated company, specializing in basement solutions.

Call us at (609) 846-8442 or email us at Brian@overthetopwaterproofing.com for more information about our parging or other services.