The exterior walls of your home or business are highly visible, and they take the full force of the weather, from freezing Toronto winters to hot, dry summer afternoons. After years of that, it’s normal to see wear that affects both how the wall looks and how well it resists the weather. That’s when parging in Toronto becomes worth considering.
Cummins Restorations has been repairing and re-finishing walls across the GTA since 1992. We remove loose or cracked parging, prepare the surface and apply a smooth, bonded new coat.
What is parging?
Parging is a mortar-based coat applied to a wall to re-finish and protect it. It’s most often used on foundation walls and the lower part of a house, where it covers rough block or concrete and gives a smooth, uniform finish.
Many clients tell us they’ve never heard of it. When we say parging is probably the best solution for a damaged or unsightly wall, the usual reply is “I’m not quite sure what you mean.” It’s simpler than it sounds.
The benefits of parging for Toronto homes
- It improves appearance. A wall that has eroded and stained from years of weather, dirt and fumes affects the look of the whole building. Parging restores a smooth, uniform finish.
- It’s another line of defence. Winters in the GTA are harsh, and a damaged wall deteriorates quickly as water freezes and expands in small cracks. Parging covers existing cracks and protects the wall from the weather, without altering the structure of your building.
Signs your parging needs attention
- Cracks or peeling in the coat
- Crumbling or missing sections
- Loose or hollow-sounding patches
- Exposed block, or a stained, eroded wall
- Damp patches or white salt deposits at the foundation
How we parge a wall
- Inspection. We check the condition of the wall and look for the cause of the damage, such as moisture or movement.
- Removal. Loose and failed parging is taken off.
- Preparation. The surface is cleaned and prepared so the new coat bonds.
- New coat. A smooth parging coat is applied and finished.
- Clean-up. We clear the site and walk through the result with you.
Parging in Toronto: before and after
Cracked, peeling parging on a foundation wall below red brick, then a smooth new coat.
See more of our work in the project gallery.
What affects the cost of parging in Toronto?
We price parging after an inspection. The main factors are:
- The area and height of the wall
- How much old parging has to be removed
- The condition of the wall behind it
- Access around the building
- The finish you want
You’ll get the scope, price and start date in writing, with no obligation.
Parging in Toronto: frequently asked questions
What is parging?
A mortar-based coat applied to a wall to re-finish and protect it, most often on foundation walls.
Is parging structural?
No. Parging doesn’t alter the structure of your building. It covers cracks, protects the wall from the weather and gives it a finished look.
Will parging stop my foundation leaking?
Parging is a protective coat, not a replacement for proper drainage or waterproofing. If you have active leaks, the cause needs to be found first.
How long does parging last?
Well-applied parging can last for many years, but movement or moisture behind the coat will make it fail early. Dealing with the cause matters as much as the new coat.
When can parging be done?
Parging needs the same mild weather as other mortar work, above about 5°C, so most jobs run from spring to late fall.
How much does parging cost in Toronto?
It depends on the area, how much old parging has to come off and the condition of the wall. After a free inspection we give you a written price.
Related masonry services in Toronto
- Brick repair in Toronto
- Tuckpointing in Toronto
- Masonry repair and heritage restoration
- Chimney repair in Toronto
- Masonry contractor in Scarborough
Read next: 6 signs freeze-thaw damage is destroying your brick.
Get a free parging estimate in Toronto
Contact us today to find out more about parging and our other masonry services. Call (416) 992-7965 or send us the details through our contact page. Cummins Restorations Inc. is fully licensed and insured, and serves Toronto and the GTA from 25 Dunelm Street.