Parging and concrete repair Montreal

Learn more about the parging and concrete repair process on masonry residential and commercial buildings in Montreal. Call us for a quote!

When doing masonry work, such as brick wall replacement, frost boil repair, or mortar repointing, additional steps, such as foundation parging, or concrete repair, may be necessary to the process.

What is parging?

Foundation parging is a coating applied to building foundations for aesthetic and functional reasons, to protect them from the elements and improve their appearance. It offers protection against weathering and water damage, while allowing aesthetic personalization of the building’s exterior.

There are two main types of parging used by masonry professionals:

Cement parging

Cement parging comes in two distinct mixes: 

Cement parging (Better adhesion and easier to handle. Type N mortar is available in pre-colored mixes).

• Foundation parging mix: usually factory-prepared and supplied in bags. Additives in the parging make it easier to handle and reinforce its adhesive power.
• Type N mortar: Made from Portland cement, sand and lime. It is the same mix as that used for laying bricks.

Acrylic coating (Durable, high-quality exterior finish, high adhesion, flexibility and waterproofing, ideal for surfaces exposed to de-icing salts, wide variety of colors and textures, more expensive than cement mixes)

• Base coat composed of Portland cement and liquid acrylic
• Fiberglass mesh
• Trowel-applied 100% acrylic paste finish coat
• **Texture may vary according to the aggregate used in the mix

What are the main benefits of parging?

• Protection: Parging forms a protective layer on the exterior surface of foundations or walls, providing a barrier against weather, moisture and water damage. This helps prolong the structure’s durability and structural integrity.
• Aesthetics: Parging can enhance a building’s aesthetic appearance by masking surface imperfections and offering a variety of colors and finishes to match the owner’s architectural style and preferences.
• Insulation: Depending on its composition and thickness, parging can also provide additional thermal and acoustic insulation, helping to regulate the building’s interior temperature and reduce external noise.

What are the steps involved in applying parging?

• Surface preparation: The surface to be parged must be prepared by carefully cleaning away any dirt, dust, debris or previous coatings. Any cracks or imperfections must also be repaired at this stage.
• Application of primer: Before applying the parging, a coat of primer is often applied to the prepared surface. This helps reinforce the parging adhesion and even out surface porosity for a more uniform application.
• Parging mix preparation: Parging is prepared by mixing basic materials such as cement, sand and water, together with any additives required to improve workability, adhesion or other specific characteristics.
• Parging application: Parging is applied to the prepared surface using a suitable tool such as a trowel, float or spray gun. It is spread evenly over the surface in a uniform layer.
• Texture and finish: The texture and finish of the parging can be adjusted according to the owner’s preferences or project requirements. This may include the use of special tools to create patterns or textures on the roughcast surface.
• Drying and curing: Once applied, parging must be allowed to dry and cure properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This may take several days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
• Final finishing: Once the parging is completely dry, a final inspection is carried out to ensure that it is uniform and free from defects. Final touch-ups may be necessary to correct any imperfections.

What is concrete repair?

Concrete repair refers to the process of repairing, renovating or replacing concrete surfaces that have been damaged, degraded or are in need of upgrading. It is often carried out to restore the structural integrity, improve the aesthetic appearance or extend the useful life of concrete surfaces such as concrete slabs, stairs, sidewalks, driveways or foundations.

What are the steps involved in concrete repair?

• Needs assessment: Before beginning the repair process, a thorough assessment of the concrete surface is carried out to determine the extent of damage and identify underlying problems that need to be addressed.
• Surface preparation: The concrete surface is prepared by carefully cleaning away any dirt, dust, debris or previous coatings. Cracks, chips or damaged areas are repaired or filled, and any areas of poor adhesion are treated.
• Application of new materials: Depending on the extent of the damage and the specific needs of the project, different materials can be used to repair or reinforce the concrete surface. This may include the application of repair mortar, protective coatings, surface coatings or even the complete replacement of certain sections of concrete.
• Finishing: Once repairs have been made and any new material applied, the concrete surface is finished to ensure a uniform appearance and long-term durability. This may include smoothing, leveling or applying finishing coatings such as paints, sealers or protective coatings.
• Drying and curing : After repair work has been completed, the concrete must dry and harden properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This may take several days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Why choose Restaure-Action for parging and concrete repair?

Our team of qualified professionals is dedicated to specialized masonry and has over 60 years’ combined experience. We have all the qualifications and skills needed to offer you plastering and concrete repair services. We can carry out these repairs in both the residential sector (houses, apartment buildings, townhouses, duplexes and triplexes) and the commercial sector (commercial spaces, warehouses, historic buildings, etc.). 

Any questions?

If you have any questions about our parging work and concrete repair process, our other masonry services, or to request a free estimate, we invite you to contact us. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible. We travel to many parts of the city of Montreal to offer our residential and commercial masonry services.