Comments on: Parging The Foundation Walls

By: Fran

Fran — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 21:50:08 +0000

Great site. WE are trying to parge 87 year old concrete walls, using Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix. Having the worst time with this. Can’t get it to stick to the walls. We wirebrushed and cleaned the walls last week. This is very frustrating. Is there an addititve that we need to use to get this to stick? any ideas? Thanks

By: Chado123

Chado123 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:09:25 +0000

did put the mortar mix on the trowel and sort of smudge upwards to stick the parging I’m not sure how to apply it so it sticks on the wall, trying todo the inside of the basement to. Cool article!

By: David

David — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:41:54 +0000

Thank you Joel. I think this is going to be a project for me in the new year when the weather outside is, as they say, frightful. I’ll be reasonably warm in my basement parging away.

By: DLC in TN

DLC in TN — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:44:39 +0000

Cody, yer an idiot so STFU!

By: Joel

Joel — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:05:44 +0000

if masonry cement you buy get O, or at most N. and i would in the hardest “type N high bond” to parge. preferably high lime custom mix.

and cut out any joint you are to repoint at least twice the width in depth. as well to a solid back, and dampen before pointing.

cheers.

By: David

David — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:23:07 +0000

Thank you for the great advice. Luckily since resolving a clogged drainage pipe outside we haven’t had much in the way a moisture in the basement so the waterproofing shouldn’t be necessary.

By: Mrs. Mecomber

Mrs. Mecomber — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:17:03 +0000

Hi David. I’m no expert mason, just a home owner like you. After 100+ years, the limestone mortar does start to fall apart, especially if there is underground water (as is with my home). Also, chipmunks love to dig in the mortar and make nests.

If it was my foundation, I would brush out the loose mortar and repoint as much as possible with a similar type of mixture (lime). Then, I would parge with sand mix. That’s my two cents and that’s what I have heard most masons recommend. Of course, if you live in an area with a high water table, you may need to waterproof the exterior foundation wall.

By: David

David — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:08:07 +0000

This is all great information. My 146 year old home has a stone foundation and the exposed stone and mortar in the basement flakes. You can sweep the basement floor but in a few weeks the fine gritty powder is back covering everything in the basement. Is parging a solution for this problem? I don’t want to do something that will lead to foundation problems down the road. I know that these types of walls need to be able to “breath”. I’m willing to put in the time and labor but I’d like to know that I’m not doing anything that I’ll regret in the future. Thanks for any advice you can give.

By: Edward Shepherd

Edward Shepherd — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:33:03 +0000

Brystone good post. It is important to know WHAT the ‘stuff’ inside a bag labeled mortar or topping, or cement, etc. actually is! I just discovered that one brand of mortar product is different than another! I suppose there is no official “MORTAR RATIO STANDARDS REGULATION COMMITTEE” – unfortunately.
The ratio of sand, cement, lime, rocks, etc, are VERY very important.
Which reminds me … The story of a ratio fiasco:
I just made chili for a large group and gave my secret recipe to a friend (a friend who does not cook very often) – and they improvised in in trying to create my chili from their transcribed recipe.
But the result was that they ended up with a horrible tasting mess. While it still contained all the same ingredients .. the ratios were not the same at all. A cup of cumin is usually too much! Well .. at least for Texas chili …

By: Shelli

Shelli — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:19:05 +0000

Thank you for your post. It was very informative. I have a 1929 craftsman home that has a similar foundation and similar issues. It was nice to see that I am on the right track.