Add a protective and attractive cement coating to your foundation, wall, chimney, or masonry surface.
Parge coatings are used to cover exterior walls, most often foundations made of concrete, cinder block, brick, or stone. A parge coat is a thin layer of mortar applied to create a smooth, clean, attractive surface.
Made with Portland cement, also known as hydraulic cement, parging creates a durable protective foundation coating that can be painted, sealed, or left as-is. It is commonly used to improve curb appeal while adding an extra layer of weather protection.
When done incorrectly, parging can crack, crumble, or separate from the wall. Just Foundations Ottawa applies new parge coats and repairs old, damaged, or poorly installed parging throughout Greater Ottawa.
Parging is commonly applied to brick, cinder block, stone, and poured concrete. It works best when the surface is structurally sound, clean, and ready for proper adhesion.
If your foundation is cracked, shifting, or damaged, you may need foundation repairs or foundation crack repair before a parge coat is applied.
Parging is most often used on foundation exteriors, but it can also be applied to exposed block walls, retaining walls, chimneys, steps, staircases, stoops, and some interior foundation surfaces.
While parging is not a replacement for full basement waterproofing, it can add a protective coating that helps shield masonry from moisture, rain, snow, and freeze-thaw exposure.
We parge foundations and masonry throughout Greater Ottawa, including Orleans, Vanier, Alta Vista, Westboro, Nepean, Russell, Greely, Manotick, Barrhaven, Kanata, Stittsville, Dunrobin, and nearby communities.
Contact Just Foundations Ottawa for a free estimate on parging, parging repair, or masonry coating work.
Good parging is about more than creating a smooth finish. The condition of the foundation underneath, the materials used, and proper preparation all play a role in how well a parge coat performs over time. Just Foundations combines local foundation experience with careful assessments and professional workmanship.
Our team brings more than 30 years of combined experience working on foundations across Ottawa and the surrounding communities. We understand how freeze-thaw cycles, spring snowmelt, moisture and temperature changes can affect exposed concrete and masonry foundation surfaces.
Just Foundations is locally based at 210 Colonnade Road South in Ottawa. We work throughout Ottawa and surrounding communities, giving our team firsthand experience with foundations in older neighbourhoods and newer developments across the region.
We assess the affected area before recommending a solution. Cracked, loose or deteriorating parging can sometimes accompany damage to the foundation underneath.
If we find an underlying issue, we can determine whether foundation repairs or foundation crack repair should be completed before new parging is applied.
Our expertise isn't limited to applying a new parge coat. We work with foundation repairs, structural issues, masonry, drainage and basement waterproofing throughout Ottawa.
This allows us to recognize when deteriorating parging is simply a surface issue and when there may be a larger foundation or moisture problem that should be addressed.
Just Foundations is fully insured to complete foundation repair, basement waterproofing, structural repair and related foundation work on residential and commercial properties.
Ottawa property owners can hire our team knowing their foundation is being worked on by an experienced, professionally insured company.
We explain what we find, what work we recommend and what to expect before the project begins. You'll receive clear, up-front pricing for the recommended work so you can understand the scope of your parging project before making a decision.
Whether your existing parging is cracked and deteriorating or you want to improve the appearance of exposed foundation walls, we'll assess the surface and recommend the appropriate next step.
A durable parge coat starts with proper preparation. We inspect the existing surface, look for underlying foundation concerns and prepare the masonry before applying the new finish.
We inspect the existing parging and exposed foundation for cracking, flaking, crumbling, loose material and moisture-related deterioration.
If we find damage beneath the surface, we may recommend foundation crack repair or another foundation solution before new parging is applied.
Foundation construction varies across Ottawa. Older homes in The Glebe, Centretown, Old Ottawa South, Westboro and Vanier can have different foundation materials and conditions than newer homes in Barrhaven, Kanata and Orléans.
We assess each property individually rather than treating every foundation surface the same.
Loose, deteriorated or poorly bonded material is removed before new parging is applied.
Proper surface preparation gives the new parge coat a suitable surface to bond to rather than simply covering material that is already failing.
Once the foundation has been properly prepared, we apply the new parging and create a clean, consistent finish across the exposed surface.
The application is completed with Ottawa's significant seasonal temperature changes in mind.
Ottawa's clay-heavy soils, freeze-thaw cycles, spring snowmelt, rainfall and seasonal groundwater changes can contribute to foundation movement and moisture concerns.
If these conditions appear to be contributing to the deterioration, we look beyond the parging itself and identify other foundation, drainage or moisture issues that may need attention.
New parging performs best when the surface underneath is sound. Our process is designed to identify deterioration, prepare the foundation properly and determine whether another issue should be addressed before the new parge coat is applied.
Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycles, snow, rain, and seasonal temperature swings can be tough on exposed foundation surfaces. Watch for these signs that your home's parging may need attention.
Cracking, flaking, staining, or repeated failure can sometimes point to moisture or foundation issues underneath. A proper assessment helps determine whether the parging itself needs repair or whether another problem should be addressed first.
Small cracks can develop as parging ages and goes through repeated Ottawa winters. Cracks that continue to grow, appear in several areas, or return after previous repairs are worth having professionally assessed.
Parging that flakes, chips, or separates from the foundation has usually lost its bond with the surface underneath. You may notice pieces collecting around the base of the wall, particularly after winter.
If the parging feels loose or begins crumbling when touched, sections of the coating may be deteriorating. Ottawa's repeated freezing and thawing can make existing deterioration progressively worse.
Missing sections of parging can leave concrete or block foundations exposed. This is especially noticeable around older Ottawa homes where the original exterior finish has deteriorated over many years.
White deposits, staining, or persistent discolouration can indicate that moisture is moving through or collecting around the foundation surface.
These signs should be investigated before simply applying another coat of parging.
If previously repaired parging continues to crack or separate, there may be more happening than normal surface deterioration.
A professional foundation inspection can help determine the condition of the foundation and whether another issue should be addressed before the parging is redone.
We'll inspect the parging and exposed foundation to determine whether the issue is cosmetic, moisture-related, or connected to a larger foundation concern.
Just Foundations provides professional parging and parging repair throughout Ottawa and nearby communities, helping homeowners and property owners maintain, protect, and restore exposed foundation surfaces.
From older homes in Centretown, The Glebe, Old Ottawa South and Westboro to properties in Nepean, Barrhaven, Kanata, Stittsville, Gloucester and Orléans, our team works with a wide range of local foundation materials and conditions.
Our service area also extends into communities surrounding Ottawa, including Manotick, Greely, Richmond and other parts of the National Capital Region. Whether you need deteriorating parging repaired or a completely new parge coat applied, our Ottawa team is ready to help.
Don't see your community listed? Contact our team to confirm parging service availability in your area.
Clear recommendations, professional workmanship and a clean job site matter just as much as the finished repair. Here's what local customers have said about their experience with our team.
“After getting quotes from a few different foundation companies, we chose Just Foundations because they took the time to actually explain what was causing the problem instead of trying to sell us the biggest job. That made all the difference to me!
The crew repaired a foundation crack that had been letting moisture into our basement, and the workmanship was outstanding. They showed up when they said they would, kept us updated throughout the project, and left everything cleaner than I expected. You can tell they specialize in foundation repair and take pride in doing the job right the first time.
If you’re dealing with foundation cracks, water seepage, or need a dependable foundation repair company, I highly recommend Just Foundations. It’s rare to find a contractor that’s this professional, transparent, and easy to work with. Five stars without hesitation.”
“We couldn’t be happier with the work from Just Foundations. After noticing several foundation cracks and uneven floors, we contacted them for an inspection.
They quickly identified the problem, explained our options, and completed the foundation repair with exceptional attention to detail.
The crew was knowledgeable, courteous, and kept us informed throughout the project. Our basement is now dry, the cracks have been repaired, and we have complete confidence in the stability of our home.
If you need foundation repair, foundation crack repair, or waterproofing, I highly recommend Just Foundations. They deliver quality workmanship and outstanding customer service. Five stars all the way!”
“Just Foundations did an amazing job on our basement! Everyone on the team was incredibly friendly and explained their recommendations in simple, easy-to-understand language.
They left everything clean and polished afterward, and the quote was very reasonable given the high quality of their work. I would highly recommend them!”
Have questions about cracked parging, repairs, costs, Ottawa winters, or whether your foundation needs more than a new parge coat? Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
Ottawa’s repeated freezing and thawing can be hard on exposed foundation surfaces. Moisture can enter small cracks or deteriorated areas and expand when it freezes, contributing to cracking, flaking, and separation of the parging over time.
Parging can crack because of age, moisture, poor adhesion, temperature changes, or movement beneath the surface. Ottawa’s clay-heavy soils, seasonal groundwater changes, spring snowmelt, and freeze-thaw cycles can all contribute to conditions that place additional stress on foundation surfaces.
Yes, depending on the extent of the deterioration. After years of Ottawa winters, localized cracking or flaking may only require repair, while widespread crumbling, loose material, or separation may require larger sections to be removed and reapplied.
Only when the existing parging is sufficiently sound and well bonded. Ottawa’s freeze-thaw cycles can cause older parging to loosen from the foundation, so deteriorated, hollow, or poorly bonded areas should be addressed before new material is applied.
For many Ottawa homes, parging can cost approximately $5 to $25 per square foot, while smaller repairs may be priced differently because of preparation and minimum project costs. The final price depends on the amount of damaged material that needs to be removed, foundation condition, accessibility, surface preparation, and the total area being parged. An on-site assessment provides a more accurate quote.
Parging should be completed when temperatures and weather conditions allow the material to be applied and cured properly. Because Ottawa experiences cold winters and significant seasonal temperature changes, exterior parging projects are generally better suited to appropriate warmer-weather conditions.
Older neighbourhoods such as The Glebe, Centretown, Old Ottawa South, Vanier, and Westboro have many homes with aging exposed foundation surfaces. Years of moisture exposure and Ottawa freeze-thaw cycles can contribute to deterioration of existing parging.
Parging provides a finished layer over an exposed foundation and can offer some surface protection, but it is not a complete foundation waterproofing system. This distinction is particularly important in Ottawa, where spring snowmelt, heavy rainfall, and seasonal groundwater can create significant moisture around foundations.
If water is entering your basement or moisture is affecting the foundation, learn more about our basement waterproofing services .
Repeated freezing and thawing can worsen existing weak spots and small cracks. If the same area continues to crack after being repaired, the condition underneath the parging should be investigated rather than repeatedly covering the surface.
Cracking, flaking, crumbling, and exposed sections of foundation can indicate deteriorated parging, but similar symptoms can sometimes accompany problems underneath the surface. A professional foundation inspection can help determine what is causing the deterioration and what type of work is appropriate.
Contact Just Foundations to request a free assessment and discuss your parging project with our Ottawa team.
