Do you remember the first time that you looked down at your crumbling concrete foundation, and felt it needed a touch of TLC? Let’s talk parging – putting a fresh coating on rough concrete. You might think that parging is a simple touch of cosmetics, but trust me it’s so much more. It’s like wearing a suit to impress at a job interview–functionality meets flair in your home’s first impression. Visit Toronto Parging before reading this.

Toronto is a city that’s no stranger when it comes to weather extremes. In a flash, you can have a scorching hot day and in ten minutes it will be like your very own Frozen. Extreme conditions like these can damage your concrete foundations or walls. Parging is a great way to shield structures from damaging elements. You never knew that a thin coat of mortar can act like a hero.

It’s important to be patient. Parging should not just be something done on the weekend. When you parge in a hurry, the result is similar to plugging a dike with gum. Surface preparation is the key. You should clean and dry the entire area. This is like seasoning a delicious crust to a steak. If you skip the necessary steps, it will not be as tasty.

Why should you bother strengthening your outer walls? Remember the freeze-thaw cycles. As water seeps in, it expands. This external layer on your wall will start to look like Grand Canyon. It fills up the cracks and makes the surface more smooth, decreasing the possibility of moisture being able to get back into your wall.

Toronto has some older homes that can make it difficult to manage. Some of these houses are older than your grandmother’s house. The materials and structures will likely vary. Like trying to quilt a patchwork after a tornado, there are so many quirks it would make any one go crazy. A good eye and patience are required.

Also there are the neighboring homes. The last thing you want is to be that guy in a row with pristine houses who has avalanche walls. It can raise the value of your home by improving your curbside appeal. Clean socks are like wearing new ones. They may not be visible, but they make a difference.

It’s important to not skimp out on quality tools. Here, a good ladder and trowels will be your friends. This is like using an artist’s palette to make your parging appear professionally completed. Don’t skimp or your surfaces will be lumpy. This is not what you want, particularly if your partner has already grown tired of seeing your “innovative” home improvement projects.

Remember to always mix your mortar. You don’t want it to be too thin, or else the mortar wont stick. The application will be frustratingly slow if the mortar is too thick. Goldilocks’ sweet consistency is what you should imagine when using mortar. You can add waterproofing compounds to the mix, especially in Toronto where weather conditions are unpredictable.

Humor me, imagine your parging to be a romantic first date. Your goal is to have everything perfectly smooth, spotless and professionally executed. The layers need time to cure. Otherwise you could end up with cracks, blisters, and other imperfections on your perfectly smooth surface. Would you please avoid making that rookie’s mistake?

Ahhh, the city codes. Let’s not forget them. It’s important to know the rules in place because there is nothing worse than an inspector who comes out of nowhere and ruins your day. The permits might seem like a bother, but it’s better to have them than force you to redo the work.

Aesthetics is the next step. The choice is yours: Pigmented finishes or texture finish? Choose wallpaper is like that. There’s an endless number of options, but when you discover “the one”, it feels so good. Find out what people think in your area, and mix it up to make your own style. Decorate your home to your taste. This is not the job of someone else.

You don’t need to have any experience with DIY to parge your walls. It’s not only a way to protect your home, it also enhances its functionality. Toronto homes are known for their history, but they also have a modern twist. Get your tools, put on some sleeves and crack the whip. You never know. You might even enjoy it.