PROFESSIONAL MASONRY SERVICES AND PARGING IN THE OTTAWA AREA
BOL-DAN provides a wide range of masonry services in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. In order to deal with your masonry problems, we’ve gathered a team of skilled and diligent professionals you can definitely trust with taking care of your most important investment: your house.
No matter how well a house is built, the movements in the ground and the constraints that weather imposes on the structure can, with time passing, lead to a moment when repairs are necessary. If the brick and stone on your walls show signs of degradation, or the joints are deteriorating, do not hesitate to contact us! We can assure you of a timely response and high-quality work.
PARGING
Parging is a practical coating of cement-based mortar applied to a foundation above ground. It is used as a protective layer against the weather and moisture and helps create a smooth foundation surface that looks good. Parging requires some experience to get the right consistency and to apply it correctly so as to give it an aesthetically pleasing look. If your parging starts wearing off, don’t wait, call us!
WHY PARGE YOUR FOUNDATION?
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It enhances curb appeal.
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It serves as a protective layer against the weather and moisture.
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It seals small holes, preventing entry by bugs and small animals.
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It prevents air leaks by sealing small holes.
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It covers repairs and imperfections.
HOW IS PARGING IS DONE?
To prepare we remove loose parging, clean the wall, repair cracks and then brush some water on the foundation to moisten it and help parging bond better. We prepare our parging. We then apply the parging by trowel, allow it to dry partially and then sponge it to give it its finish.
On foundations with pitting or on block or stone foundations we often have to install wire mesh, apply a basecoat, let it dry and then parge over them.
EXAMPLE OF PITTING:
WHEN TO APPLY PARGING?
The right temperature to apply parging is between 10 °C and 25 °C on a sunny day with no rain forecasted overnight. The minimum temperature to apply it is 5 °C for several days with no sudden drop.
Factors that can limit the life span of parging:
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De-icing salt
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Excessive moisture
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The freeze-thaw cycle during winter
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Bad grading directing water towards it
BRICK AND STONE REPOINTING
Brick and stone repointing consists of taking out unsteady and crumbling mortar in order to replace it with new material, which restores the masonry’s appearance and stability. When the surface of the mortar doesn’t protect your house’s outer walls anymore, they become exposed to water infiltration and erosion. A good repointing can last decades in optimal conditions, just like the original mortar joints. Knowing when to have your brick and stone professionally repointed is easy: compare the depth of the disintegration to the height of the mortar filling. When the two measures are equivalent, it’s time to get an expert’s help!
LOOSE BRICK REPLACING OR REPAIRING
A loose brick in an outer wall or on stairs is not just unaesthetic; it can lead to a collapse of the wall or be a danger for people walking on the concerned step. However, it is possible to repair the loose brick by simply replacing the old mortar and putting the brick back. This solution is preferable if the brick is, of course, still in good state. Indeed, a new brick might not match the hue and texture that fits with the rest of the structure. However, if a brick is cracked or broken, it must be replaced by a new one, as it could let moisture penetrate the walls.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
Excellent workmanship
Bol-Dan repaired the foundation in our garage, filled a crack, reinforced with mesh, and finally new parging. Excellent job, and they charged only for the work they did (when they removed the old parging, the crack did not go below ground, so there was no charge for the excavation that was in the quote). They also did excavated and repaired four window wells in the house foundation, and fixed a couple of minor cracks as they went. Excellent workmanship. Cheerful crew. On time, and the only breaks in the job caused by weather (which they planned the job to get around as best they could). Minimal mess, with good clean up, and they will be back in a few months, once the soil settles and compacts back in the holes. I will call them for any foundation work in the future.
HomeOwner