Calgary Parging Services: Protect Your Foundation from Alberta’s Harsh Climate

Your home’s exterior faces a brutal test every Calgary winter. Between October and April, the air temperature swings across the freezing point over 120 times. While your foundation stands still, this cycle forces meltwater into microscopic cracks where it freezes and expands, slowly wedging the concrete surface apart. Without proper parging protection, those freeze-thaw cycles create cracks that let moisture infiltrate your foundation—turning minor damage into costly repairs.

before and after photo. Before photo showing bare bone foundation after photo showing new textured parging application in 118 Clydesdale Way Cochrane AB

What Is Parging and Why Does Your Calgary Home Need It?

Parging creates a protective mortar coating over your foundation’s exposed concrete surfaces. Think of it as waterproof armor for your home’s most vulnerable areas. This thin layer (typically 6-19mm thick) seals existing cracks and prevents new ones from forming.

Calgary homes face unique challenges that make parging essential:

Chinook winds cause temperature swings of 30°C in hours, stressing unprotected concrete
110-130 freeze-thaw cycles annually expand water in foundation cracks.
Heavy spring runoff from Rocky Mountain snowmelt saturates soil around foundations
Alberta Building Code requirements mandate moisture protection for below-grade walls

In Calgary’s competitive market, curb appeal is everything. Unprotected foundations suffer from ‘concrete scaling’—unsightly chipping that signals neglect to future buyers. A professional parging application typically costs a fraction of the $3,000+ you might lose in perceived home value due to a crumbling exterior.

Testimonial

Calgary homeowner saved thousands with preventive parging foundation coating

Hear from our satisfied customers who have experienced the quality and value of our products and services.

★★★★★

We had Martini Stone Masonry complete parging repair on our home, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. From start to finish, they were professional, reliable, and detail-oriented. The workmanship is excellent—the repaired areas blend in seamlessly and really improve the overall look of our foundation. Communication was clear, the job was done on time, and everything was cleaned up beautifully afterward. It’s rare to find a company that takes this much pride in their work. I would highly recommend Martini Stone Masonry to anyone in need of masonry or parging repairs!

Leanne O

Wavy texturing to parging coat under deck area

Our Parging Services Across Calgary and Beyond

Martini Stone Masonry serves homeowners throughout the Calgary metropolitan area and mountain communities. Our crews complete 200+ parging projects annually across:

Common Applications

Calgary neighborhoods: From heritage homes in Kensington to new builds in Auburn Bay
Okotoks: Including D’Arcy Ranch and Crystal Green developments
Chestermere: Waterfront properties requiring specialized moisture protection
Airdrie: Serving Cooper’s Crossing to Kings Heights
Cochrane – From Sunset Ridge to the historic downtown core
Banff & Canmore: Mountain properties facing extreme temperature variations

Each region presents distinct challenges. Chestermere’s high water table demands extra waterproofing layers. Banff properties endure temperature drops to -40°C. Our technicians adjust techniques and materials—including Target Products’ DryMix CodeMix, engineered specifically for Alberta’s climate extremes—to match your location’s specific conditions.

Get a free parging assessment for your property

new parging to walk in basement suite at 71 Quigley Dr Cochrane AB

Signs Your Calgary Property Needs Parging Repair

Foundation damage accelerates quickly in Calgary’s climate. Catching problems early saves thousands in repair costs. Inspect your foundation every spring and fall for these warning signs:

Exterior Warning Signs

Hairline cracks wider than 2mm (a toonie’s thickness)
Parging pulling away from the foundation wall
White powder (efflorescence) indicating moisture penetration
Chunks of parging in your garden beds or window wells
Exposed aggregate where parging has worn away

Interior Red Flags

Basement moisture after chinooks or spring thaw
Musty odors indicating hidden water damage
Cracks in drywall near foundation walls
Doors or windows that suddenly stick

The Parging Process: What Calgary Homeowners Can Expect

Professional parging requires more than slapping mortar on concrete. Our certified masons follow a proven 7-step process that ensures 20+ year durability:

Foundation assessment (1-3 hours): Document existing damage, test moisture levels, identify problem areas
Surface preparation: Remove loose material, power wash, apply bonding agent
Crack repair: Inject polyurethane sealant into cracks larger than 3mm
Mix application: Apply Target Products’ DryMix CodeMix in 6-10mm layers
Texture finishing: Create smooth or stippled finish matching your preference
Curing process: Monitor moisture levels for 48-72 hours
(Optional) Final waterproof coating: Apply elastomeric sealant for maximum protection

Timeline: Most Calgary homes require 1-3 days for complete parging restoration. Spring bookings (April-June) fill quickly as homeowners address winter damage.

Schedule your spring parging project now

Why Choose Martini Stone Masonry for Calgary Parging

Since 2006, Martini Stone Masonry has protected over 1,500 Calgary-area homes from foundation damage. Our commitment to quality shows in every project:

Proven Expertise

Licensed and insured Alberta masonry contractor

Red Seal certified journeyman masons on every crew

5-star Google rating from 22+ verified Calgary customers

Superior Materials & Methods

Target Products’ DryMix CodeMix: Engineered for -40°C to +35°C temperature ranges

25-year manufacturer warranty on materials when professionally applied

Same-day emergency repairs available for critical foundation issues

Every Martini Stone Masonry parging project includes our 10-year workmanship warranty. If your parging fails due to application issues, we repair it free. No fine print, no excuses.

Get your free parging quote within 24 hours

Commonly Asked Questions

Look for answers to your questions about our products and services.

How much does parging cost in Calgary?

Most residential parging projects run $8-$15 per square foot, depending on foundation condition, accessibility, and repair complexity. A typical Calgary home with 150-200 square feet of exposed foundation costs $1,200-$3,000. We provide free on-site quotes within 24 hours.

When is the best time to parge in Calgary?

April through October, when temperatures stay consistently above 5°C. Mortar needs proper curing time and won’t bond correctly in freezing conditions. Spring is ideal—you’ll fix winter damage before summer rains, and our schedule fills fast once the snow melts.

How long does parging last in Alberta’s climate?

Professionally applied parging with quality materials like Target Products’ DryMix CodeMix lasts 20-30 years. Poor DIY jobs or bargain contractors using generic mortar often fail within 5-7 years. Our 10-year workmanship warranty backs every project.

Can I parge my foundation myself?

You can, but DIY parging rarely survives Calgary’s freeze-thaw cycles. Common mistakes—wrong mix ratios, skipping bonding agents, applying too thick—lead to cracking and peeling within 2-3 winters. The cost to strip failed DIY parging and redo it professionally usually exceeds doing it right the first time.

How do I know if my parging needs repair or full replacement?

Repair works for isolated cracks, small chips, or localized damage. Full replacement is needed when parging is peeling in large sections, pulling away from the foundation, or more than 30% of the surface shows damage. We assess this during your free inspection.

Does parging fix foundation cracks?

Parging seals and protects surface cracks, but it’s not a structural repair. Cracks wider than 6mm or showing horizontal displacement need foundation repair first. We’ll identify structural issues during assessment and recommend appropriate specialists if needed.

How long does the parging process take?

Most Calgary homes take 1-3 days from prep to final sealing. Complex repairs or full-perimeter projects may take longer. We schedule consecutive days to ensure proper curing between coats.

Contact us to get quality parging services

Increase the value of your home with reliable parging services from Martini Stone Masonry. Give us a call today to discuss your needs or for a free estimate.

Location

40 Fireside Cres, Cochrane, AB T4C 2L4

masonrymartini@gmail.com

Phone

587-227-9122