What height should parge extend above grade?

What height should parge extend above grade?

• A. 4 Inches
• B. 6 Inches
• C. 8 Inches
• D. 12 Inches

Answer: (B)

Extending parge above grade is about protecting the masonry where soil and moisture meet the wall. Six inches provides a solid, practical shield against splash and dampness at the grade line while keeping material and labor reasonable. It gives enough coverage to deter moisture intrusion and damage from backfill or splash, without the extra cost and potential downsides of higher elevations. Four inches often isn’t enough protection for damp soil and splash in many conditions, so moisture can reach the wall above that height. Eight inches or more adds unnecessary material, cost, and work, and typically doesn’t provide a proportional increase in protection. Twelve inches is simply more than needed for standard protection and can complicate maintenance and detailing. So, six inches above grade is the balanced, commonly recommended height.

Extending parge above grade is about protecting the masonry where soil and moisture meet the wall. Six inches provides a solid, practical shield against splash and dampness at the grade line while keeping material and labor reasonable. It gives enough coverage to deter moisture intrusion and damage from backfill or splash, without the extra cost and potential downsides of higher elevations.

Four inches often isn’t enough protection for damp soil and splash in many conditions, so moisture can reach the wall above that height. Eight inches or more adds unnecessary material, cost, and work, and typically doesn’t provide a proportional increase in protection. Twelve inches is simply more than needed for standard protection and can complicate maintenance and detailing.

So, six inches above grade is the balanced, commonly recommended height.