How to Parge a Block Wall

Rinse the bucket or wheelbarrow to dampen the sides and bottom. Pour the sand and cement into the bucket or wheelbarrow. The cement and sand should have mixing instructions to create mortar. Mortar is the type and thickness of cement you need.

Mix the cement and sand with a mixer or garden hoe. Add the appropriate amount of water to the mix according to manufacturer's instructions. To mix mortar blend in the water in intervals. Pour in 1/3 of the water and mix until smooth, then mix another 1/3. Add the last bit of water and stir the mix until the mortar is smooth.

Remove any nails or screws in the concrete walls. Clear out the area around the wall. Leave a three-foot area around the wall completely clear.

Spread drop cloths on the floor along the wall. The drop cloths will protect the floor from dropped mortar.

Spray a light mist of water over the block wall in a three-foot section. The parge will be applied in three-foot sections and each section needs to be misted before the parge is added. Start in the corner for best results.

Dip the trowel in water, then scoop up mortar with the trowel and spread it on the wall. Spread from the bottom up in two-foot intervals. Press the mortar into the holes and uneven places in the block wall with a trowel.

Work your way up the wall applying mortar and overlapping the edges slightly. Continue in the same fashion misting the walls and applying the mortar in two-foot sections from bottom to top until the wall is covered.

Smooth out the mortar with a flat-edged trowel dipped in water.

Allow the mortar to dry for at least 24 hours. Instructions on the cement package will give exact drying and curing times.