WHAT IS STUCCO?
Before you get the information on how to fix the stucco cracks, it is necessary to get the basic knowledge about what stucco is. Stucco is made of an aggregate, a binder (often lime and sand), and water, with decorative components like stones or pebbles, applied as the final coat. Until Portland Cement was created as a reinforcing ingredient for stucco in the 19th century, plaster and stucco were interchangeable (the former was used inside, the latter outside). Their evolutionary paths diverged at that point.
The easiest way to explain stucco is as a cement plaster covering for exterior walls. Some unique mixes use additives to improve flexibility and tensile strength. Due to its sturdiness, aesthetic appeal, and ease of upkeep, stucco has maintained its popularity.
WHAT IS THE USE OF STUCCO?
A stucco installer applies stucco to the inside and external walls. Plaster can be applied manually or mechanically by a professional. This Portland Cement Plaster can be applied to frame structures or concrete wall systems. It can be covered over concrete, cinder block, clay brick, or adobe or used as siding. Consider the cement and sand that are used in stucco. Both substances can withstand heat and fire naturally. Stucco outperforms vinyl and wood, even though no material can withstand fire.
WHAT CREATES CRACKS IN STUCCO?
Cracks in the stucco may be an eyesore and a major warning sign of weakened structural integrity and potential foundation failure.
Stucco cracks are never the actual problem; rather, they are always a symptom of something more serious. Of course, you want to know which stucco cracks should be taken seriously, which are merely a matter of aesthetics, and how stucco cracks can be repaired.
Different factors contribute to stucco cracking from house to house, and different parties may be held accountable. Here are a few typical causes of stucco cracking and potential guilt.
Improperly Mixed:
Stucco must be correctly mixed for it to be durable. When the stucco dries, weak spots will be created if the mixture is poor. Although these weak spots may not be readily apparent, the cracks that form there undoubtedly are. In this instance, whoever mixed the stucco is to blame. The installation contractor you hired might be responsible for the subpar mixture if you hired them.
Poor Application:
The popularity of stucco as an external material makes many contractors busy. They could speed the application process and work too rapidly, failing to secure the laths or skipping processes properly. Small cracks are typical and frequently concealed by paint, but larger cracks and the peeling paint could indicate a concern. An application can go wrong in various ways, such as by not allowing layers to dry or by incorrectly positioning joints.
House Settling:
Homes that have settled are known to creak at night and crack. It may be feasible to hold the builder accountable if your home undergoes crack settling soon after it has been constructed. The stucco develops cracks, particularly if they rushed the process and should have known that the home needed to be stabilized.
Extreme Weather:
After installation, severe weather may cause the stucco to crack. High winds after an application can cause the stucco to shrink and become brittle due to moisture evaporation. Stucco can be cracked by strong storms soon after application.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT STUCCO CONTRACTOR?
Some home improvement tasks shouldn't be attempted as do-it-yourself projects due to their intricacy and extra care. A competent stucco contractor should be contacted to ensure that the exterior of your property receives the proper stucco treatment. If stucco is not put properly, whether mending individual walls or redoing your entire house, you could later encounter major issues that will cost you a lot of money.
Finding the best stucco company to do your house makeover takes time. Spend the time necessary to ensure the stucco contractor you employ is the most qualified to do the job on your house before hiring the first name you come across.
HOW CAN STUCCO CRACKS BE REPAIRED?
Fortunately, stucco is durable and reasonably simple to repair. The necessary measures will be the same whether you want to work with qualified specialists or want to handle the repairs yourself.
1. Thoroughly Clean the Area:
All dirt, junk, dust, etc., must be removed. Typically, a little light power washing is needed for this. We like to utilize the water-based paint prep solution we have specially created. A scraper should be used to get rid of any last bits of loose particles.
2. Damage Repair:
There must be filler in every crevice. The stucco design will need to be repeated when the area is filled in for significant areas of damage. Most cracks are sealed with elastomeric caulking filler. A rubber float can be used to fill in bigger areas with Stucco Repair material. You will need to remove any extra filler and integrate the design with the rest of the wall. Remove any lingering dust or dirt when it dries.
3. Painting:
Matching the wall's original color, paint the repaired area. This can be a problem if the wall's color has faded. This may result in a complete re-paint job in rare circumstances. To prevent extra effort, professionals are typically quite capable of harmonizing the colors on site. When new caulking is required, we prefer to spray a flexible, elastomeric coating first.
4. Clean Up and Spot Checking:
Final inspections and project completion are equally crucial as any other step. Make sure the wall has been completely mended and cleaned while you still have all the tools available.