For the outside of your building, stucco is a durable and sturdy option. It’s adaptable, and it may be used in smooth or textured designs. However, while it is a durable and affordable option for your structure or house, it, like every material, is susceptible to harm.
If you see the indications of deterioration early enough, you might be able to save time and money by doing a partial repair instead of a complete replacement.
Several factors influence whether you can fix stucco yourself or need to contact a professional for stucco repair. Is it a crack or a hole? What is the size of the area that has to be repaired? Do you have any previous experience with a project like this? Knowing what the work entails and the warning indications of a much greater problem that needs the assistance of a professional can assist you in making your selection.
The Advantages of Hiring a Contractor vs. Do-It-Yourself
Stucco that has to be repaired might indicate a more severe problem. Improperly mixed stucco may need to be repaired when it crumbles away from the outside of your house. You may wish to have the top layer scraped by a professional and repainted to prevent the systematic effort and unattractive appearance of significant repairs that don’t exactly match the initial application.
Extensive cracks can indicate a faulty installation, such as incorrectly placing expansion joints, applying a base coat before the stucco has already had time to dry properly and other issues. To minimize big cracks appearing over time, you may want to consider removing & reapplying the topcoat.
Stucco damage can also be caused by house sinking more than planned, harsh weather, and seismic activity. Having a skilled handyman check your home as well as its foundation may help you uncover deeper concerns that could cost you more money in the long run than simply reapplying stucco. And whatever you choose, do not put off stucco repair since doing so might lead to moisture being trapped behind your outside wall, increasing repair expenditures.
Steps to Repair
Depending on the scope of the stucco repair required, different items are used to patch it. To be sure you have the proper compound for the task, read the manufacturer’s directions.
- Using a mason’s chisel & hammer, remove any loose stucco pieces, then brush away any residual debris with both the wire brush. It will leave you with a smooth edge on which to apply the fresh stucco.
- Examine the wire mesh that can be seen through the opening. If any damage is visible, cut a new piece and secure it with galvanized nails.
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions for mixing your stucco-patching compound. Only use enough for a project that will take 10 to 15 minutes because the mixture dries fast. After that time, it will be useless, therefore mixing only enough for each repair location.
- Using the rubber float, press one-fourth inches of the compound into the hole. Continue layering the combination in 14-inch increments until the repair is level with the surrounding medium.
- Using a circular, sweeping motion, clean the rubber float & remove any extra material.
- If required, match the roughness of the surrounding area; for swirls, use a whisk, and for a stippled finish, use a sponge.
- Allow at least 24 hours for the repair to heal.
- Match the colour of the repair to the surrounding environment. You may also add pigment to the stucco patching mixture to pre-match it to the feature wall, but because the compound dries quickly, you could find that the extra step cuts your repair time too short.
- Each repair section of this size should take around an hour from start to finish, each if you have previous expertise working with stucco.
Traditional VS Synthetic Stucco
There are two main types of stucco: traditional and synthetic (EIFS). Let’s look at the distinctions between the two:
Traditional Stucco
Traditional stucco is a tried-and-true substance that has been used for over a century. Traditional stucco is made out of Portland cement, sand, and water, as previously described. It’s robust enough to be utilized on skyscrapers and bridges. As a result, you can rely on its long-term viability.
Traditional stucco is also a good insulator, helping keep your property cool in summer & warm in the winter. Furthermore, classic stucco is very adaptable, allowing it to be adapted to your specific requirements.
Traditional stucco also has the disadvantage of being prone to cracking, and it may turn out various colours than desired depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and drying time.
Synthetic Stucco vs. EIFS
Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS) is an abbreviation for Exterior Insulation Finish Systems, sometimes known as “synthetic stucco” due to its resemblance to conventional stucco. It’s a weather-resistant and vapour-permeable multi-layered exterior finish that binds together to produce a protective surface that doesn’t breathe.
The layers include a water-resistant barrier, the adhesive to attach the insulation board to the structural support, an expandable foam board, a base coat, reinforcing mesh, and a patterned finishing coat.
When tapped on, EIFS sounds hollow compared to solid-sounding classic stucco; thus, you can readily identify whether your building has EIFS rather than traditional stucco.
Although EIFS is more resistant to cracking than typical stucco, if moisture seeps into your walls due to weather or domestic factors, it can quickly become trapped between the layers and cause significant damage.
If you decide to put EIFS stucco on your walls, you should be on the lookout for symptoms of water damage or deterioration.
Stucco Repair in Parts
Your walls could be able to be mended rather than replaced if you discover the damage early enough. An expert can repair smaller cracks or isolated patches of loose stucco.
You may save hundreds of dollars on repairs by spotting cracks and patches early. As a result, it’s critical to recognize and act on warning symptoms as soon as possible.
Bring in a professional to examine the damage as quickly as possible if you see early symptoms of stucco deterioration.
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