Did you know that stucco is an excellent building material? Stucco is cement plaster that can be applied to both exterior and interior surfaces. Usually applied to large areas, once it is completely dried it is a sturdy, durable wall covering that can last for years.
But, sometimes even the slightest stresses can make stucco susceptible to cracking, crumbling or blistering. Exterior stucco often ends up cracking due to house settling. Interior problems can also occur to stucco that suddenly crumbles for seemingly no reason. An experienced stucco contractor will repair the cracks and blisters in a way that will allow for additional settling. That way, cracks and blisters will not reappear.
There are a few things you can do to prevent cracks and prolong your stucco finish.
Keep your eye on the weather
Repairs or touch ups are best done when nighttime temps are above 4 degrees Celsius. Windy or hot weather can affect the moisture needed in the mix for proper curing. Your stucco contractor will have the proper experience and knowledge to know the best time to work.
Do regular maintenance
Check your walls regularly for cracks, holes or blisters and call your stucco contractor at the first sign of any damage. Damage caught early can be fairly quick and inexpensive to repair. Holes must be repaired immediately, since they leave an area of the wall exposed and can lead to structural damage. Along with repairing the hole, a good contractor will check for damage caused from the hole.
Watch for water leaks
Water seeping into areas behind the stucco is a huge problem. Check for poor flashing and caulking details around windows, door openings, and roof/wall intersections. Also, if previous repairs were done incorrectly, the stucco can deteriorate even more. A thorough inspection of the affected area, followed by structural repairs, before repairing the stucco, is the most successful way to ensure that cracking and crumbling of stucco will become a thing of the past.
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