Stucco siding is very popular, especially in Southern California; but like all maintenance, eventually, you will need stucco siding repair and coating.
Many people have their homes sided with stucco, as they’re lead to believe that it’s almost bulletproof as a coating.
While it’s true that it’s long lasting, as 100 years for stucco isn’t uncommon, you will need to take care of it from time to time. Here’s when you’ll need stucco siding repair on your home, and why elastomeric coating is so important for your home.
When Do You Need Stucco Siding Repair?
Firstly, you’ll need to know when to repair your stucco. When it’s in good shape, your home is safe from all kinds of issues. When a crack or gap appears in it though, that’s a chink in your home’s armor.
Before long, water, pests, and other undesirable things can make their way into your home through it. It’s important that you address these problems before they start.
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of inspecting the stucco on your home. Walk around the building, and take a look at the stucco.
- Is it generally in good repair?
- Are there any issues with the paint?
You may find that the stucco needs repainting, as it gets older and dingy as the years go on. You’re looking for any cracks, gaps or blisters in the stucco. That’s a sign that something is wrong, and that you’ll need to repair it.
Reasons For Stucco Damage
Before stucco siding repair, you need to know how it came to be damaged. This will help you address the problem properly, and ensure that you won’t have to deal with it again in a few months.
Here are a few reasons why your stucco may be damaged:
Incorrectly applied:
Stucco is usually applied in several layers. If one of the layers was put on in the wrong way, then you’ll find that the stucco is more prone to cracking and breaking.
Water damage:
If water gets into the stucco, it damages the structure, leaving it more prone to breaking. You’ve got to be sure that it was applied properly, as being applied in wet weather leaves it weak.
If there’s any water entering the stucco, such as from a downspout or from an improperly sealed window or door, you’ll need to address that before any stucco siding repair.
How to Fix Your Stucco
Now you know why your stucco is damaged, you’ll need to repair it so it’s back to its old self. Luckily, it isn’t too difficult to fix and if you do it right, the patching work you do will last for years to come.
1. Chip Away Damage
Firstly, you’ll need to chip away the stucco that’s damaged. That shouldn’t be too difficult, as you’ll already have an opening from where it cracked or blistered. You can wet the area first, to ensure that there’s minimal dust that comes away from the wall.
2. Apply Tar Paper
Next, you need to apply new tar paper to the spot you’ve exposed on the wall. When applying this paper, ensure that the new paper sits under the old, so there’s an overlap. This will keep any moisture out of the wall, stopping any major indoor leaks in their tracks.
3. Add Metal Lath
Now you need to patch in your new metal lath to the wall. This will be what your new stucco will stick to.
4. Patch With New Stucco
The wall should now be ready to patch up with new stucco. You can usually buy patch kits in hardware stores, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right quantities of cement in order to get the job done right.
Follow the instructions given, and patch the area with it. Leave the patch enough time to cure, before you paint it to match the rest of your home.
Using Elastomeric Coatings On Your Stucco
Once you’ve patched up any issues with your stucco, it’s a good idea to think about repainting the house. Now’s the best time as you know there are no issues with the stucco, so you can paint over it all cleanly.
If you haven’t made any repairs and you’re just thinking of repainting the stucco, the usual time frame for repainting is from 5 to 10 years. If it’s time to paint, then you need to pick the best quality paint available to you. The better the quality of paint, the better it will be able to stand up to the elements.
You really will see a difference if you use better quality paint. It’ll certainly improve your curb appeal, as well as improve the durability of the stucco itself.
Benefits of Coatings
One of the more popular paints used on stucco now is elastomeric paint. This paint is, as the name implies, stretchy. It’s designed to be able to expand and contract as the weather changes.
Because of this, there’s much less risk of the paint cracking as the weather gets colder or hotter, giving you more years out of your paint job before it has to be done again. Elastomeric paint was originally designed for stucco, so it’s one of the best paints to use on the sidings of your home.
Coating Application
When you apply it, you need to ensure that there are no gaps in the paint at all. Elastomeric paint is watertight, but only can be truly waterproof when there are no gaps. It’s easy to see why more homeowners are going with this paint for their sidings. When it’s watertight and stretchy, you’ll see much less damage to your stucco over time.
As water can’t get in, you’re less likely to see water damage to the sidings. As it stretches, there’s going to be less cracking too, which is great news for you.
It’s often a good idea to call in a painting team to handle the painting of your stucco. They’ll be able to paint it cleanly and thoroughly, avoiding gaps and ensuring it’s waterproof in every sense of the word.
Conclusion
Now you know the benefits and necessity of stucco siding repair. Repair it when needed, and paint it with elastomeric coatings to ensure that you’re protecting it from further damage.