How to Repair Stucco

Stucco can endure for 100 years or more, but that doesn’t mean it is impervious. Cracks and holes that develop in the surface let in water that can quickly lead to further damage to the stucco and the underlying surfaces. Patches of stucco can also break free from the wood or metal lath is it adhered to, resulting in loose areas that can grow over time. In this way, small holes often turn into bigger ones, along with more moisture exposure and damage.

Areas of stucco that have come loose or completely fallen away must be repaired with a full restoration process of removing the loose material, installing new building paper and metal lath, and applying three coats of stucco repair mix. Alternatively, if the original stucco is 3/4-inch thick or less, you can apply a single layer of stucco patch (up to 3/4-inch thick) and trowel it to the desired finish.

While it’s possible to mix your own stucco using traditional recipes, using a good-quality premixed stucco repair mix ensures you get the right mix for the application. These products are blended for exceptional strength and bonding and can be applied and colored just like standard stucco. A quick-setting formula also dries much more quickly than traditional stucco, making the repair process considerably faster.

Remove the Loose Stucco

Remove all loose or otherwise damaged stucco in the repair area by tapping it with a hammer and a cold chisel. Break away the loose pieces until you reach solidly adhered stucco along the entire perimeter of the area. Be careful not to damage the underlying wood lath or sheathing.

If there is metal lath under the stucco, cut it out along the perimeter, using metal snips. Remove all nails or screws securing the lath, and remove the lath from the wall.

Add Building Paper

Cut two pieces of grade D building paper to fit the patch area. Each piece should cover all exposed wood materials to create an effective moisture barrier.

Staple the first piece of paper to the wood lath or plywood sheathing, as applicable. Staple the second piece of paper over the first.

Install Metal Lath

Cut a piece of galvanized metal mesh stucco lath, using metal snips. As with the building paper, the lath should match the repair area so there are no gaps between the lath and the edges of the original (well-adhered) stucco.

Position the lath over the building paper and fasten it with galvanized roofing nails. The nails must be long enough to penetrate 1 inch into the wood framing members behind the original lath or, if the wall has plywood sheathing, nails should penetrate the full depth of the sheathing.

Mix the First Batch of Stucco

Mix a batch of quick-setting repair stucco, following the manufacturer’s directions, using a drill and mixing paddle or, for large quantities, a mortar mixer.

Keep the mixed stucco in a shaded area, and be ready to apply it as soon as it is mixed. Quick-setting stucco typically has a working time of 45 minutes or less, so mix only as much as you can apply in that time.

Apply the Scratch Coat

Spray the edges of stucco around the patch area with water (to prevent premature drying of the new stucco). Scoop a fist-size amount of wet stucco onto a trowel, then sling the stucco onto the metal lath to embed the wet mix into the openings in the mesh. The stucco should be able to hold onto the mesh by itself.

Repeat the process to cover the entire patch area, then smooth the stucco into a flat, even layer that is within 1/2 inch of the original stucco surface. Carefully press and smooth the wet stucco along the edges of the patch to bond the new stucco with the old.

Scarify the scratch coat with a trowel or scarifier, then let the coat cure as directed the mix manufacturer. You may need to water-cure the stucco by spraying it with water periodically. Curing may take only one to two hours, depending on the conditions and the stucco product.

Apply the Brown Coat

Mix a batch of stucco for the second, or brown, coat. Trowel the stucco onto the patch surface in a smooth, even layer that is recessed 1/8 inch from the surrounding original stucco. Let the brown coat cure as directed, misting with water, as applicable.

Apply the Final Coat

Mix a batch of stucco for the final, or color, coat. This coat can be a standard or custom-order color to achieve the desired look. However, it is very difficult to color-match a patch so that is blends with the surrounding stucco; hiding a patch completely often requires painting or coating the entire wall with a compatible paint or pigmented coating.

Apply the final coat with a trowel so it is flush with the surrounding area. Texture the coat, if desired, to match the original finish. Let the stucco cure as directed.

This article was cross posted from thebalancesmb.com. Original post can be read in it’s entirety here.

Original post here: How to Repair Stucco

Repairing Stucco Walls

Image Credit: www.doityourself.com

Stucco as a siding material has a well-deserved reputation as a practical option. Just some of the reasons people like stucco walls are its minimal maintenance requirements, looks (many people prefer the appearance of stucco over vinyl siding because it gives a home a unique look), and great wind blocking and insulation value. However, since stucco is a cement mixture and is very hard, it can crack or even get a hole if hit with a heavy blow like a tree branch. Fortunately repairing stucco is a job a competent DIY’er can take on with confidence with quite likely the hardest part being color matching the old stucco and the repair. Here’s how to repair a stucco wall.

Stucco Cracks

Thin cracks are usually quite easy to repair and should be fixed before they become bigger. Often very fine cracks can be filled and hidden by a coat of exterior acrylic paint color matched to the original stucco color.

Cracks too thick to be filled with paint can usually be repaired with exterior latex (paintable) caulk. Choose a caulk close in color to the original stucco to fill the crack then allow it to dry before painting over the repair with color matching paint. Putting some sand on the caulk while it’s still wet can help it blend with the surrounding stucco and give it a rough surface similar to the original stucco.

Cracks too big to be fixed with caulk can be repaired using either premixed acrylic stucco patching compound available at home and hardware stores or mixing and applying the same stucco mix that was originally applied to the wall.

Stucco Holes

Repairing a hole in a stucco wall will require a little patience and some practice. The hardest part is probably going to be matching the appearance of the original stucco. Try mixing some small batches of stucco tinted to closely match the original. Applying the different batches to small boards will allow you to figure out which mixture comes closest to being a match.

After determining the proper stucco mixture the next step is preparing the damaged surface to accept the repair. Start by removing any loose pieces of stucco in the hole and it’s often a good idea to also remove some undamaged stucco around the hole to be sure you will be applying your repair to a solid wall. Use the blower outlet on a shop vacuum to get rid of any dust left behind.

If the underlying wire mesh or tar paper has been damaged you will need to get cut out the damaged area and install and firmly fasten new paper and mesh before you start.

Apply your patch in layers, first filling the hole about half full then allowing the stucco to partially dry before drawing horizontal lines in the moist repair with a pointed piece of metal. After the first layer has dried apply a second coat to within 1/8 inch of the surface and once again give it time to dry. Finish the repair by applying and texturing the final coat.

What You’ll Need

Yourself
Exterior latex paintable caulk
Paint
Sand
Stucco
Shop vacuum
Small wood boards
Paintbrush
Trowel
Gloves

NOTE: This article was cross posted from doityourself.com and the original can be read here.

Original post here: Repairing Stucco Walls

3 Common Stucco Problems: How They Happen & How We Can Fix Them

Stucco homes are a bit of a conundrum. When stucco is done right, it can help make your home more energy efficient, fire retardant, and less susceptible to noise pollution. However, if a stucco exterior is poorly installed or not properly maintained, there are several serious issues which can arise and end up damaging your home. Most of the time, these issues are water related and have to do with excess moisture becoming trapped in your home. There are three very common issues which result from poor craftsmanship in the installation of stucco or poor maintenance practices:

Staining

If your stucco is untreated, rainfall can really take a toll on the exterior of your home. Rain brings with it a variety of contaminants which can become absorbed into the stucco and lead to stains. The rainwater can also wash contaminants from your roof and windows into your stucco. Over time, this leads to deposits of contaminants in your stucco as well as an overall deterioration of the stucco. The solution to this common problem involves a three step process. First, our stucco remediation team will use environmentally neutral protects to remove the contaminants. Next, we use a low pressure water spray to clean the stucco. Finally, after fixing the problem through these first two steps, we apply a water-resistant sealer to prevent these same problems from recurring in the future.

Cracking

There are two types of cracking problems in stucco homes – localized issues and more comprehensive ones. Localized cracking is normally due to water damage below the surface, while general cracking throughout the home may be a result of shotty workmanship when the stucco was installed. For the first issue, our stucco repair team will work to address joint work and install our coating system, which will greatly strengthen your stucco without changing its look. If the cracking is due to more serious flaws due to poor stucco installation, we recommend a full stucco replacement with our premium quality stucco system.

Mold

When dealing with issues of excess moisture and water retention, mold is always a concern. This issue is much more serious than the others, as it can hurt your home as well as your family. When this happens, the first step is to identify and eradicate the source of the trapped water. Next, we’ll remove the stucco affected by the excess moisture. We then identify the possible structural causes and our stucco remediation team works to fix them and remove rotting wood. Finally, we install our own stucco system and high-end water management system in order to prevent future problems.

Free Stucco Quotes

If you’re the owner of a stucco home and are struggling with moisture related issues, there is good news. Once you’ve identified the problems, our team of stucco repair experts can help you to address them. We won’t simply give you a surface level solution, but instead will work to get to the root cause of the issue. From there, we’ll go back and give your stucco system a complete overhaul – this time with premium quality craftsmanship you can trust to prevent any future issues.

NOTE:

This article was written by Gavin Semrow for airestoration.com and was reposted. Original post can be read here.

Original post here: 3 Common Stucco Problems: How They Happen & How We Can Fix Them