Care and Maintenance of your Stucco Home

1 2007 Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc. All Rights is a very durable finish materialwithatypicallife span of 50-80 years or it isone of the most durable surfacesavailable,it also features the lowestannual maintenancecostwhen comparedto other siding anaturalmaterial consistingof anaggregate, abinder, and water. It is appliedwetand hardens when it dries. For centuries it has been used as a coating for walls andceilings and for decoration. Stucco may also be used to cover less visually appealingconstruction materials such as concrete, cinder block,clay brick is made ofPortlandcementand water. Lime is often added todecrease the permeability and increase the workability of modern Stucco . Sometimesadditives such as acrylics and glass fibers are added to improve the structural propertiesof the plaster as well as its workability.

2 This is usually done with what is considered a"one coat" Stucco system (as opposed to the traditional 3 coat method). Stucco usuallyconsists of onelayer of wire lath andtwolayers ofPortlandcement-based , cement's crystalline structure cannot accommodate significant movements inthe building structure (as lime does) and is thus prone to cracking. This is why anadditional acrylic finish on topis often applied-it adds flexibility for ,Never PaintStuccoThe reason most homeowners paint their Stucco is because thetypicalcost of re-stuccoing(re-dashing)is more than just hiring a painter to paint over the existing seemingly less expensive upfront,painting Stucco causes significantly higherlong-term maintenancecostsand may even damage your home . Paint is a sealing agentand will seal all the pores, whichconsequentlyseals moisture inside ofyour home .

3 Yourhome is not able to breathe and mold can grow between the layers of your home . Thisexcess moisture will cause the paint layer to peel and crack. On a Stucco surface, becauseof the trapped moisture,paint starts decayingmore quickly than on a traditional correct repair isto hire a sandblastingcontractorto remove the existing paint andthen to re- Stucco the surface existing paint needs to be removed becausethe paintlayer willprohibit proper bonding of a new Stucco methods of re-dashingprovide a productthat lasts decades and far longer than any paint andMaintenance ofyour Stucco home 2007 Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc. All Rights consists ofa single layer of thePortlandcement, with colorantapplied to coverand freshen the are made to cracks and minor imperfections in thesurface and then thenew coatis applied.

4 This will provide a new look and keep with theintegrity of the existing a new texture is required,a thicker coat is required,andcan add additional is the nature of Stucco to experience some small cracks are normal anddo not require any Maintenance or repair. If a crack exceeds 1/8 of an inch in width thenthe crack should be repaired. Repairing Stucco cracks is completed by adding a smallamount of Stucco to the crack. Do not putcaulk into the crack. If you experience a crackwider than 1/8 of an inch please contact your contractor so the proper resolution can a larger crack can be broken back and patched or an expansionjoint can be Inspection and Cleaning ofStuccoStucco should be inspected annually for holes, significant cracks, or separations. Ifstucco repairs are needed, it is important to have the repairs completed in a timely fashionto prevent damage to your mild cleaner and water can be used to remove most stains.

5 Pre-wetting the surface willovercome some absorption of dirty wash water from being absorbed back into the dullfinish. Use of a garden hose and a jet nozzle in combination with a mild cleaner willclean effectively. Do not hold the nozzle to close to the surface because the high pressuremay erode some of the washers are not recommended because they willerode the finish and can cause ColorationStucco comes in an infinite number of colors. These colors are made by placing anadditive into the cement mixture prior to application. The color is throughoutthe layerand will not fade like a painted finish. The full curing time for Stucco is typically severalyears. During this time you will notice several color changes from dark to light, and thenback to dark as the finish sets and the excess moisture typical Stucco application requires a 30 day cure time betweenthefirst applicationand thefinalfinished coat.

6 It is required that the final coat be done in dry warmweather. your Stucco contractor shouldreturn after the 30 day cure cycle is complete. 2007 Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc. All Rights ItemsThe Stucco on your home has been installed to stop water penetration. If incidental waterdoes enter through the Stucco ,a water-resistant membrane installed behind the Stucco willprevent it from entering your home and causing damage. It is essential not to penetratethe Stucco wall or the weather-resistant membrane with nails, screws, staples, or anyother it be required to attach items to your Stucco walls,it is important tohire a professional craftsman toensure that the proper hardware fasteners are and Sprinkler SystemsGutters or sprinkler systems should direct water away from the Stucco walls of yourhome.

7 Thecontinual spraying of water onto Stucco walls can damage Stucco , createstains, and allow green algae to grow on Stucco , Doors, and Other PenetrationsWhere Stucco meets a window,door, electrical box, dryer vent, or anyother wallpenetration,you may notice a small expansion gap. Gaps are normal and should beexpectedsince dissimilar materials expand at different rates. Such gaps can allow forexcessive amounts of water to get past the Stucco and therefore should be caulked on anannual basis. Using a quality tube caulking from your local hardware store,applythecaulkto the cracks using a small putty knife or your finger to ensure it fills the weepholes are at the bottom of each windowsill. They allow water to exit fromthe windowsill track. Using a small pin or paperclip annually inspect these holes toensure they are clear of debris.