If your stucco is looking shabby and needs some TLC, there are several steps you can take to repair it. However, if you have more serious problems, a professional Stucco Repair Charleston SC should be contacted.
Use sanded acrylic exterior caulk to fill cracks no wider than a dime. A cold chisel and hammer can widen cracks, but be careful not to overdo it.
Stucco is a cement-based product applied in layers over wood lath to give a wall its texture. It is designed to withstand harsh weather and UV rays. But like any construction material, stucco can have issues from time to time. The most common problem is cracks that may or may not be structural in nature. If the cracks are structural in nature and you notice this, it is important to seek professional help.
The smallest cracks, less than 1/16th of an inch, are usually only cosmetic in nature and should be repaired using caulking. This will fill the cracks and allow them to expand and contract with temperature changes without causing any further damage or forming larger cracks.
Larger cracks, however, are not so easy to fix and usually indicate a structural issue that must be addressed before trying to repair the cracked stucco. These large cracks can develop at corners of walls, the upper edges of window and door frames, or the junction of wood framing with concrete/brick masonry. These cracks are a clear indication of movement within the structure and should be repaired immediately to prevent further problems.
If you are unsure whether the cracks are a structural issue or not, try this test at home: simply slide a credit card into the crack to see how wide it is. If the credit card is easily inserted, this indicates that the crack is wider than a hairline and that it is time to seek professional help.
Another sign of a structural issue is if the stucco separates from the wall. This is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and will require professional repairs. This separation can be caused by a number of things, including drooping or shifting of the underlying wall. In this case, a structural engineer will need to examine the foundation, roof and framing of the building to determine the cause of the problem and correct it accordingly.
The last thing you want to do is attempt to fix the cracks yourself with various caulks and cement. These products will not stick to stucco and will only cause the cracks to open up again and possibly get worse over time. The best way to fix a crack in stucco is to remove a small section of the broken stucco and take a closer look at the footings, framing and roof of the building to see what the underlying issue is.
Woodpeckers peck holes in a variety of structures to make nests, mark territory, and find food. They are most commonly found in the eastern US and northwestern Canada, but these birds can be seen in all parts of the country. During their search for a place to live or eat, they often damage stucco and other building materials such as concrete, asphalt, and cinder block. The constant drumming and hammering can lead to moisture leaks, cracking, and other problems for the homeowner or business owner.
Fortunately, there are ways to deter woodpeckers from drilling holes into your stucco exterior. Some options include hanging a woodpecker deterrent that emits a loud noise to scare the bird away, or using a reflective material or coating on the surface of your house to scare the woodpeckers. Other methods, like placing a birdhouse or installing motion-activated sprinklers can also help to keep the woodpeckers away.
If you’ve noticed that your home is getting hit with a lot of bird damage, it’s important to have the issue repaired by an experienced Phoenix stucco contractor as soon as possible. By addressing the problem early on, you can save yourself a lot of money in maintenance costs down the line.
One of the most common causes of bird damage to EIFS is a breach in the system. This occurs when water seeps into the foam and expands as it freezes, pushing the coatings away from the substrate. This can lead to blisters and other problems.
Another way to prevent bird damage is to ensure that your house is properly insulated and installed by an expert in the field. This is essential because a poorly insulated and installed exterior can also contribute to moisture infiltration.
If you’re experiencing a lot of woodpecker damage to your EIFS stucco, it’s time to call in a professional to assess the situation and get the problem fixed before it worsens or allows moisture to penetrate into your home or business. Contact our experienced team to learn more about how we can help with your stucco repairs and get a free estimate on the cost.
Stucco is an attractive, durable building material, but it isn’t impervious to certain threats. One of the biggest threats that stucco faces is water damage, which can lead to serious structural problems if not addressed promptly.
Moisture intrusion in a stucco exterior is often caused by leaky windows or poor sealing around those windows and other areas of the wall system. This moisture penetration can rot the wooden beams that support the walls of your home, and if left unchecked, may cause the entire wall to collapse.
Some warning signs of water damage in stucco include the development of unattractive spots or marks on your exterior walls and ceilings, as well as cracked or crumbling stucco. If you notice these warning signs, it’s important to consult with a stucco repair professional right away.
Moisture damage in your stucco can be fixed using a number of techniques, including patching, spray coating, or a full remediation. While the latter option may sound invasive, it’s usually necessary to prevent larger problems from developing. Moisture that builds up in and behind your stucco will not easily dry out, leading to additional problems like rot and mold growth. A skilled contractor will be able to stop this cycle before it worsens.
A patching job is typically the most cost-effective solution for water damage in stucco, but it’s important to note that this method does not address the underlying issues. It’s also important to keep in mind that moisture damage in your stucco isn’t always covered by your homeowners insurance policy, depending on the specific cause of the problem.
A full remediation is a more invasive service, but it’s also the best way to ensure that your stucco is waterproof. The process involves removing the damaged stucco layers down to the base layer of your wall, and then replastering that area to seal it up from moisture. This is the only way to ensure that your stucco is protected from moisture intrusion for good.
Mold can occur on stucco walls, especially in humid climates, but it’s usually not a sign of the structure itself being at fault. Instead, it’s often a sign that the building was not built correctly or maintained properly, which can lead to moisture intrusion behind the stucco surface. This trapped moisture allows the growth of molds and wood destroying organisms such as termites.
A common cause of mold in stucco is poor gutter installation and improper downspouts, which can allow water to pool on the ground and seep under the foundation. In addition, improperly installed soffit vents and eave vents can also contribute to moisture intrusion that may promote mold and mildew growth.
Stucco can be stained or painted to hide mildew and mold stains, but repairing the stain without correcting the cause is like putting tape over a leaking pipe—it will fix the problem temporarily, but it won’t resolve the underlying issue. Stucco repair contractors can help you solve these problems and keep them from coming back in the future.
In cases of severe mold, you may need to remove and replace the infected portions of the stucco wall before re-applying it. If you’re going to attempt this, make sure to take precautions and use a respirator or a mask. Once the mold is removed, you can apply a stucco patch kit or commercial stucco mix to fill and re-coat the area.
To find the best stucco repair mix for your job, look for kits that come pre-mixed or buy a conventional stucco repair mix and add coloring pigment to match your existing color. Once mixed, trowel on the mix in the same manner as you would for a small crack. Let it dry overnight and then paint or repaint.
If you need to repair a larger area of the stucco, use tin snips to cut a piece of house wrap to the size of the damaged section. Secure this to the studs or sheathing using a staple gun and then nail down a layer of building paper on top of it. You can then follow the steps in the first method to re-install the new stucco.