How To Repair Exterior Stucco

As a building owner, you want to make sure that every part of the structure you occupy is in perfect working order. This is why any flaws such as cracks, dents, and other damage can be alarming. After all, people occupy that place and you want it to be as safe and secure as possible.

Many people know that building exteriors are built to be more durable, which is why they tend to pay less attention to it. However, if you notice any flaws or damages in your exterior stucco, you should act promptly.

Want to learn why your exterior stucco gets damaged, why you should do immediate repairs, and how to repair it? Here’s what you need to know.

Table of Contents

3 Major Reasons Why Stuccos Get Damaged

There are different ways exterior stucco gets damaged, and these can have varying effects depending on the type of damage and its magnitude. Check out some of the most common reasons for damaged stuccos.

Water or Moisture

Water is the common enemy for many construction materials. Stucco can withstand exposure to water. The thing is it can develop problems due to frequent and prolonged exposure to moisture. This can result in a wide variety of issues such as staining, mold, and hydraulic pressure.

Wicking is also a huge issue with stucco plaster. This is when moisture is absorbed by the plaster because of improper installation and overexposure to water.

Most buildings are prone to having their exterior stucco damaged due to water or moisture because plumbing runs inside walls. This is especially true if the structure is surrounded by gardens, which need frequent watering.

Cracks

Stucco sidings can also be prone to cracks due to impact and other similar situations. Water damage can also contribute to cracking, especially at the corners of openings like doors and windows. Cracks can be big or small, but they can have a huge impact, especially when the situation involves water.

This issue can be out of your control, especially if it involves external factors such as accidents and natural disasters.

Dry Rot

Dry rot is another issue for stucco sidings that comes with a wooden foundation or backing. It is caused by a type of fungi that causes the fast decay of wood. This name is a misnomer because it is caused by moisture. Dry rot typically goes hand-in-hand with cracks and water damage.

This can be more of a wood material problem than a stucco issue. However, if the wooden panel swells, it can cause cracks on your exterior stucco, which provides more openings for damage.

Why Immediate Exterior Stucco Repairs are Important

Now that you know what to look for when inspecting your exterior stucco, you might be at a loss at what to do. What you should keep in mind is that immediate action is required when it comes to issues with your stucco siding.

The reason for this is that such problems can develop into bigger ones if you don’t act promptly. Take cracks, for example. No matter how big or small the issue is, it can grow more complicated because water can easily enter these openings, creating much larger trouble than before.

What you need to do is to have your stucco repaired immediately by a professional, or you can do it yourself. This may sound intimidating, but with the right materials, tools, and a bit of handiness, you can make your exterior siding look good once again.

How to Repair a Damaged Exterior Stucco

To make sure that the problem does not spread or develop into a more complicated one, a great way to proceed is to repair it yourself. Not sure how to do so? The following is a step-by-step guide on how to repair damaged exterior stucco.

Gather your materials. You will need cement, sand, and water to create the stucco mixture. You will also need a metal trowel, wire brush, scraper, and some chicken wire.
Determine the extent of the damage by visually inspecting the sidings. Exterior stucco damages are easy to find as they tend to manifest physically. Look out for cracked, loose, and stained sidings.
Try to find the source of the issue. If your building has a water source near the location of the damage, try to see how moisture reaches that part of the siding. If no water source is near the place, you might want to look at other possible issues such as plumbing leaks. Try to look for signs of impact or remember if an earthquake recently occurred.
Make sure to address the source of the issue. For earthquakes and impacts, the best thing you can do is to repair the damage as soon as possible.
You can start the repair by removing all loose materials using a scraper. Be mindful of other parts that are not loose and can remain viable when not forced.
Clear the area and remove any excess materials, dust, and other debris.
Using a wire brush, create a rough area at the place you want to apply new stucco. Make sure to install new chicken wire if those are damaged.
Prepare the stucco mixture by adding small parts of cement, sand, and water in a viable. Keep in mind that the consistency should have just the right thickness to work. If the mixture is too thick or loose, you can add water or cement and sand until you get the right consistency.
Using a trowel, get a glob of stucco and place it onto the area that needs fixing. Make sure to spread the paste evenly. You need a metal trowel to create half-circle patterns as a start, then smooth it over using straight lines for the finishing touches.

The Bottom Line

Exterior stucco needs some taking care of, especially if they become damaged. If you find such a structural problem, you need to take the right action to prevent it from getting bigger.

With this guide, you can repair the area yourself. For a more foolproof move, get in touch with professionals.