How often should stucco be cleaned?

Stucco walls can be washed and should be washed two to three times a year in order to maintain the finish coat's ability to shine and function the way it should.

Does stucco need maintenance?

Stucco isn't delicate. Whether applied as exterior siding or as a finish for interior walls, the age-old material requires little in the way of ongoing maintenance. Occasional cleaning or patching may be necessary, but with the right combination of products and tools, any homeowner can get the job done.

How do you maintain stucco?

Stucco should be inspected annually for holes, significant cracks, or separations. If stucco repairs are needed, it is important to have the repairs completed in a timely fashion to prevent damage to your home. A mild cleaner and water can be used to remove most stains.

How often should you reseal stucco?

If new, stucco can be sealed with a clear concrete/ masonry sealer, which will penetrate into the stucco and stop moisture entrance. These are typically silicone type sealers. While effective, these finishes will usually need to be redone every 4-5 years.

Should you pressure wash a stucco house?

Unfortunately, the textured surface of stucco is notorious for accumulating dust and dirt over time. This can turn a once-beautiful wall into a nightmare of dirt streaks and mildew growth. Luckily, the power of a pressure washer can blast the stains away and make your walls look new again.

Stucco Care

How do I clean my stucco house?

In a bucket or large container, mix 1.5 cups Simple Green Oxy Solve House and Siding Cleaner in a gallon of water. Hose down the siding. Use a soft-bristle brush to apply the cleaning mixture in sections, scrubbing firmly enough to clean without damaging the siding surface.

Why you should not paint stucco?

Stucco needs to breath – One of the main reasons you shouldn't coat your stucco with paint is because stucco is porous. This allows moisture that hits the surface to easily evaporate away. A coat of paint can harm that breathability.

How often should a stucco house be painted?

Stucco is a popular exterior choice due to its durability. However, a stucco home will still need exterior maintenance. It is often recommended that stucco be painted every 5-10 years depending on its current condition.

Does stucco add value to a home?

Whether you're building a new home or simply renovating your existing one, stucco installation is something you should consider in your plans. Stucco is a durable and reliable siding material that can increase the value of your home.

Should I waterproof My stucco?

Waterproofing is essential for almost every building project. If not properly sealed, structures will allow moisture to seep into materials, where it can become trapped. If this moisture does not drain properly, it can cause rotting, damage and mold. With this in mind, it's important to properly waterproof stucco.

What is wrong with stucco houses?

Stucco homes can develop cracks overtime for a myriad of reasons. Shifting land, the wrong mixing proportions, and poor workmanship are a few possible causes for your home to develop cracks. Not only does this look bad, but cracks going deeper than surface level can lead to significant issues for your home.

Does stucco need to be replaced?

Repair should generally only be done if the damage to your stucco is surface level. If there are small cracks, no mold or moisture present, and the stucco is relatively new, repair might be all you require.

Are cracks in stucco normal?

In short, hairline stucco cracks are common and can be easily repatched. Most are not a serious indicator of foundation damage or structural disrepair. However, hairline cracks caused by foundation settlement will likely reappear after the repair and worsen.

Does stucco fade over time?

Does stucco color fade? Yes. Like all interior and exterior paint, stucco paint fades over time.

Is white stucco hard to keep clean?

White stucco houses can look fantastic and it is one of the cleanest colors that you can choose from. I have seen some awesome examples of white stucco houses and there are certain elements that make the beautiful ones stand out.

Is it better to roll or spray paint stucco?

Stucco can be painted using a roller or with an airless sprayer – a brush is not recommended. A roller works well for small jobs, but can be overwhelming on larger projects. When it comes to big jobs consider using an airless sprayer. It makes putting paint on a breeze – especially on larger jobs.

What material is under stucco?

Sheathing is basically the “backing material” that can be found underneath the various layers of stucco that form the backing of residential and commercial buildings. They can be made out of wood, cement, gypsum, fiberglass and other materials.

How much does it cost to repaint a stucco house?

The cost to paint a stucco house will average $4,500 for a 2,000-square-foot home with a new stucco exterior. Smaller houses may only cost $3,600 to paint. Larger houses could cost $7,200 or more. Depending on typical costs for your area and type of project, you might pay between $1.80 and $3.60 per square foot.

Can water seep through stucco?

Despite what many people think about stucco walls, stucco walls are not water-resistant. As a matter of fact water actually absorbs into the stucco. In most cases, the problem with water leaking through stucco is that the building envelope has been breached.

Does mold grow on stucco?

Because of stucco's non-absorbent surface, when mold grows on stucco it will generally grow directly on the surface. There must be two important factors involved for the mold to be able to grow, these are water, and organic materials, which feed the mold.

Can you leave stucco unpainted?

The short answer is... yes, stucco can be left unpainted for a short period of time or forever! Most stucco systems (not EIFS) use cement based products in their base coats and in some cases in the finish coat too (traditional finishes) which are proven to last long periods of time.

Should stucco be sealed before painting?

New stucco should be sealed with a clear concrete masonry sealer, typically made of a silicone material. For older stucco that's already showing signs of cracking, waterproof elastomeric paints are an excellent choice to preserve and protect your stucco.