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.

What does mold look like on stucco?

Identifying Exterior Mold on Stucco

Mold on exterior stucco looks pretty much like mold on anything else. It can present as green, dark brown or black patches and streaks, or fuzzy-looking stains. Check around your gutters, around windows and doors, and along the base of your walls.

Can you get mold on stucco?

Due to its textured surface, though, stucco can accumulate large amounts of dirt, grime, mold, and algae. Over time, these pollutants can not only age the appearance of a property, but they can also cause long-term damage.

How do you check for mold in stucco?

Myth #1: Mold Is Always Visible

Mold is stealthy. It can hide in the smallest of places including underneath your stucco. The only way you'd be able to see this mold is by removing the stucco entirely. If the mold continues to grow and get worse, you will notice dark spots or discoloration on your stucco walls.

Why is there mold on stucco?

For example, flooding can lead to large amounts of ground water and dirt penetrating the bottom of your wall, causing the perfect opportunity for mold to grow inside of your stucco wall. To prevent serious cases like this, be sure that you install proper drainage outside of your home.

How To Prevent Mold On Stucco

Should you power wash stucco?

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.

How do you know if stucco is bad?

How often should stucco be sealed?

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.

What is the main problem with stucco?

There are several stucco problems that you can encounter. The most common ones are staining and discoloration, stucco cracking, and moisture intrusion. Other problems include stucco extending below grade and caulking. Some of these issues will need either repair or remediation.

How long does a stucco exterior last?

Stucco is a very durable finish material with a typical life span of 50-80 years or more. Although it is one of the most durable surfaces available, it also features the lowest annual maintenance cost when compared to other siding materials. Stucco is a natural material consisting of an aggregate, a binder, and water.

How do you prevent mold on outside walls?

What happens when water gets behind stucco?

Water leakage is a common issue with stucco in areas where seasonal rain is the norm. If water gets behind stucco it will soften the areas it comes in contact with, eventually causing the stucco to break away and fall off in sheets.

How do you clean stucco on a 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.

Does mold armor work on stucco?

Great for use as a vinyl, brick, stucco, aluminum, concrete, painted wood, trim, PVC, plastic, masonry, gutter and siding cleaner. To use as mold remover or mildew remover, spray surrounding plants with water before and after use.

Can you replace stucco on a house?

The short answer is yes. Just as you can change siding to stone or stone veneer to stucco on a home, you can absolutely change stucco to siding. The real challenge comes into play if there is water or some other underlying damage that needs to be addressed before any other work is done.

Does wet and forget work on stucco?

Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End is an easy spray-and-leave outdoor cleaner that stamps out unsightly mold and mildew stains on brick and stucco – no scrubbing required!

Is it safe to buy a stucco house?

Stucco can tolerate moisture and expansion only up to a certain point. It is not as good as brick veneer or vinyl siding for keeping water out of the exterior walls of your house during periods of heavy rain. It will repel water well in average climates, but it may not be recommended in extremely rainy areas.

Is stucco good for a house?

Stucco is a cement, sand, and water mixture, so it stays rigid, even in strong winds. Many folks may even prefer buying a stucco home over, for example, a brick structure. Additionally, stucco is fire- and pest-resistant, making it one of the most ideal residential building materials.

Why does stucco turn black?

The black stains you see could be an accumulation of the dead, dark-colored cells of the hardy algae Gloeocapsa magma, which feeds on the calcium carbonate in the unpainted stucco mixture. But it's easy to remove the black stains — whether they're mold, mildew or algae — with oxygen bleach.

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 repainted?

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.

Can water go 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 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.

What does water damage look like on stucco?

Cracks and bubbles along the bottom edge of the wall — Resulting from a poor drainage system, water leaking through stucco walls shows up along the bottom edge. If you see dense cracks or odd bubbles, you're looking at the signs of stucco damage.

What are the disadvantages of stucco?