Does rain 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 let water in?

Since stucco is a masonry product, it is often believed to be waterproof already. However, this isn't totally true — stucco is indeed permeable and will let some water through.

How does water get behind stucco?

Water may be getting behind the stucco through windows or other areas (possibly through improperly installed flashing). Some homeowners will deal with the mold at the surface and think that knocks the problem out.

Does stucco waterproof?

With so many people who own stucco homes struggling with wall rot, there has been a renewed interest in the subject of waterproofing stucco. Stucco itself is fairly waterproof on its own, but stucco walls and openings in those walls need to be correctly installed in order to achieve true waterproofing.

Does stucco absorb water?

Poorly Made Stucco — Building materials are meant to repel moisture, but if it's made poorly, stucco absorbs the water instead.

Identifying Water Intrusion Through Stucco

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.

Should I seal my stucco?

Sealing your stucco is a great way to prevent water absorption. 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.

What's the purpose of stucco?

Stucco or render is a construction material made of aggregates, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as a decorative coating for walls and ceilings, exterior walls, and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture.

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.

Does stucco need weep holes?

Weep screeds are generally only used on walls constructed with wood framing, and are not required on stucco-coated masonry structures or when adhered stone is installed over masonry.

How long does it take for exterior stucco to dry?

In a traditional three-coat stucco system, the finish coat must be cured using the same practices as base coats. Moist-curing can be terminated after 48 to 72 hours, but the finish coat should remain uncoated for at least seven days to prevent coating failure or poor bonding.

What happens if it rains after stucco?

Finish Coats: The finish coat is a little harder to apply in the rain and you want to take extra precautions that no rain gets onto your finish material. This is the last coat of the stucco process and rain can distort the color and appearance of the final look of the stucco.

What goes behind stucco walls?

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.

What do you put behind stucco?

Because stucco is porous, the base—typically plywood or oriented-strand board sheathing—must have at least one layer of weather-resistant, vapor-permeable asphalt-impregnated building paper (“felt”) or plastic-based building wraps or stucco wraps.

How often do you need to paint a stucco house?

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.

Are cracks in stucco a problem?

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.

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.

How often does stucco need to 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.

Can You Use Flex Seal on stucco?

A: You can use Flex Paste on a wide variety of surfaces such as wood, glass, tile, concrete, aluminum, metal, brick, stucco, masonry, copper, fabric, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, natural stones, roofing, PVC, EIFS, EPDM, CSPE, Hypalon polyurethanes and so much more.

Are stucco homes hard to maintain?

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.

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.

How long does paint on stucco last?

Stucco is a durable and great-looking exterior finish, but it isn't invincible. Ideally, stucco should be painted every five to ten years. It's important to paint and perform other stucco maintenance on the right schedule to keep your home looking great and to prevent hairline cracks from growing larger.

Is stucco exterior expensive?

While we don't recommend this being the end all, be all factor to consider, it's very important. Right off the bat, you'll notice that stucco siding is a much more expensive option than vinyl siding. Stucco costs about $6-$9/square foot which is the most expensive home cladding option available.