How do I clean and maintain a stucco house?

To clean stucco, mix equal parts bleach and water. Apply the mixture to the surface and allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it down with clean water.

How do you maintain stucco exterior?

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. You can do this one of two different ways: using a garden hose or a pressure washer.

Should you power wash stucco?

Yes, you can! We recommend using a pressure washer with a minimum of 1500 – 2800 PSI capabilities. Use a soap nozzle tip to apply to detergent and a 25- or 40-degree nozzle tip to spray the detergent off. Make sure to maintain a distance of 12 to 30 inches from the tip of your nozzle to the stucco wall.

Does stucco need to be maintained?

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 seal 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.

How To Clean Stucco

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.

Should you waterproof 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.

How do I keep my stucco from cracking?

Does bleach harm stucco?

Bleach should not ruin stucco. Over time, stucco can appear dirty or stained as it is constantly exposed to the elements. There are many options available for cleaning stucco, but stucco can easily be damaged by certain cleaning methods.

Is Simple Green safe for stucco?

Simple Green® Siding and Masonry Cleaner

All with a safer, biodegradable formula that won't harm surrounding plants or lawns. It can safely be used to clean and renew siding, stucco, trim, shutters, and other building exteriors as well as brick, block, and stone walls, patios, pathways and more.

Can you soft wash stucco?

Soft washing your stucco home is the best way to remove dirt. Compared with surfaces like concrete, stucco is a fairly delicate material and can be damaged with high pressure washing. When we soft wash stucco, we rely on a custom chemical solution that is plant and animal safe.

What is the lifespan of stucco?

With a lifespan of 50 to 75 years, traditional stucco virtually lasts a lifetime.

What are the problems with stucco houses?

Stucco tears and other discoloration around windows, doors, electrical boxes, pipes, meters, and spotlights. Pervasive scent of wood rot. Water leaking into the house, damaging the ceiling, walls, and flooring. Dry rot around windows.

How do you update a stucco house?

Can you use CLR on stucco?

With stucco, you can't use CLR on painted surfaces. But if the stucco is white (natural color), then it's okay. But most stucco is painted (ex: homes in Florida, California and Southwest States like Texas), and CLR will lighten and break the paint down.

How do you remove black from stucco?

Dissolve the oxygen bleach powder in water and put it in a hand-pump garden sprayer. Saturate the stucco and keep it wet with the solution for up to 30 minutes. Use a stiff scrub brush dipped in the solution to remove the black stains. Adding regular liquid dish soap helps the cleaning.

How do you remove mildew from stucco?

A diluted mixture of oxygen bleach and water is safe to use on stucco. Make a cleaning solution of five parts water and one part bleach. Wearing rubber gloves, spray the bleach solution over the mold area. Gently scrub the area with a sponge and rinse with clean water.

Should I be worried about cracks in stucco?

Larger cracks, we're talking 1/16 of an inch, are cause for concern. If you can slide your credit card into the crack in your stucco, it's time to seek some professional help. Larger cracks like these can indicate a structural issue that needs to be addressed prior to repairing the stucco.

Do hairline cracks need to be repaired in stucco?

Stucco is a cement-based siding that can easily crack that soaks in water and cause water intrusion. Repairing hairline stucco cracks is important for regular home maintenance. However, other types of stucco cracks may require professional repairs.

Are hairline 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.

How can you tell if water is behind stucco?

Stucco Siding and Water Leakage

You'll likely see staining around the corners of windows or doors, possibly dark spots where at the roofline, and even hairline cracks. All of these are indicators of possible water damage and are signs of where water runs on or behind the stucco.

Should stucco be painted?

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.

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.

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.

When should a house be re stuccoed?

After 30 to 50 years of life a stucco building may need to be re-stuccoed. Depending on the condition of the property, and the desires of the owner, there are several options. Our NuWall Inc San Diego Re-Stucco Experts can help with determining the best course of action.