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.

How do you know 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.

What's usually behind 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.

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.

How do you fix moisture in stucco?

If you believe the stucco requires a minor repair, you can remove the damaged section of stucco, much like you would with damaged drywall or rotted wood. Patch the area with a stucco mix that matches your current exterior. Apply three coats of the stucco and allow for drying time between applications.

Identifying Water Intrusion Through Stucco

How do you waterproof stucco walls?

There are three key components to waterproofing a stucco house for the long term: Using a multiple layer approach to stucco installation, including an air gap in those layers, and correct installation of flashing around any openings in the stucco walls.

How often does stucco need to be replaced?

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.

Can water leak through stucco cracks?

Now stucco cracks don't always mean that there is damage, but it is usually a common sign of stucco moisture problems. Cracks and bubbles along the bottom edge of the wall — You may notice water leaking through the stucco walls and showing up along the bottom edge due to poor drainage systems.

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.

How do I know if my stucco house is bad?

How do I know what is under stucco?

You'd have to go through the insulation, through the sheathing, and through the house wrap, to see if there is any brick or other material before the stucco. At that point, there's a good chance you'll punch a hole right through the stucco anyway. The inside structure will tell ALL about the stability of the stucco.

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.

Is there concrete behind stucco?

Stucco is Decorative

A stucco wall must be supported by some load-bearing material, such as wood or concrete. Stucco can be applied directly to any masonry-based wall, such as brick, concrete or cinder block.

When should I worry 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.

Can hairline cracks in stucco cause leaks?

#5 Depth of crack

Note that in a Traditional hard coat stucco, most hairline cracks only penetrate the finish coat, and not through the scratch coat or brown coat, thus they do not usually leak.

Is painting stucco a good idea?

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 concrete waterproof?

Isn't Stucco Waterproof? 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 often should you paint exterior stucco?

Stucco should be repainted every 5-6 years. When painting wood surfaces, 4-7 years is appropriate.

How is water getting behind siding?

Water under siding can often be traced back to bad caulking around window and door frames. Installing new siding over original siding materials can allow damp to seep under outer edges. The runoff from a leaky roof trickles down a home's exterior and seeps between siding and wood sheathing.

Is it a risk to buy stucco house?

Water entry behind the stucco can cause deterioration (rot) of the underlying wood, allowing water to wet the insulation, framing members, and drywall in our homes. This type of damage goes undetected until an inspection is performed, and consequently is all having a negative impact on the resale value of these homes.

Is it better to repair or replace stucco?

Stucco repair is often quicker, simpler and considered a short-term solution. Conversely, stucco replacement is more laborious but often considered a long-term strategy to deal with several occurrences of short-term incidents.

Can you use a pressure washer on stucco?

Yes, you can use a power washer or pressure washer to clean stucco. Just make sure to maintain a good distance between the nozzle and the surface, use the 1,500 PSI, and a 25- or 40-degree nozzle. Although, given the intensity of a power washer, seeking the help of a professional is always best.

What are the disadvantages of stucco?

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.