What is stucco weep screed?

Weep screed is a special piece of metal flashing that runs along the bottom of walls that wicks moisture out of holes that are located at the bottom of the flashing. It hangs below the lower sill plate to ensure that the water wicks past any material that could become damaged by excessive amounts of water.

Is stucco weep screed necessary?

The weep screed is vital to stucco installation because it allows moisture to escape the stucco.

What is the purpose of a stucco weep screed?

The purpose of a weep screed is to allow incidental moisture that may enter the wall system through a window leak or absence of proper flashing or sealants, to convey to the exterior.

What is weep screed made of?

The weep screed may be made for galvanized metal, plastics or aluminum. The weep screed may be a V nose (as shown) or a casing bead style with holes for drainage. The attachment flange should be at least 3 ½ inches in height and the bottom of the attachment flange must be below the plate line.

Does a weep screed need holes?

The holes or slots in the weep screed helps hold the stucco in place when the stucco is being first applied and helps prevent the stucco from rolling out along the sloped edge of the weep screed. It provides a straight-line and stopping point for the base of the stucco wall.

Stucco Weep or Drip screeds, how why and where to install these stucco screeds

Should stucco touch the ground?

When installing stucco, you should ensure that it never touches the ground, or in other words, is below-grade. There needs to be a minimum of two inches of space between the concrete and the stucco for houses that rest on concrete foundations.

How close can stucco be to the ground?

When stucco is installed, it should be above grade, allowing for a 6-8 inch gap between the stucco and soil. Below grade is the opposite. It is the result of stucco being installed below the place where the building's foundation meets the soil.

Does stucco have weep holes?

This is why the weep screed is at the bottom of the stucco. The water will then run out of the weep holes (away from wall assemblies) in the stucco, if there is an absorbent amount of water in the stucco system.

Does weep screed work?

Your weep screed works in two ways. First, it is installed to allow the stucco something to adhere to. So, when adding the stucco, the weep screed acts as a grabbing material so that the stucco stays on the wall. Secondly, it is installed to reduce moisture issues from behind the stucco.

How do you prep a wall for stucco?

When working with an existing masonry or brick wall, you're going to first need to use some fresh mortar to repair any cracks that exist, then wash the wall with a power washer (or use a trisodium phosphate-water mixture and scrub it). The wall should be thoroughly wet before you apply the first coat of stucco.

Does stucco need flashing?

Typically comprised of thin pieces of water-resistant material, flashing is part of a complete water management system. If properly installed, individual flashings complete the water management system and keep water out from vulnerable areas of the stucco.

Does EIFS need weep screed?

Moisture Drainage MD-EIFS

A Moisture Barrier and drainage plane is first placed over the moisture sensitive substrates. PVC accessories are permitted but not required. Most systems have a weep screed (PVC starter track with weep holes), but not all systems.

How do you replace a weep screed?

Lift the metal lath up to expose the weep screed. Remove the weep screed from the wall using the pry bar. Take the weep screed off and set it aside. Set the new piece of weep screed along the bottom of the wall and secure it with nails using a nail gun.

Can you use chicken wire for stucco?

20 Gauge Wire (One Coat Stucco Wire):

There is really only one style and it resembles the look and thickness of traditional chicken wire. This is really the only type of wire that is used for a one coat stucco installation and the wire is made specifically for it too, so keep that in mind.

What is stucco stop?

OVERVIEW. Used as a stucco/plaster stop to provide a screed edge and protective finish trim. Terminates plaster in a clear straight line at doors, windows, or other openings. Galvanized coating protects against corrosion.

What is a sill screed?

Exterior Foundation sill screed

Installed at the juncture of the sill and exterior concrete foundation, or in similar areas, to allow trapped moisture to drain to the exterior of the building. Provides straight edge stops for applied plaster stucco and E.I.F.S.

How do you fill the gap between stucco and foundation?

Apply an elastomeric sealant or caulk between the foundation and the lower edge of the stucco. Completely fill the space between, making sure that the bottom of the backing board is covered as well. Use a caulk gun if necessary, although some sealants come in a tube that can be hand squeezed instead.

Can you pour concrete up against stucco?

None. The concrete should slope away from home. If you have the option to go an inch down then fine so you don't mess up the stucco while pouring.

What is a stucco foundation?

A typical stucco mixture is one part of cement to three parts of sand and one-half part of lime. Selecting various types of sand will impact the finished color of the stucco when it cures on the foundation wall. Stucco, similar to concrete, can be colored by adding pigments to the mixture.

Can stucco be buried?

The stucco is currently buried in the dirt approximately 2-3″ around the entire home. I believe the solution is to dig down, cut the stucco leaving an inch or so in contact with the stem wall and then regrade the site, lowering the dirt everywhere to have proper drainage.

How do you fix below grade foundation?

Epoxy and polyurethane injection systems allow for the repair and waterproofing of most foundation cracks from the inside using simple hand tools.” Epoxy literally glues cracked concrete back together to restore the structural integrity of the concrete wall, and can get into even hairline cracks.

How can you tell if stucco is EIFS?

The easiest way to identify synthetic stucco (EIFS) is by touching the material with your bare hand. When you touch the wall where the stucco is installed, it will feel like plastic. You can also knock gently on the wall. If it sounds hollow and thin, you have EIFS on your home.

Why should barrier wall EIFS be avoided?

MOISTURE ISSUES

The barrier in any EIF system is the basecoat and mesh layer. This layer will not allow the penetration of moisture and functions as the moisture-intrusion-preventing workhorse of the system.