Stucco Maintenance - Siding
Stucco Siding is a tried and true material with unique aesthetics that many homeowners prefer. It's durable, resilient, and with the right care, can last up to 70 years without any Stucco repair. Stucco maintenance is the act of cleaning and applying a protective surface coating to your stucco exterior.
It’s ideal for warmer weather climates as stucco isn’t as strong at insulating against the cold compared to other materials.
Below are some stucco maintenance tips to keep your exterior looking fresh.
Cleaning Your Stucco Regularly
Stucco is a porous material that can absorb stains from dirt, rain, and other environmental factors. The cleaning Stucco process includes washing surfaces to remove dirt, mildew, and black stains. To keep dirt and stains at bay, you should clean stucco siding two to three times a year (depending on how much debris and weather your home is exposed to).
Regularly Inspect Stucco for Damage
It’s a good idea to check for cracking or peeling on your Stucco every year for any issues. Over time, stucco can develop cracks, holes, and chips that not only look bad but also weaken its structure. These cracks can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, and if you don’t address them, they may expand.
If you overlook and don’t fix these problems, mold might start growing beneath your stucco, and eventually, it could appear inside your home, affecting both the interior and exterior. If mold continues to spread, you might have to remove and replace the affected stucco surface.
Filling Cracks & Crevices
Like any material, stucco can crack or break over time. As part of your regular and right maintenance, you should repair small cracks before they become bigger repairs. This part involves filling cracks, crevices, and voids with an elastomeric or crack-isolation membrane. This process allows for proper water drainage through the stucco wall, which reduces damage caused by water penetration. Additionally, elastomeric coatings can be applied to the surface of the stucco, which acts as a protective barrier.
Treating Problem Areas
This method includes dealing with black stains and efflorescence, which are both signs that water has gotten into the stucco. It’s recommended to get a professional for Stucco repair at this point because there are various treatments available depending on where and how much the black stains or efflorescence are.
Repaint Your Stucco
If you want to keep your stucco looking good, it’s important to take care of it regularly. Although maintenance can prevent fading, there might come a time when you have to paint your house to bring back the stucco’s color through painting.
Apply oil-based paint or use paint that is graded for exterior use (typically labeled as “acrylic,” “elastometric,” or “masonry” paint) because any other paint will fade or chip away faster. This paints are ideal for stucco because they are more resistant to cracks than latex-based paints. Additionally, oil-based paints can be removed in the future without damaging stucco and can also act as a sealant, which provides double duty as a fresh color and long term protection.
Regular maintenance of stucco siding is crucial to ensure the durability and appearance of your home’s walls.
If you are looking for assistance for your upcoming home renovation project at New America Construction we provide Stucco Siding estimates for all NJ homeowners.
Call us today for more information 973-804-9400
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