Moisture Management Education

While stucco problems occur for multiple reasons, the issues are mostly moisture related. Problems with stucco are also more prevalent in areas of the country with higher rainfall. Considering all of its issues, stucco itself really hasn’t changed much over the years. It’s based on Portland cement just like it always has been. Problems with stucco are more prevalent in areas with higher rainfall due to its highly moisture absorbent nature. The higher the annual rainfall, the more at...

Staining around the corners of windows, dark spots where a roof and wall meet and even visible cracks are indicators of possible damage. These stains are signs of where water runs on and/or within the stucco. Where you see these, there is likely moisture behind the stucco, however, it is only through a professional inspection that a subsurface problem can be confirmed. Many homes were built without proper attention to good water management details. Some were built before building codes...

There are two solutions for stucco remediation – a partial repair or full tear off. A partial repair will focus on addressing just the worst areas identified as having damage. Examples of a partial repair include: Cutting away and removing only the stucco from the identified area Remove and replace any rotted wood that was behind the stucco Applying a new layer of stucco While this method is less costly than addressing the whole wall or house, it doesn’t solve the...

Only a professional stucco inspector will truly be able to tell if you have a stucco related problem. Professional home inspectors focusing on stucco know what to look for and where to look for it. Here is an overview of what they may do: Visual inspection An inspector will first walk completely around your home and look for telltale signs of moisture – mostly staining, cracks, improper flashing, and stucco running below grade. Moisture probes A method to identify the amount of...

​For buyers, the decision to have a home inspection done is an individual decision, but is recommended. Some standard home inspectors may not be fully qualified to perform a stucco inspection on a home with stucco cladding. A separate stucco inspection is always a good idea, especially if you live in an area where stucco problems are prevalent, considering the potential high cost for repairs. While some municipalities require a home inspection before a home can be sold, we are not aware of...