Can a House That Had Stucco Repair Be Trusted?

Proper Temperature

• To repair stucco successfully, you need to perform the work in the proper temperatures. Stucco, which must be left on the house for many days before it cures, ruins if subjected to freezing temperatures. You should only apply it when you expect temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the foreseeable future. Conversely, excessive heat and arid wind can dry out the wet stucco mix prematurely. Working on shaded sections of the home on hot days can help avoid this problem.

Proper Preparation

• The section of stucco needing repair usually has broken bits and pieces hanging onto the mesh underneath. Removing all of the cracked or chipped debris before proceeding further will make sure it doesn't interfere with the curing process of the fresh stucco. To maintain the structural integrity of the repair, avoid causing any damage to the wooden lathing that attaches to the mesh as you take out the busted pieces.

Proper Timing

• After the first stucco application, placing a plastic sheet over the wet stucco will keep it from drying out before you apply the next coat. Stucco must not dry out between coats. If it dries prematurely, spider-like cracking will result, potentially undermining the strength of the repair. When the second coat goes on seven days after the first, cover it with the plastic sheet again. After three days, you can apply the final coat to the area. The stucco will be ready to receive paint or another finish after seven more days.

Small

• Small cracks in the stucco do not need replacement with new stucco if the area is less than one-eighth of an inch wide. You can simply fill in these holes with a siliconized acrylic caulk, according to home improvement expert Tim Carter. Deep cracks need two coats of the caulk. Placing some sand into the final coat helps disguise the repair. Small cracks rarely indicate a serious problem in the stucco. If you have a large number of small cracks concentrated in a specific area, however, you may want to contact a qualified home inspector to further investigate the integrity of the stucco.