What Are the Causes of Cracks in Stucco Stair Steps?

Home Settling

• A home will settle naturally over time. This is normal, but the slight shifting and settling will create small, hairline cracks on the stucco steps that are less than 1/8 inch wide. These cracks develop because stucco has no elasticity and will not move with the shifting.

Stucco Drying

• Stucco is applied to the surface of your steps when it is wet. It will dry out quickly and will cure and harden after a few days. Over several years, however, the stucco will dry out more and more and will eventually crack. These cracks on the steps are normal, and do not indicate any large issues. They will be less than 1/8 inch wide.

Weather

• Weather can create small cracks, but it can also expand normal cracks beyond 1/8 inch and cause large, damaging cracks on the stairs. This can happen when rain causes the stucco to get wet and then it dries out in the sunlight. When this occurs too much over a period of time, the stucco will crack and the cracks will eventually widen. Repair the cracks on the steps as soon as you notice they are widening beyond 1/8 inch thick.

Foundation and Soil Settling

• If the foundation under the steps is not sound, it will cause a large crack in the steps. These cracks can also develop if the soil the steps are placed on has too much clay content. This is generally not an issue unless the crack is large enough for you to stick your fingers in. These will widen over time and can ruin the steps, crack the stucco on the home and cause roofing issues.