Over the past 20 years, many homes in the Greater Philadelphia area have been built with stucco on at least a portion of the exterior. Unfortunately, many of these installations have been defective. Serious problems can occur when stucco is not applied correctly, not sealed correctly around exterior fixtures, or not properly sealed where the stucco meets with a different material. You want to take care of stucco problems long before you go to sell your house and see a “stucco failure” on an inspection report.
Stucco is a cement plaster exterior siding and is one of the oldest exteriors still in use. Stucco is even seen in ancient Greek architecture. It is quick, versatile, fire-resistant, and cost-efficient. However, in wet and humid regions such as ours, water damage and shifting of soil and foundation can wreak havoc on stucco exteriors, because it is a stiff and inflexible cement-based material. And because stucco is sometimes applied incorrectly, the chance of problems increases. Because of this, some realtors are hesitant to show stucco homes, and many sellers are required to pay for a costly stucco inspection and possibly a repair job.
Signs of stucco problems
When water gets under stucco, it can crack, crumble, or bulge. The moisture can create mold, possibly in places you can’t see. Stucco can also be easily stained. The color from your shutters or windows may bleed, and ironwork can leave rust stains on adjacent stucco. Mildew can leave unsightly black spots. It’s important to inspect your stucco yearly to catch problems early before they cause significant damage.
Signs that moisture may have gotten under your stucco:
- Hairline cracks, bald spots, bulging
- Stucco “gives” when you press on it
- Caulking around windows and doors is missing or has shrunk
- Transitions between stucco and other materials are not properly sealed
- Staining or discoloration, mold or mildew
- Rot or poor sealing around exterior fixtures: light fixtures, electrical outlets, pipes, meter box, deck, chimney
Stucco Solutions
If you notice any of the problems listed above, you should act quickly to correct the problem. Options include an expert remediation service to repair and protect your current stucco, replacement stucco, or a new exterior. Contact us at 610-353-2895 for a free consultation with one of our exterior experts to find out what the best option is for your home.