Repairing Stucco

Many historic Toronto homes have stucco as the exterior moulding. While it is a beautiful addition to any building, it can be hard to maintain. Homeowners with stucco must keep the material in good condition with regular inspection. Advanced damage can be expensive. A homeowner must be prepared to have any damage repaired early.

Inspect for damage

Homeowners should routinely check the stucco to assess its condition. Areas of stucco which are missing or which have layers missing will be easy to see. Other areas such as bulges or cracks may be more difficult to inspect, especially if they are in a hard-to-reach or high area. Portions of stucco that sound hollow or areas which give an echo when gently tapped with a wooden mallet are unsound and should be repaired or replaced. Depending on the degree of damage, a local stucco contractor will recommend repair or replacement.

Water is the primary cause of most stucco damage. On the roof, water that enters through damaged shingles or penetrates the flashing around chimneys or ventilation pipes will often find its way to the wood lath under the stucco. This moisture causes the wood to rot, the support metal and nails to oxidize and the stucco to separate from its base material.

Ground level damage to stucco can also occur. Excess ground water or rain water that splashes up from the ground can soak the stucco and its foundation. Continuous wetness will cause stucco to lose its adherence.

Once the homeowner locates an area of damage, it should be easy to determine its cause. It is important to repair any cause of stucco damage before repairing or replacing the stucco. This helps avoid repeat damage.

Hire an expert

Stucco repair is extremely difficult to do properly and should be handled by a qualified stucco contractor. This is especially true with historical stucco. Homeowners who are seeking expert stucco repair should look for a local stucco contractor Toronto residents trust. A stucco contractor who knows the historical style and the type of stucco Toronto homes have will be able to provide the best repair service.

After the repairs

After the stucco contractor has made repairs, homeowners should take steps to ensure the stucco does not dry too quickly. Stucco that dries at too fast a pace will crack. The homeowner should provide shade or a covering for the next two to three days. It is especially important if the stucco contractor made the repairs in hot, dry weather.

Most stucco is finished with a coating of paint. Limewash paint is the traditionally favored top coat for stucco. It actually bonds with the stucco to create an extremely strong finish.

If it is necessary to repaint with a finish other than cement-based limewash after stucco repairs have been completed, the homeowner must take certain precautions. Latex paint can be applied to damp stucco, but homeowners should wait for one year before painting the stucco with oil-based finishes. Also, all peeling or flaking paint on original stucco should be removed with hand scrapers or animal-hair bristle brushes before applying paint.