Stucco Repair

Although stucco is a very durable product it can get damaged, deteriorate or crack. Generally speaking stucco is damaged mostly by water infiltration and or exposure. Excessive water exposure can crack or wear away the stucco and damage to the underlying structure may occur.

The first thing that you must do in order to repair stucco is to access the damage and remedy the source of that damage. Generally by fixing any water exposure or waterproofing will deter any further damage.

Once the source of the damage is repaired you will need to determine the type of stucco used. You want to get as close to the original stucco composition as possible to create a solid repair.

You can perform a simple test on stucco to determine it's material make up. Dilute a solution of hydrochloric acid better known as muratic acid and apply it to a small piece of stucco. The acid will dissolve stucco that has a lime base and leave a portland cement based stucco undamaged.

Older stuccos may be harder to duplicate due to their sand mixture, but with experimentation and a little patience you can often get a pretty close mix.

Stucco caulk is also available for repairing small or hairline cracks in stucco. But remember to achieve a quality repair that will last you must chip away any loose materials and often chisel out a clean groove. This will allow the stucco to bond properly and last longer than a quick patch job.

You will also want to blend a color addative in order to match the existing stucco color. This takes a bit of skill and may often fade off color over time.

Alternatively you can paint over stucco with a suitable stucco paint or wash. Before attempting this any loose stucco or paint must be removed and the surface cleaned. Your local home center or paint store should be able to supply you with a suitable coating based on your current stucco condition and composition.

Back 03.11.2006.