Apart from contributing to the aesthetics of your house’s exterior, stucco is vital in protecting the exterior walls irrespective of the climatic conditions. Quality and durability are the two main reasons that make stucco siding popular among homeowners.

However, most homeowners are unaware that stucco sidings are prone to staining, water and mold damage. Water damage can be the most impactful concern among the lot, which, if not treated immediately, can cost you thousands of dollars.

This post features some critical aspects of stucco water damage like identification, causes and solutions.

Causes

Discrepancies in composition and installation

An ideal conglomerate of Portland cement, sand and water constitutes quality stucco. Each of these ingredients should align with the standard specification benchmarked by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce. In addition to this, the mixture should be fully cured. Any improper composition can lead to wear and tear that can support water leakages.

It is recommended to install stucco in three coats or steps; a base layer is also known as a scratch coat, a second brown coat and a final finish coat. Not following the three-layer application and applying the stucco directly onto a wooden lath can trigger mediocre results.

Impact of nature

Unforeseen natural nudges like earthquakes, storms, cyclones, flooding, and strong winds can induce cracks in stucco. It doesn’t usually take much time for the cracks to expand under pressure, which can lead to more significant and additional water damage concerns like mold growth and structural damage.

Identifying stucco damage

Your stucco can be harbouring water damage that is invisible to the naked eye. This is why identifying stucco water damage can turn out to be a tricky task. Options to identify stucco damage would be via a routine inspection for any visible signs of cracks or an expert professional examination.

Stucco tears

Any water stain formation on stucco indicates moisture intrusion. Watch for greenish-black pigments on the stucco that show fungus growth owing to water damage.

Moisture testing

A professional can perform a moisture test to identify water damage to your stucco. The moisture meter used can assist in determining the severity of the damage.

Visible signs

If your stucco smells musky, consider the possibility of water damage. In such scenarios, it is also ideal for keeping an eye out for mold growth.

Solutions

Repairing stucco damage is related to the extent of the damage suffered. Most of the stucco damages are triggered due to unprofessional installation and composition. If diagnosed early, a simple re-sealing process can help control the condition.

An ideal means to prevent this concern is to ensure that a professional construction contractor installs the stucco. Even when you have tons of DIY videos and guides available online, you might want to leave this to a professional, and you can save some money and time in the long run.

Stucco water damage can be hard to identify unless you perform a routine inspection around the exteriors of your house. Make it a point to do this at least twice a year.