The question becomes, do the cracks need to be fixed. While stucco may appear to have no issues or only minor issues on the outside, it can often cause major problems for your home on the inside. The set up so, you have installed a cement or hard coat stucco system. Heavy mesh was not available locally either at the time. Stucco cracking is an issue that homeowners ask me about all the time. Painting your home with highquality thick paint can fill these hairline cracks. They ranged any where from 45 feet long to the length of my garage wall 16 plus feet between the front windows. Cracks caused by plywood are distinguished by the directions they take. Stucco is appealing for a number of reasons, chief among them its fire resistance.
Other issues that cause cracking issues in plaster can be. There are a number of stucco systems you can find in a. When problems do arise, vertex has forensic engineers throughout the country that are ready to assist. This article will focus on the investigation of cracks and some suggested repairs.
Clearly these must be the traditional, hard coat stucco variety and not the synthetic eifs stuff. It is not uncommon to see hard coat cracking like you. As a result, they stay away from stucco because of the resale problem. There are two types of stucco houses, one that is cracked and ones that are going to. Read about how cracks occur in 3coat stucco systems and some of the best. We would need to reprimus, mesh the cracks and recolor coat this wall. However, along with its popularity have come several issues typically caused by. History as far back as civilizations existed, traces of plastering appear. Maybe the rot isnt as severe with a cementious basecoat as with foam, and certainly is an improvement over flimsy foam, but still the product is falsely represented as traditional stucco and it isnt. Its very important to note that no warranty protects against cracking. We wont simply give you a surface level solution, but instead will work to get to the root cause of.
Fortunately, most cracks in a stucco system are hairline and present only a cosmetic concern. Cracks can also develop at floor lines if proper expansion joints are not installed. The hard facts about hard coat stucco what is hard coat stucco. I didnt see any other signs to indicate foundation problems so i presume its something specific to the plaster. By code, builders should provide at least 48 hours of curing time after the first coat is applied and wait seven days after the second coat before applying the finish. Here, using a field report of leaks at horizontal control joints in a hard coat stucco wall system, we describe the inspection, diagnosis, repair, and proper compared with improper installation of traditional stucco building. Since stucco is your homes first line of defense against the harsh. If a credit card can be inserted into a crack, or if one side off the crack. I noticed cracks down the length of the windows but couldnt determine a cause. Cracks that appear within the first 30 days after installation and are larger than 116 the thick. The wall leaks described above might have occurred through a combination of physical causes, design questions, construction errors, and questionable building standards. Some recommend coating the wall with elastomeric coating to seal the cracks. This minimizes the number of cracks that may come through and.
How to keep stucco from cracking professional builder. Most of us have heard the adage no news is good news. The problem with saying that is, that a lot of people think it is 50 years with no maintenance at all. Stucco is a combination of powdered limestone or cement, blended with sand and water until it reaches a mortarlike consistency. Cracks are a common and accepted occurrence in stucco assemblies but by utilizing stucco level coat with embedded mesh over the stucco base provides enhanced crack resistance to the wall.
But still the cracks keep on coming, causing unsightly surface imperfections or worse, latent defects. However, conventional stucco is a hard and durable system, and in most cases will outlast the structure itself. A quick look at traditional hard coat stucco and what to watch out for when doing a home inspection. When left unpainted, chunks of stucco will pop out and costly repairs will be needed. Repairing hairline cracks in exterior stucco a helpful tutorial.
After you apply the caulking, it will look something like this. If cracks exceed 332 it is unacceptable and should be repaired. If the three coat stucco wall was originally properly constructed and hairline cracks are offensive, fog coating is a. In this area dryvit or synergy, or others like that are also used as a topcoat on hard coat stucco. Stucco is a hard, stiff, concrete material and it is usually applied over wood. Efflorescence often occurs during periods of wet, cold weather and can occur on the surface of any cementbased product such as masonry, concrete, brick, and stucco. Hairline cracks in this color coat are inevitable, but if the base coats are well cured, these surface cracks will not communicate water through the stucco. Achieving a uniform thickness can be particularly difficult with.
Installers are like an old dog, hard to teach new tricks. All stucco cracks are the result of stucco releasing stresses placed on it by shrinkage, expansion or other movement. How to handle cracks in 3coat stucco professional builder. Can occur from cracks but also when the stucco system cannot drain incidental water which penetrates its face layer. Building movement and settlement, as well as expansion and contraction, also cause stucco to crack and. For example, synthetic exterior insulation and finish systems eifs frequently have problems with moisture becoming trapped inside walls, leading to rotted insulation, sheathing, and wood framing, which is why traditional hard coat stucco with its exterior breathable finish is often preferred but not guaranteed to not need eventual repairs. The synthetic stucco has many problems, including mold growing between the stucco and the exterior of the house. I presume thats the finish on the house, it doesnt appear to be stucco and it isnt eifs. This type of cracking is basically a sign that the base coat did not cure properly. Identifying various cracks in stucco the stucco guy.
Repairing hairline cracks in exterior stucco a helpful. The set up so, you have installed a cement or hard coat stucco. Stucco in modern times is a cement based product lik e concrete, with some differences. Hello everyone, i have a 5 year old home that had a few hair line cracks the first year. Im not all that fond of elastomeric coatings but its probably the cheapest way to fill the cracks.
Most stucco problems occur when the cladding system is. Other common repair methods may be better suited to active cracks. Hard coat stucco vs synthetic stucco temmel siding. Complete eifs removal and replacement with european hard coat stucco system. Hard float the brown coat to densify plaster membrane. If youre the owner of a stucco home and are struggling with moisture related issues, there is good news. Though cracks in stucco can occur due to different factors, two leading. As long as the cracks in the stucco are minor, they are not the problem. Stucco should last about common wisdom will tell you that hard coat stucco is meant to last around 50 years.
The first stucco coat is called a scratch coat and as its name implies, it has a rough. Hairline cracks are not a problem with three coat stucco since the waterproof barrier is behind the surface, not at the surface itself. Typically, efflorescence occurs shortly after the completion of the building project, but this is not a definite rule as efflorescence can occur and reoccur at anytime as long as. Hardcoat traditional stucco inspection, troubleshooting, repair. Although not all cracks are objectionable, cracks in stucco acceptable to one person might be unacceptable to another person. I see a lot of cracks on the foam trim that is used on stucco houses quite often and.
Once the crack has been filled, fogcoat may be used to even out the color around the repaired area. Go to our blog post what is the difference between eifs and stucco. It doesnt sound like it is caused from any structural problems with the building if that eases your mind any. The january 2007 article on stucco cracks dealt with myths, planning, caveats and suggested contract language when working with such systems.
I would advise you stay away from stucco purely from a resale point of view, not because of problems with the product. Hard coat stucco installation involves the following layers. Applied by hand over metal wire or lath, stucco cures to a hard. These cracks are a result of the stucco brown coat shrinking during the curing process. Because stucco requires an individual approach, be careful about who you hire to work on it. What to do with old stucco depends on several factors. Plywood installation is probably the leading cause of cracks in stucco. If you cannot insert a credit card into a crack, it is minor. Consult the stucco finish manufacturer or contractor for recommended repair methods. As an example, when the foundation settles more on one side of a house than on the other, it may create enough stress for stucco to crack. Properly applied, the color coat of your new stucco can last for decades.
Hairline cracks are typically around a 116 of an inch wide or smaller, if the crack is bigger than that, than chances are that some other element is the culprit. Improper installation is the main cause of most stucco problems. If the edge of a crack has moved in relation to the other edge, it may indicate unusual structural changes in your home. Expansion, wind and stress all play vital roles in why cracking occurs. Hairline cracks that develop in traditional stucco or hard coat stucco do not necessary have to be fixed if the width of the cracks. This one coat stucco was called hard coat by toll brothers and others and applied by eifs contractorsthe same people who put eifs on in the. A 1inch coating of stucco provides a onehour firewall rating, which means it will prevent. Hard coat stucco, atlanta, 4 replies view detailed profiles of. This damage will only become a bigger problem with time.
Openings through the wall stucco coating at the horizontal control joint. Before repairing, or patching, your exterior stucco, take a general look at the condition of the crack. How to paint old exterior stucco home guides sf gate. However, if the crack runs upwards from the base of the home, or starting at the roof, there could be a more serious problem with the foundation. Synthetic stucco is commonly referred to as exterior insulating and finish system eifs. All stucco finishes will develop fine cracks over time, but the. Portland cement stucco cracks develop for many reasons.
Unlike hairline cracks, a large stucco crack may indicate a structural problem. As long as a proper underlayment has been used and weep screeds are properly installed, even winddriven water wont cause severe problems, since stuccos ability to breath helps it remove any moisture left behind when rain forced through the surface via such cracks is conveyed to the outside via the screed. While other products are high performance, elastomeric stucco finishes created to withstand intense uv rays, resist water intrusion and promote elasticity in the finish. However, with hard coat stucco problems, you may want to follow the opposite advice. Californias lack of rain is definitely a cause for concern, but there is one advantage to it. Ron mcclure discusses the hard coat stucco cracks, control joints, drainage. So do not get discouraged if after a couple of years you start seeing cracks. This lack of code compliance can cause quality control issues. Paints will not have comparable durability and youll still have to paint again in a few years even if you dont have any problems, so its better to go with the color coat ultimately. From the oldest known civilization sumerian, 4,000 years b. Efflorescence in stucco omega products international. At john temmel siding guy, we only use stone accent and hardie products, such as hardie siding, rather than hard coat stucco or synthetic stucco. Hardcoat stucco is typically a three layer cementitious rendering scratch coat, brown coat and top coat applied over a building paper, metal lath and sheathing photograph 2.
The most dangerous cracks are typically wider than 116 inches, with edges that are no longer aligned parallel to each other. Cracking in a stucco walls, stucco shrinkage cracks youtube. Before i c an ahead of myself, i should explain what traditional stucco, or masonry stucco or plaster, or hard coat stucco is. Learn several inspection tips for inspecting stucco exterior covering or eifs, exterior insulation finish systems, from a certified stucco inspector. Blue star stucco hardcoat and eifs repairinstallation. May be from a variety of reasons, some within the applicators controls such as proper flashing and sealing, proper thickness and curing procedures. Also caused by trapped moisture or high pressure, cracks and crumbling need to addressed before they become pathways to the complete destruction of your home.
Below are some examples of some hairline cracks that have occurred. This keeps water in the wall and can lead the problems. The hard facts about hard coat stucco sidercrete, inc. Cracking is one of the largest complaints from homeowners with stucco homes. A thin layer of concrete would not stick very well to most walls and would fall off over time.
Once youve identified the problems, the team of bucks county stucco repair experts at ai restoration can help you to address them. If it is a small crack in the middle of the wall, or near a corner, then you can patch that easily. Cracking is inevitable when it comes to stucco, just like any type of cement based product. Now in the winter i am seeing more and more hairline cracks and some spider cracks but still hairline. Hard coat stucco cracks, leaks, damage stucco cracks, leaks at control joints, standards.
All types of stucco repair, hard coat or eifssynthetic. Other issues that cause cracking issues in plaster can be brought on by. Cracks may form from a variety of reasons, some within the applicators controls, such as proper flashing and sealing, proper thickness and curing procedures. Homes with this exterior finish are often strikingly beautiful, offer great flexibility in home design, and provide energy savings. As with stucco, cracks can allow water infiltration and can cause damages. Manufactured stone veneer is a version of hardcoat stucco where the top coat is replaced with an embedded thin stone veneer photograph 3. The typical type of cracks that occur in with traditional stucco are called hairline cracks. I put the builder on notice and of course the warranty has.