STUCCO WATER DAMAGE: CAUSES & SOLUTIONS

A home clad completely in stucco is something of beauty. There's little doubt about that.

Many homeowners prefer cloaking their houses having this kind of exterior because of its benefits. For one, stucco's top-notch quality makes it last for quite a while.

It's also excellent in hiding defects, is fungi-resistant, and is naturally equipped with thermo-regulating properties -- the home will stay cool during summer and warm come winter season.

Aside from that, stucco resists moisture and can be water-resistant. The latter is not a complete, incidentally. Stucco can be vulnerable to water damage, too.

Bumps on the surface is an early sign of water damage. If not treated early the delamination will cause sections of it to drop off.

The first step in determining whether there is a brooding water damage is by requesting an expert to perform a moisture test. The stucco expert will then be able to filter out the main cause before performing a therapy.

Stucco Water Damage Causes
Improper stucco composition
The sturdiness of this stucco will come from a well-balanced mixture of Portland cement, sand, and water.

Each ingredient should conform to the standard specification set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce. Aside from that, the mixture ought to be cured well to prevent it from cracking.

Faulty stucco installment
No matter how good the quality of the stucco is, if it's not installed correctly, the result will continue to be mediocre.

A break in the three-coat stucco (scratch coat, brown coat, along with the finish coat) application, for instance, will cause a big issue later on. Same holds for installing stucco directly on a wooden lath.

Unsuitable use of flashing
Flashing acts as a protective barrier between the water and the seams of the house. Aluminum is preferred because it is lightweight and affordable. However, the prospect of corrosion overrides these benefits. Once it decays, water will easily ooze through the pockets.

Cracks
Stress cracks in stucco are brought on by a lot of factors such as earthquakes, direct effect, expansion, or strong winds.

It doesn't matter whether it's a hairline fracture or a wide pattern crack. Water will seep through any crack it could see in your stucco.

Stucco Water Damage Solutions
Before you even consider repairing your water-damaged stucco, be certain you fix the cause of the water damage. Whether you have a burst pipe, a leaking air conditioner, or anything else, repairing that must be your first priority. Even if the water damage seems to be a fluke, you don't want to repair the exact same stucco twice.

Here's a general approach to repairing water damaged stucco:

Here are some additional Actions you can take to stop water damage to your stucco from the long run:

Implementing a drainage plane material to prevent water from entering the wall
preventing the intrusion of vapor by employing a vapor barrier
Implementing a patching compound to the areas of the wall in which the loose stucco has fallen away
Modification of weep screeds to guarantee the proper drainage of water
Application or advancement of sealants
Stucco water damage restoration cost will vary per case. This will depend on the degree of the damage along with the materials that will be used.

Does homeowners insurance cover stucco damage?
The repairs for your water damaged stucco might be covered by your homeowner's insurance.

Typically, whether or not the damage to your stucco is insured depends upon the exact cause. Rain and flooding damage are not covered in many coverages, however the damage caused by indoor water sources, such as a leaking washing machine, are.

Another issue is whether or not the stucco was applied by a qualified contractor. A normal homeowner's insurance policy doesn't cover work done by unlicensed contractors, and lots of artificial stucco providers sell directly to applicators who may or may not be licensed. That is just one more reason it is always better to call a licensed contractor for any work on your house, no matter how minor.

We can help you navigate through your insurance policy by working together with your insurance company. Talk to our water damage repair experts today to begin.