Stucco Wall Repair
Stucco is for the exterior layer made from a Portland and lime-based product, with sometimes added mix bits of fiberglass strands in with the mud. The stucco is applied to the exterior wall.
In South Florida, the two most common causes of stucco damage are rainwater and building settlement. In the case of rainwater for example, when water gets into small cracks of the exterior walls and columns, the wire lath supporting the stucco begins to rust. The wire lath swells as it rusts and forms large cracks in the stucco. This is called spalling. Spalled stucco allows even more water into the structure and results in rotting of the buildings wood framing.
When moisture gets behind stucco it weakens the cement plaster. Over time, this water damage can cause the stucco to crack or fall off in sheets. Stucco’s outer layer is designed to resist water, but the plaster underneath isn’t. When water gets behind stucco’s outer surface, it can wear the stucco away, and damage interior walls. Even further, it can cause structural damage that’s costly to repair.
Homes and businesses that are located near the ocean or Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Beach, Boca Raton and surrounding communities suffer tropical storms and stronger, damper winds. Those environmental factors can damage a building’s stucco over time, mainly at joints, near flashing or caulking, and around windows, doors, pipes, and balconies.
The structural settlement is another main cause of stucco damage. South Florida’s weak and compressible soils areprone to foundational damage. Small sinkholes and shifting ground can cause the building’s foundation to crack or settle. In some cases, the only above-ground evidence of settlement is in the structure’s exterior brick, stucco or siding.
How to Repair a Stucco Wall
Repairing spalling stucco requires the removal of the damaged stucco, wire lath, and rotten wood framing and rebuild with new materials. Keeping a heavy coat of quality paint on a stucco wall will help prevent the problem from reoccurring.
There may be more damaged building materials hidden behind the wall than it appears. It’s really important to remove enough stucco the make an accurate assessment of how much damage there really is. If the damage is minimal, the cost of replacing the removed stucco will be relatively low. Conversely, if someone simply caulks or patches the stucco without checking for the damage beneath, the cause of the problem will not be addressed, the root cause of the problem will grow larger and a complete and final repair will become more costly.
How to Prevent Stucco Damage in South Florida
The key to long-lasting stucco is a watertight finish over a sound structure. Hiring professionals to apply the stucco will maximize the exterior’s life expectancy. It is important to make sure that the stucco is applied at the appropriate temperatures. The stucco also needs to be applied evenly on all flat surfaces and at joints and around structures including windows, doors, and balconies. In addition to that, the stucco lath needs to be adequately spaced from the underlying wall. This helps the stucco set properly and can prevent “nail popping.”
Professional stucco application helps protect the house or business from the extreme weather it faces in South Florida. Preventative Maintenance Support Services Company can not only repair the damaged stucco, we can also repair foundation and prevent future foundational settlement which can damage the stucco again.Our staff at Preventative Maintenance takes special care to ensure stucco application will last long.
Preventative Maintenance Support Services Company offers professional stucco repair in Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and surrounding communities. We are licensed and insured, use superior quality materials and offer an extended warranty on all of our stucco services.
Call Boca Raton expert stucco contractor and we will professional workmanship at the very best price. Call now for a Free Estimate!
