Stucco is valued as a home siding element for it’s attractiveness, resilience and as a relatively low-maintenance exterior finish in various parts of the US. For many consumers, stucco is a significant upgrade from vinyl siding but is a cheaper alternative than brick or stone exterior siding. Stucco is a porous material which absorbs moisture, making it an ideal choice for exterior siding in certain sections of the country of the US that experience an abundance of dry weather.
In the Northeast however, stucco failure is a growing concern since it is a part of the country that experiences a considerable amount of yearly precipitation. This rain will penetrate the stucco’s porous surface and if the stucco was not installed correctly and the installer did not employ the use of moisture barriers, weep screeds or flashing; the moisture will get trapped below the stucco and will soak up into other materials. This can bring on a broad range of hidden damages.
Aside from moisture problems; poor craftsmanship, inferior aggregate products and failure to install expansion joints are also typical causes of stucco failure in our area. Improperly installed stucco can result in many cosmetic and structural troubles with your home and can also expose you and your family to potential health hazards. home inspection seattle
Beneath is a list of examples outlining what forms of damages stucco failure can bring about and the resulting physical health threats.
1. Cosmetic Issues
2. Cracking
3. Breaking
4. Rotting
5. Structural Issues
6. Wood Damage
7. Leaks
8. Moisture & Mold on Structural Columns
9. Health Hazards from Mold Exposure
* Breathing Problems
* Nasal & Sinus Congestion
* Nose, Throat, Skin & Eye Irritation
* Central Nervous System Disorders
Ways to Detect Stucco Failure
There are a handful of tell-tale signs of stucco breakdown. Have a look at the exterior and interior of your house, if you observe any one of the signals listed below, your residence might be experiencing stucco failure.
Exterior Signs
Cracking or Breaking
1. Brown streaks surface below the corners of windows or where windows are joined
2. Brown streaks show at intersections of walls and roofs
Interior Signs
1. Leaking windows or doors
2. Bottoms of windows are discolored
3. Base trim is warped
4. Wet carpet
5. Musty smell in the house
As a builder and home remodelling specialist, I observe stucco failure on a regular basis. In most cases home owners aren’t even cognizant they have an issue until its uncovered while switching out windows or building an addition onto their residence.
Recommendations for Replacement
If you know your dwelling is experiencing stucco failure, the quicker you act, the better. In cases with moisture damages, much greater and more substantial structural troubles could well happen the longer you wait to address the problem. There have certainly been situations where supporting columns damages by moisture deteriorated so extremely that floors on the 2nd story of homes started to sag in addition to the ceilings on the first floor. Health risks associated with mold are something you will need to deal with straight away as well.
Some folks choose to enlist the services of a stucco remediation specialist and have their stucco patched up or reconditioned. As a a highly trained home builder, I recommend clearing away damaged stucco in its totality, repairing or replacing damaged windows and effected building materials; and installing a more reliable siding product all together. If you reside in a location with considerable precipitation, you really should select a better material fit for your property rather than repair a product that has an established failure record. how much is yours worth?
There are a lot of products and materials to opt for when re-siding a dwelling. While you might choose to switch out stucco with vinyl siding as a low cost fix, I don’t recommend it. Vinyl siding does not have a lengthy life span and is prone to twisting and weather damage. Other choices include wood siding, stone siding, brick siding or fiber cement siding. Wood siding calls for considerable maintenance and can become pricey in the long run and stone or brick veneers are downright costly.
I strongly recommend using Fiber Cement Siding for both siding replacement and new homes alike. There are several manufacturers of Fiber Cement Siding that offer solutions that suit a wide range of budgets. Fiber Cement Siding often comes with a 30-year warranty and is actually: rot resistant, impervious to termites, highly durable (resistant to rain, wind, hail, snow and sun), has a real wood-grain look and feel and is easily painted.