Stucco is prized as a home siding product for it’s beauty, resilience and as a comparatively low-maintenance exterior finish in various areas of the US. For many, stucco is a substantial upgrade from vinyl siding and yet is a more economical option than brick or stone exterior siding. Stucco is a porous product which absorbs moisture, making it a great choice for siding in areas of the United States that enjoy an abundance of dry weather.
In the Northeast however, stucco failure is a growing problem given that it is a region that experiences a significant amount of annual precipitation. This precipitation will penetrate the stucco’s porous exterior surface and if the stucco was not installed properly and the installer did not employ the use of moisture barriers, weep screeds or flashing; the water will get trapped beneath the stucco and will soak up into other materials. This can lead to a wide range of potential damages.
In addition to moisture problems; poor craftsmanship, inferior aggregate products and failure to install expansion joints are also usual causes of stucco failure in our region. Poorly installed stucco can lead to a variety of cosmetic and structural troubles with your home and can also expose you and your family to potential health hazards. home inspection seattle
Below is a list of examples outlining what forms of damages stucco failure can give rise to and the resulting health hazards.
1. Cosmetic Issues
2. Cracking
3. Breaking
4. Rotting
5. Structural Issues
6. Wood Damage
7. Leaks
8. Moisture & Mold on Structural Columns
9. Physical health Hazards from Mold Exposure
* Asthmatic Problems
* Nasal & Sinus Congestion
* Nose, Throat, Skin & Eye Irritation
* Central Nervous System Disorders
Tips on how to Detect Stucco Failure
There are a range of tell-tale indications of stucco failure. Look at the exterior and interior of your home, if you notice any one of the clues below, your residence may well be experiencing stucco failure.
Exterior Signs
Cracking or Breaking
1. Brown streaks appear just below the corners of windows or where windows are joined
2. Brown streaks show up 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 home
As a builder and home renovation professional, I find stucco failure quite often. Usually home owners aren’t even aware they have an issue until its discovered while replacing windows or building an addition on their home.
Suggestions for Replacement
If you know your house is experiencing stucco failure, the more quickly you act, the better. In cases with moisture damages, much greater and more pricey structural issues could well transpire the longer you wait to fix the issue. There have definitely been situations where supporting columns weakened by moisture deteriorated so badly that floors on the 2nd story of houses began to sag along with the ceilings on the first floor. Medical hazards associated with mold are something you will need to deal with immediately as well.
A lot of home owners opt to work with a stucco remediation specialist and have their stucco patched or refurbished. As a a highly trained home builder, I advise removing damaged stucco in its totality, repairing or replacing damaged windows and effected building materials; and installing a much more dependable siding product all together. If you reside in an area with heavy precipitation, you should choose a better building material suited for your residence rather than repair a material that has a recognized failure record. best site
There are numerous products and materials to select from when re-siding a home. While you could opt to change out stucco with vinyl siding as an inexpensive fix, I do not recommend it. Vinyl siding does not have a long life span and is prone to buckling and weather damage. Other choices include wood siding, stone siding, brick siding or fiber cement siding. Wood siding needs substantial maintenance and can certainly be expensive in the long run and stone or brick veneers are very expensive.
I recommend employing Fiber Cement Siding for both siding replacement and brand-new dwellings alike. There are a variety of producers of Fiber Cement Siding that offer solutions that fit a wide range of budgets. Fiber Cement Siding commonly includes a 30-year warranty and is definitely: rot resistant, impervious to termites, highly durable (resistant to rain, wind, hail, snow and sun), has a realistic wood-grain look and feel and can be easily painted.