Stucco is prized as a siding material for it’s good looks, durability and as a relatively low-maintenance exterior finish in numerous parts of the United States. For may people, stucco is a big upgrade from vinyl siding and yet is a cheaper choice than brick or stone exterior siding. Stucco is a porous material which absorbs moisture, making it a great choice for siding in certain sections of the country of the US that experience an abundance of dry weather.
In the Northeast however, stucco failure is an increasing issue since it is an area that experiences a substantial amount of annual precipitation. This rainfall will saturate the stucco’s porous exterior surface and if the stucco was not set up appropriately and the installer did not employ the use of moisture barriers, weep screeds or flashing; the moisture will get entraped underneath the stucco and will soak up into other materials. This could very well bring about a wide range of possible damages.
In addition to moisture problems; poor craftsmanship, inferior aggregate products and failure to install expansion joints are also usual sources of stucco failure in our region. Improperly installed stucco can result in many cosmetic and structural issues with your home and can also expose you and your family to potential health hazards. related web site
Here is a list of examples outlining what forms of damages stucco failure can produce and the resulting medical 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. Physical health Hazards from Mold Exposure
* Respiratory Problems
* Nasal & Sinus Congestion
* Nose, Throat, Skin & Eye Irritation
* Central Nervous System Disorders
The way to Identify Stucco Failure
There are a handful of tell-tale indications of stucco breakdown. Evaluate at the exterior and interior of your home, if you see any one of the clues listed below, your residence could be experiencing stucco failure.
Exterior Signs
Cracking or Breaking
1. Brown streaks turn up 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. Moldy smell in the home
As a home builder and home remodelling professional, I uncover stucco failure quite often. In many cases property owner are not even cognizant they have an issue until it is revealed while changing out windows or building an addition on their house.
Recommendations for Replacement
If you know your residence is experiencing stucco failure, the sooner you act, the better. In cases with moisture damage, much larger and more pricey structural issues could well take place the longer you wait to address the situation. There have certainly been cases where supporting columns weakened by moisture disintegrated so severely that floors on the second story of properties began to sag alongside the ceilings on the first floor. Medical dangers linked with mold are something you will need to address without delay as well.
Some consumers opt to employ the services of a stucco removal professional and have their stucco patched up or refurbished. As a a highly trained home builder, I recommend taking off damaged stucco in its entirety, repairing or replacing damaged windows and effected building products; and installing a much more reliable exterior siding product all together. If you reside in a city with considerable precipitation, you need to choose a better exterior siding fit for your dwelling rather than repair a material that has a proven failure history. seattle home services
There are lots of products and materials to pick from when re-siding a house. While you might opt to switch out stucco with vinyl siding as a cheap fix, I don’t recommend it. Vinyl siding does not have a long life span and is prone to buckling and weather damage. Other possibilities consist of wood siding, stone siding, brick siding or fiber cement siding. Wood siding demands heavy maintenance and can certainly get costly in the long run and stone or brick veneers are costly.
I recommend making use of Fiber Cement Siding for both siding replacement and new houses alike. There are a variety of manufacturers 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 an actual wood-grain look and feel and can be easily painted.