Stucco Repair Philadelphia is important to keep your home in tip-top shape. It is common to see cracks in stucco, and small ones should be fixed right away.

Use a cold chisel and hammer to widen cracks that are less than 1/4 inch wide. Be sure to bevel the edges evenly.

A crack in stucco isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, but it’s important to fix any underlying issues that can lead to more damage and a bigger repair bill. A few easy steps can help you repair your stucco walls and keep them looking great.

Start by removing loose or crumbling pieces of stucco, using a hammer and chisel to chip away any broken areas until you reach the lath (strips of wood that support the stucco). You may want to wear work gloves and safety glasses for protection. Then, scrub the damaged area with a wire brush to remove any dirt or debris. Make sure to leave some undamaged stucco around the area of your crack so that you don’t remove any structural elements that could weaken the wall.

Next, use a hammer and chisel or angle grinder to widen the crack to about a quarter inch. “It’s important to widen the crack as much as possible so that you can repair it adequately with a patch,” says Cantor. This will also ensure that the crack won’t reopen later.

Once the crack is wider, apply waterproof caulk to the inside of the wall. This will prevent water from seeping through the crack and causing additional damage and staining. You can find caulks formulated specifically for stucco and other types of construction, or you can use a conventional exterior caulking product such as DAP’s acrylic or Quikrete’s sanded caulk.

Then, use a trowel to apply a layer of stucco mix over the damaged area of the wall. This first layer is called the scratch coat, and you can choose a color that matches your home’s existing stucco or one that complements it.

When the scratch coat is dry, sponge the area with water to help the next layer adhere. Apply a second, larger patching coat of the same color to the area. This second patch is called the “brown coat.”

Depending on the type of crack and the severity of the damage, you may need to add a third brown coat or even a fourth. Once the brown coat is dry, you can paint over it to match the surrounding stucco. If you have more serious cracks, holes, or crumbling sections of stucco, contact a stucco contractor or handyman for professional help.

Remediating Cracks

Stucco is an attractive, durable exterior coating that can be applied smooth or in rough, textured patterns. Like any other material, however, it can become damaged in a variety of ways. It is important to identify the signs of damage and act quickly to prevent further problems before they occur. If left untreated, the cracks in your stucco can lead to structural issues and even mold and water intrusion.

When a crack first appears, it is usually the result of stress or strain that has developed in your home or commercial building. These can be caused by weather changes, ground movement, or other outside forces that have put pressure on your stucco walls. While they may initially be unsightly, these cracks are not usually serious. In most cases, hairline cracks will not grow further and can be repaired easily using a caulking product such as silicone or acrylic.

Cracks that are wider or contain holes can indicate a more serious issue. In this case, you may need to consider remediation, which involves more extensive repairs and a deeper fix than simple repairs. Remediation is also more expensive than simple repair, so it is important to have any significant damage addressed as soon as possible.

A qualified stucco contractor will first check the area around the crack to ensure that there is no evidence of moisture damage or other underlying issues. If there are, they will address these issues before proceeding with the repairs.

If there is no sign of moisture or other underlying issues, the next step will be to prepare the crack for repair. This will involve cleaning out the crack and removing any loose stucco that is hanging from it. A wire brush should be used for this process. The next step is to widen the crack with a cold chisel and hammer. This should be done until it is about a quarter inch wide and has a V-shape on the sides.

Once the crack is widened, it should be cleaned out with a wire brush once again. Then, a caulking product such as silicone, acrylic, or polyurethane can be applied to the crack. When applying the caulking, it is best to use a premixed product that has a built-in texture similar to your existing stucco. This will help conceal the crack once it is painted.

Removing Cracks

Stucco is a resilient material, and many surface-level cracks in stucco are easily repaired. However, you should never ignore cracks in stucco, as they can mask more serious issues. A qualified professional should inspect the cracks and determine if the problem needs to be addressed by repair or remediation.

A professional may also determine that the cracks are caused by faulty construction or moisture intrusion and recommend additional measures to prevent future problems. These might include reinforcing the wall, adding expansion joints, or installing a weep screed. They can also refinish the stucco and paint it to match.

Hairline cracks in new stucco are normal and expected, but larger cracks can indicate a more significant issue.  These cracks are more likely to occur if the lath was not properly attached or installed or if the home is not well insulated and/or ventilated.

The first step in repairing a crack in stucco is to clean the area. This will remove dirt, algae, and any other debris that has accumulated on the surface of the stucco. This will allow the next steps in the process to go smoothly and reduce the chance of further cracking.

Using a cold chisel and hammer, you will need to widen the cracks in the stucco to at least a quarter inch across all areas of the crack. You will also need to bevel the edges of the cracks to create a V-shape. This will help the cracks hold plaster better.

You can purchase pre-mixed stucco mix or a dry mix to make the stucco patch. If you are purchasing a dry mix, you will need to add acrylic bonding agent and water a little at a time until the consistency is that of buttercream frosting. If you are using a pre-mixed product, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing.

The next step in repairing a crack in stucco or a hole in your stucco is to apply the base coat with a float, making sure that it is even with the undamaged area of the wall. Once the base coat has dried, you will need to apply a finish coat to the damaged areas.

Refinishing Cracks

Stucco has been used as a building material for centuries because it is durable, attractive, and weather-resistant. Stucco is applied over a wooden, brick, or masonry structure to add insulation, structural stability, and visual appeal. When your stucco starts to crack, it’s important that you address the problem quickly, because ignoring it will only mask any potential problems and cause even more damage.  Stucco repair can be a simple process that can bring your plaster surfaces back to life.

To begin, you need to clean out the existing cracks. Use a wire-bristled brush to loosen and remove any crumbling debris. Once the surface is clear, you can apply a premixed stucco patching material to the crack with a putty knife or scratch awl. When applying the patching material, make sure to cover the entire surface area, and then use a wire-bristled brush again to match the texture with that of the surrounding stucco.

Once the patch has dried, you can apply silicone caulk to the surface of your plaster. When using the caulk, be careful not to put it in the crack itself, as this can lead to further problems down the line. It is more effective to fill the upper portion of the vee groove in the crack.

Next, you will need to use a trowel and score the surface of the plaster to allow it to better accept paint. If you do this correctly, the scoring will allow the new coat of paint to bond with the stucco and prevent it from peeling. Once you have finished, the last step is to apply a water-resistant coating, such as silicone sealer or elastomeric acrylic paint.

This step is extremely important to ensure that your home’s exterior will hold up against the elements, including moisture. A waterproof coating is also essential to ensure that your stucco doesn’t have any underlying issues, such as leaks or mold growth, that can cause more serious problems down the line. Having an experienced professional perform a thorough inspection and assessment of your stucco is the best way to determine whether a simple repair or full remediation is required.