Cracking and Bulging House? Stucco Painting and Repair Services
Posted on February 26, 2019
Stucco’s long-lasting and low-maintenance characteristics make it a perfect siding material in nearly all conditions. It’s highly durable, so what does it mean when you find a crack or bulge in it? A stucco painting and repair job is in order.
While some reasons for deficiencies in stucco are scary like seismic movement or seasonal changes. More than likely, the issues with your walls are from seasonal changes or settling of your home. Don’t worry, you’re not relegated to cracking and bulging stucco.
The approach to your repair will depend on the issue you are seeing. Hairline cracks are less serious than deep cracks. Bulging can be nothing, or significant problems. Let’s look at each issue and see what your home is trying to tell you.
Cracks
Small cracks, while not as problematic as larger, still could signify damage. If they are smaller than 1/16 inches, your exterior integrity of your home is not in danger. Still, repairing them right away will head off the issue turning into something worse.
To repair a small crack, use a high quality caulk and brush to stipple the area while wet. This will help it blend in with the exterior of your home. After it’s cured, paint can be applied.
Larger cracks could be telling you that your home is having a structural problem that should be addressed. Usually you find larger cracks at intersections of vertical walls, upper window corners or door frames or at wood framing and concrete joints. Since larger cracks are often deeper, it can allow water to penetrate the building. Because of this, it’s a good idea to address it quickly.
Deep cracks are best addressed by a professional with abilities to look at what the causes are and how best to fix them and the underlying issues causing them.
Bulging
Bulging in your stucco is a sign that water has been trapped inside the walls. The water can soften the materials around it making them warp and hang. The wet stucco will eventually break away and fall off in sheets. You also run the risk of paint failure, rot, mold, smells and potentially irreparable damage.
As with deeper cracks, repairing bulging stucco is often best left to professionals. Getting inside your walls and determining if the stucco is wet is often a challenge. Removing the wet, ruined plaster and putting up new can be intimidating for homeowners on their own. Patching paintwork can be problematic as well.
Need a professional? Hire stucco painting and repair help.
