A Comprehensive Guide to Stucco Repair: DIY Tips and Tricks

Stucco isn’t only prized for its versatility. It’s also one of the most durable exterior wall plaster coats. 

But like any construction material, stuccos have a maximum lifespan. Even the strongest stucco-clad wall will occasionally require repairs. 

Like other home improvements, renovating your stucco can improve your home’s structural integrity and curb appeal significantly. It also helps to prevent various health hazards, especially if the damage is due to moisture ingress. 

This article’ll unpack a step-by-step DIY guide to stucco repair.

1. Determine the Cost

Cost is the biggest reason many homeowners choose to repair their stuccos by themselves rather than engage a professional home improvement contractor. So, the first step in drafting an elaborate stucco repair plan is to determine the cost. 

The cost to repair stucco ranges from $8 to $50 per square foot. However, the final amount depends on multiple factors, including;

Type of Damage

Water intrusion is one of the leading causes of stucco damage. However, problems with your stucco-clad wall could be due to other environmental aspects, such as soil compaction and thermal expansion. 

Human-related factors like using low-grade materials and shoddy workmanship are also to blame for many incidences of stucco damage. 

Extent of Damage

The total surface area of a damaged stucco-clad wall also determines the actual renovation cost. The larger the area that needs repair, the higher the cost.

Material and Technology

The type of material and technology you intend to use in fixing damaged stucco will also impact the final repair cost. 

Most stuccos are either traditional or synthetic. 

Traditional stucco is made from sand, lime, and water. Synthetics comprise foam plastic insulation boards that are mechanically or adhesively attached to a substrate, such as plywood or polystyrene. 

Synthetic stuccos are considerably cheaper than traditional stucco materials. 

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2. Know the Signs of Damage

Stucco damage can present a broad range of symptoms, and each sign points to a possible cause of the problem. Common ones include;

Cracking

Inspect the full length and breadth of your stucco-clad walls for signs of cracking. 

Cracks on stucco can emerge anywhere on the wall. They could also assume different patterns depending on the cause. 

Missing Stucco

When stucco cracks go long enough without remediation, you may notice missing chips or chunks of stucco from your walls. This is a major sign of neglect and calls for immediate intervention.

Lingering Moisture

If stucco damage results from water penetration, you’ll often notice moisture lingering on your walls for days or weeks after a rainstorm. 

It could also happen that the water ingress is due to poor plumbing fixtures rather than precipitation. In that case, moist patches may linger on your stucco wall even during the dry seasons.    

Mold Growth

Mold presence on your stucco is another tell-tale sign of water intrusion. 

Molds can trigger a host of upper respiratory infections if left unattended. Besides, these fungi can blemish the appearance of your otherwise elegant stuccos. 

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

3. Undertake the Actual Repairs

Stucco repair methodologies can vary considerably depending on the type of damage. However, the process generally unfolds as follows; 

1. You must wear the requisite personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective glasses, gloves, a helmet, and boots. 

2. Break off loose stucco by whacking it off using a hammer or cold chisel. 

3. Continue breaking off the stucco until you get to the underlying construction material. 

Proceed cautiously to avoid damaging the underlying material. Remember to also use snips to cut any metal mesh within the stucco material. 

4. Fit a grade-D builder’s paper along the edge where the old stucco overlaps with the exposed concrete or wood lath. 

5. Fasten the builder's paper to the lath with roofing nails and add another layer of paper over the first. 

6. Add galvanized metal lath over the builder's papers and secure it with roofing nails. 

7. Using snips, trim the metal lath so it overlaps with the edge of the stucco. 

8. Mix your stucco following the manufacturer's guidelines for first coat application. 

Consider combining the materials in a wheelbarrow using a mixing bowl. 

9. Wet the edge of the old stucco and apply the first coat onto the wet surface using a brick trowel. 

10. Keep applying the first coat until it's about a half-inch below the stucco. 

11. Allow the first coat to lose its wet sheen, then score it with a trowel. 

This helps cement the bond between the first layer and the next. 

12. Cover the first coat by taping a plastic sheet over it to prevent it from drying out. 

13. Let the undercoat sit for a week. 

14. Remove the plastic coat and mist the recently applied coat with water. 

15. Mix up a second coat of stucco and apply it until it's three-eighths thicker than the older stucco layer. 

16. Use a brick trowel to pack down the edges. 

17. Once the layer loses its wet sheen, smooth it using a trowel, bringing it just beneath the existing stucco. 

18. Cover the patch with a plastic sheet and let it sit for three days. 

19. Unwrap the sheet, mist the area, and apply the finish coat. 

20. Let the patch sit for a week, and then paint.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Final Word

When it comes to stucco repairs, timing is paramount. Schedule routine inspections to unearth problems with your stucco-clad walls before things get out of hand. Also, while basic stucco repairs are easy to undertake, extensive renovations may require the intervention of a home improvement expert.