Excessive cracking in stucco

Professional property inspection provides inspection and evaluation of residential and commercial stucco systems. Normally, cracking will not occur in plaster applied to uncracked masonry bases if the plaster bonds tightly to the base structure. Stucco is used worldwide in all climates on all types of structures over a wide variety of substrates. The plastering contractor thinks the walls were subjected to excessive moisture,rain penetrating to the osb then baked by the sun, then expanded and contracted to crack the stucco. Excessive water used in mixing the plaster affects the cements ability to bond and bind the aggregate.

Expansion, wind and stress all play vital roles in why cracking occurs. Unfortunately many of todays consumers are receiving inaccurate information regarding cracks in stucco. Professional residential and commercial stucco inspection. If structural problems or installation defects are suspected, have an engineer take a look. Made from cement, sand, lime, and water, its a durable, energyefficient exterior that helps keep homes looking beautiful.

Learn reasons for stucco crack repair, why does stucco crack, types of stucco cracks, misconceptions cracks and how to keep your stucco from cracking. It is the nature of stucco to experience some cracking. Professional home inspectors focusing on stucco know what to look for and where to look for it. For example, vertical cracks above and below wall openings suggest building settlement, whereas repetitive vertical cracks across the wall on 16 or 24inch intervals suggest a siding issue. If there are minor cracks in your stucco, this is a project that most san francisco homeowners can tackle if they want to. Irregularites in the brown coat will cause the finish coat to dry unevenly, and produce a mottled color as well as excessive cracking. Fowc 05 field of wall cracking at stucco thickness variations lath line wires at open stud framing. Nearby construction construction sites down the road, loud explosions and even a close flying plane can cause your home to shake which may give way to stucco cracks.

In florida, stucco is a common choice for exterior wall cladding, but after time, cracking can become a problem. There are two types of stucco houses, one that is cracked and ones that are going to. Most of the time, these will be relatively small and are refer to as hairline cracks. Contrary to popular belief, this is completely normal.

When painted too soon, the stucco does not reach the proper hardness and will remain that wayfor the life of the stucco. Once moisture or water gets inside a wall, it will inevitably cause further damage. Consisting of portland cement, sand, lime and water, stucco is a longlasting, low maintenance siding option. Each year hundreds of colorado homes are diagnosed with stucco failures. To ensure full satisfaction with the stucco assembly, reasonable expectations should be established with respect to cracking prior to selection of the stucco assembly and plastering contractor. To minimize excessive cracking, keep your home at a temperature between 55 to 80 degrees fahrenheit, even when youre gone for extended periods. However, they can provide a pathway for moisture and water to enter into a wall system. Lack of crackcontrol joints, improperly spaced crackcontrol joints, andor improperly installed joints can also result in excessive cracking in stucco. These joints and beads are open in the back and can allow water to seep behind the stucco. Cracking is inevitable when it comes to stucco, just like any type of cement based product. Stucco crack repair explained by professional stucco. Often this cracking is a result of a complex combination of events. Hot weather hot weather is defined as ambient temperature exceeding 100 degrees fahrenheit 37.

Other construction defects found in stucco walls include. This is caused by either drying too quickly, too muck water in the mix, or mixed. This article will focus on the investigation of cracks and some suggested repairs. Cracking in stucco can also indicate water intrusion. Proper furring is critical because the lath must be fully embedded in the stucco for it the lath to function properly. Cant i just power wash the stucco instead of getting an inspection. It is very subtle, which can make it difficult to spot with the naked eye. So what the sam hill is going on with all of these newer stucco applications that are reportedly failing. Do not apply pressurized water at areas where there is substantial cracking in the stucco surface. Cracking is one of the largest complaints from homeowners with stucco homes.

At the end of the day, we throw away the left over mortar by putting on an empty cement bag, piece of plastic, or whatever. If you experience a stucco crack that exceeds the specifications in the standards of performance 18, your new home warranty covers a onetime repair during your homes first year. Now that you know why stucco cracks, lets find out how serious a stucco crack can be. These cracks frequently occur at locations where the. Expansion joints in stucco stucco newsinfo on stucco. Stucco cracking in portland cement plaster base coats parex. Stucco wall cracks defects construction defect attorney. Portland cement plaster shall be protected from uneven and excessive evaporation during dry weather and from strong blast of dry air. We repair, replace or install exterior stucco to restore beauty and performance to your home exterior. If you have a small crack in your exterior stucco, you can patch it pretty easilyand you definitely should, or you may be in for more extensive repairs down the line. The northwest walls and ceiling bureau stucco resource guide available here is a great resource for more information. The excessive shrinkage puts too much stress on the coat, leading to deep cracks on the surface of the wall. Stucco cracking in portland cement plaster base coats.

Correctly repairing stucco cracks key to long term. Point 2 of my 12 point list of methods for reducing cracking. Stucco wall cracks defects construction defect attorney in. The most common conditions resulting in delaminations and excessive cracking identiied through our ield investigations of metallathsupported stucco systems include the following. It just seems excessive and something else is going on under neath that is causing all the cracks. Stucco is an attractive covering for homes and is found all over the tampa bay area. Mar 20, 2007 this can also happen to cement stucco applied over absorbent masonrytype surfaces. However, like any type of siding, stucco is vulnerable to impact damage and settling. However, the degrees to which stucco cracks do vary and should be dealt with according to how serious the cracks are. As stucco dries, it shrinks, and microcracks can occur, making the finish relatively porous.

Identifying various cracks in stucco the stucco guy. An inspector will first walk completely around your home and look for telltale signs of moisture mostly staining, cracks, improper flashing, and stucco running below grade. Dec 18, 2017 professional stucco repair contractor can always recognize stucco cracking originated by plywood because of the different crack directions. Stucco is a very durable finish material with a typical life span of 5080 years or more. This system is designed to mitigate surface cracking in the new and existing plaster systems by integrating woven fiberglass mesh into a polymer modified base coat prior to applying the finish. Now in the winter i am seeing more and more hairline cracks and some spider cracks but still hairline. Isolated cracking includes individual cracks or widely spaced cracks within an. Remember that the lath acts as a structural support for the stucco during the application and curing process of the stucco, and should be located in the lower third. Jason and i have over 850 original, educational, and free youtube videos. We have excessive cracking in a 3 coat stucco system placed over osb shear panel. Repairing stucco cracks, why new stucco walls can crack youtube.

An excessive number or wide cracks in stucco should be investigated by persons qualified to investigate stucco assemblies. The result is excessive cracking, crumbling, and water damage. Successful stucco and lath application over structural panel. Spalling happens in concrete because of moisture in the concrete. Most of the time these types of cracks can be fixed by homeowners with no plastering experience required, and requires minimal tools to do so. The settlement directs pulte to repair the homes and compensate homeowners who have been affected by the poor stucco work and any damages caused. Excessive cracking, however, usually means something was done improperly for example, the mix may have been too rich too much cement, the stucco layers may have been too thick, or the walls may not have been allowed to cure properly. Choosing the right stucco repair materials for the job is critical. Because of these serious risks that cracked stucco can entail, it is important to deal with it promptly. Control joints should be installed per stucco system manufacturer recommendations and per the specific system icces report with all components properly integrated.

It forces the surface to peel, pop out, or flake off. Multiple hairline cracks in stucco hello everyone, i started this thread in february 20 although depressing i listened to your advice and took the step to hire a moisture inspector from exterior design institute the absolute best in eifs inspector training. Construction defects that affect stucco include siding that is too thin, has excessive cracking, is discolored or stained, or is missing vapor barriers. Stucco remediation faqs precision contracting services. Figure 1 or wider pattern cracks as shown in figure 2. The exterior walls of an occupied building should, among other things, prevent excessive air and water from entering to the interior. What causes stucco to crack, crumble or come loose. It is the purpose of this article to define normal cracking as opposed to excessive cracking. All stucco walls and ceilings are susceptible to cracking, no matter how good the structure, the design. The jobs we did that had excessive cracking all had tyvek. Depending on size, cracks can run the gauntlet from invisible to unsightly to the cause of major water intrusion, if they arent addressed in a timely. The main cause for this stucco crack is from the base coat not curing properly. There are quite a few reasons why each of these different types of cracks happen. Pulte homes reaches settlement in faulty stucco issues.

Other common problems with performance of tile include discoloration and cracking. A too rich mix almost always results in cracking, especially when the coat is applied too thick. As a result, the mere sight of a hairline crack causes great concern. Mix the right stucco crack repair formula for the job. Excessive cracking, warping and delamination of portland cement plaster stucco can be caused by structural movement, inadequate application, improper curing or inadequate proportioning of the plaster mix. Like virtually all materials used to finish the exterior of homes, stucco can experience cracks throughout its life cycle. Other issues that cause cracking issues in plaster can be brought on by improper installation of lath, improper mixing procedures and a couple of other variables. Quikrete makes some good products for stucco repairs. Although control joints are typically used during construction to minimize stucco cracking and to accommodate. Go over the exterior with a light pressure wash to clean the surface and remove dust and cobwebs. Stucco, like all cementitious products is susceptible to cracking. Inspect the finished surface annually for excessive cracking.

Observing a certain cracking pattern and relating it to its likely causes can be a challenging exercise. Conventional stucco is a hard and durable system and in most cases will outlast the structure itself. Repairing hairline cracks in exterior stucco a helpful. Virtually all stucco homes these days all suffer from one thing, cracking. Colorado ranks in the top two states for stucco failures from water intrusion and freezethaw damage. Aug 15, 2017 as you might have guessed from the name, this type of stucco crack resembles a spider web on your siding. The january 2007 article on stucco cracks dealt with myths, planning, caveats and suggested contract language when working with such systems.

If excessive cracking does occur, the application particularly floating procedure may not have provided adequate bond of plaster to concrete masonry. Vulnerable to excessive cracking details are well developed. How to repair stucco cracks on florida home dons painting. To repair excessive stucco cracking on existing walls, the aplc recommends the application of a base and mesh system also known as a lamina system. Jul 23, 2008 cracking is one of the largest complaints from homeowners with stucco homes. Figure 1 view of excessive cracking with ine cracks.

Its also known as flaking, especially in limestone. Craze cracks crazing is an excessive amount of surface shrinkage cracking which can result from an overlywet plaster mix, from excessive calcium chloride set accelerator added to the mix, from the adding of excessive water while troweling, or from excessive drying of the plaster before the pool is filled. Helpful tips for placing plasterstucco materials in hot and cold conditions. Professional stucco repair contractor can always recognize stucco cracking originated by plywood because of the different crack directions. Too much wind can suck the moisture out of your stucco, causing it to shrink and crack, while extreme heat and rain over time can cause the stucco to deteriorate. As you might have guessed from the name, this type of stucco crack resembles a spider web on your siding. Mar 03, 2016 consisting of portland cement, sand, lime and water, stucco is a longlasting, lowmaintenance siding option. For these small cracks, get a flexible, paintable, exteriorgrade caulk. However, we maintain our reputation for excellence by properly installing stucco systems per manufactures recommendations. Multiple hairline cracks in stucco inspectionnews home inspection. Put on the scratch coat one day, let it cure overnight, then put on the brown coat. All stucco cracks are the result of stucco releasing stresses placed on it by shrinkage, expansion or other movement. Stucco crack repair explained by professional stucco contractors.

Fine sand finish or smooth finish textures accentuate cracks in stucco, while. Control joints are installed to mitigate excessive cracking, and lattices and corner beads are used to bind stucco around windows and corners. The cracking pattern on stucco may suggest whether the movement is structural or just a siding issue. There will be excessive cracking and lack of strength if not cured properly. We place particular emphasis on vulnerabilities in the stucco system, construction details, and the. It is not recommended to use pressure washers on stucco siding as this can cause additional damage to the stucco. They ranged any where from 45 feet long to the length of my garage wall 16 plus feet between the front windows. Sand with excessive fine materials, clay or too much dirt can all lead to volume loss of material shrinkage stress. This system needs to be moist cured for several days.

The brown coat should be flat and held consistently about 18 inch below the surrounding finish coat. Excessive or fast evaporation of water from the cement plaster will cause shrinkage cracks and also deprive the cement in the stucco of adequate hydration. All by your favorite plaster geek,me, and jason, my son, the. For exteriors, plaster shall be applied when the ambient temperature is higher then 40 degrees, unless the work area is enclosed and heat is provided. I have never guaranteed stucco against cracks, although in the last couple of years i have cut the cracks down to none or very few by using plasticizers in the mortar. For instance, roofs should be fully loaded, interior drywall should be installed, and the brown coat should be given at least seven days to cure 14 days is recommended to find its equilibrium prior to the application of the finish coat of plaster. Stucco which is made from a mixture of sand, cement, water and lime is another option. Many contractors simply use the cheapest materials that are unsuitable for our unique climate conditions. So, be extra careful not to miss this kind of stucco crack. All stucco walls and ceilings are susceptible to cracking, no matter how good the structure, the design, engineering, mix, application, and site supervision. But just like any other construction material that includes portland cement, stucco is prone to cracking. Technical bulletin 1 recommendations for smooth troweled. Hello everyone, i have a 5 year old home that had a few hair line cracks the first year.

Hot and cold helpful tips for placing plasterstucco. Keep in mind that water can enter the building through cracking stucco so maintaining the health of the system is key to protecting your asset. Pulte will repair brand new homes up to two years as of july 1, 2018 with a 116inch or greater excessive stucco cracking and. Though cracks in stucco can occur due to different factors, including wrong mix proportions, insufficient mixing, poor workmanship. Incorrect stucco mix proportions improper gradation of sand poor curing delamination between stucco coats. Therefore, when faced with an allegation that stucco cracking is a construction defect, the pertinent inquiry should be whether the cracking is excessive.

Any confirmed problems like excessive structural movement, a bad stucco mix or installation defects are serious and should be remedied. Spalling sometimes incorrectly called spaulding or spalding is the result of water entering brick, concrete, or natural stone. Stucco manufacturers and plastering contractors are both constantly striving to. For these small cracks, get a flexible, paintable, exteriorgrade. This type of cracking is basically a sign that the base coat did not cure properly.

Hard coat traditional stucco is 38 to 1 scratch, brown coat over wire mesh or lath, joints about every 150 square feet to minimize cracking and a textured finish. Most stucco cracks develop as a result of excessive evaporation of water from the stucco. Cracks normally occur in the base coats and simply transfer through the finish. The clay absorbs excessive moisture and in turns shrinks more. For instance, floridas summer high temperatures can cause water to evaporate faster from the stucco, leading to drying shrinkage and hairline cracks.