Steps for Repairing Stucco
- Break Off Loose Stucco. Whack it with a hammer, or a hammer and a cold chisel, taking care not to damage the underlying wood lath supports.
- Chip Away At The Edges. Continue until you reach stucco that's firmly adhered to its lath. ...
- Cover The Exposed Lath. ...
- Add Mesh. ...
- Mix The Stucco. ...
- Sling It. ...
- Scratch It. ...
- Apply Second Coat. ...
- Put On The Finish Coat. ...
- Wait To Paint. ...
Full Answer
How to repair stucco without damaging it?
Steps for Repairing Stucco. 1 Step 1: Break Off Loose Stucco. Photo by Reena Bammi. Whack it with a hammer, or a hammer and a cold chisel, taking care not to damage the underlying ... 2 Step 2: Chip Away At The Edges. 3 Step 3: Cover The Exposed Lath. 4 Step 4: Add Mesh. 5 Step 5: Mix The Stucco. More items
How to repair stucco lath and wrap around exterior walls?
But leave the lath and wrap behind the good stucco that you removed. Cut a piece of house wrap or felt paper to match the size of the area being repaired. Secure it firmly to the studs or sheathing with a staple gun. Make sure it overlaps the wrap on the margins that you left intact. Seal around the wrap seam with acrylic exterior caulk.
How do you fix stucco that is peeling off?
Tape a plastic sheet over the patch to keep it from drying out. Wait seven days, then remove the plastic and mist the patch with water. Mix up a batch of stucco following the second-coat recipe, and trowel on a 3/8-inch-thick coat, working from the bottom up. Pack down the edges with a brick trowel.
How do you put stucco over brickwork?
Smooth the mix with a finishing trowel, then pack it against the edge of the existing stucco with a brick trowel. Keep adding more material until this layer is about 1/2 inch below the existing stucco surface.
How long does it take for stucco to cure?
As you go along, trowel the patch so that it matches the surrounding stucco finish. Allow the repair to cure for 24 hours, then cover it with a water-based paint, preferably the same color as the home’s exterior. Advertisement.
How to fix a crack in a wall?
The first step may seem counterintuitive: Using a cold chisel and hammer, widen the crack to at least a quarter inch. The edges of the crack should be chiseled perpendicular to the wall. If possible, back cut the crack so that its base is slightly wider than its top.
Can you patch a crack in stucco?
If you have a small crack in your exterior stucco, you can patch it pretty easily—and you definitely should, or you may be in for more extensive repairs down the line. By Bob Vila. Photo: activerain.com.
Can you do stucco repair yourself?
As it is, yes, this is a job any do-it-yourselfer can handle. And it’s important work, so you’re right to have been vigilant. If rainwater were to penetrate behind the stucco, you might have a bigger problem on your hands. To repair stucco, you can use any number of commercially sold products.
How to apply a last coat of stucco?
Apply the last coat, called the “color” coat, to the patched area. Use a stiff-bristled brush, broom or other implement to create a texture that matches the existing stucco. Be sure to practice your texturing technique before you apply this last coat.
How to add texture to stucco patch?
Use a wire-bristled brush to add texture to the patch and match that of the existing stucco.
How to fill cracks in a dime?
Use an acrylic exterior caulk to fill a crack no wider than a dime. Use a sanded acrylic exterior caulk for cracks up to 1/4-in. wide. Smooth the caulk with your finger.
Why is my stucco bubbling?
If your stucco has bubbles on the surface, because the paint has blistered or the stucco itself is bubbling, call a stucco pro. “This could be a sign that there’s a moisture problem and repairing the blister won’t be a permanent fix,” says Cantor.
How to fix a broken metal lath?
Using tin snips, cut a piece of metal lath the size of the repair area. Staple it to the wall or attach with lath or roofing nails.
Can you use colored stucco mix on stucco?
If you’re repairing stucco that has never been painted, use colored stucco mix to match your existing color. If the stucco has been painted, use the same stucco mix you used for the first two coats.
Can you repair stucco yourself?
If there’s a damaged area of stucco larger than a small hole — say a square foot or so — you may be able to do the repair work yourself. “The biggest challenge,” says Cantor, “will be getting the texture of the stucco repair to match the existing texture.”
How to repair stucco?
To determine which it is, mix one part muriatic acid with 10 parts water in a lidded glass or plastic, acid-resistant jar, and drop a chip of the stucco into it. Close the lid tightly and shake. Lime stucco dissolves in acid, Portland cement does not.
What causes stucco to crack?
What causes stucco damage. Water causes most stucco failures. Improper mixing of mortar, bad installation, house settlement, and weather also contribute. Unchecked water dripping where it shouldn’t will cause stucco to delaminate, creating bulges and cracks. Wood lath rots and warps; metal lath corrodes.
How to make stucco sound hollow?
Tap gently with a wood or acrylic hammer on the wall and listen—weak keys will sound hollow, while intact keys send back a solid sound. Use a chisel, or create a series of holes with a drill, to outline the hollow areas.
What are the two types of stucco?
Two types commonly found on American old houses are lime stucco and Portland-cement stucco. The two are not interchangeable.
What is the finish coat on stucco?
The finish coat will make the patch level with original stucco and match its texture. Mix packaged stucco mix (such as Conproco or Quikrete) as directed. As you apply the finish coat, feather the edges of the patch, but don’t overlap the old stucco. Modern stucco mixes are colored with tints.
What causes cracks in a foundation?
Settling is the most common cause of cracks; poor initial installation and seismic activity are others. Investigate to find the reason for cracks that grow or change direction. For foundation problems, a professional assessment may be needed. For hairline or stable cracks, proceed with the repair.
Does lime stucco dissolve in water?
Lime stucco dissolves in acid, Portland cement does not. Caution: When working with muriatic acid, wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing. Work outdoors because of the fumes. Pour the acid into the water, never the reverse.
Why do people like stucco walls?
Just some of the reasons people like stucco walls are its minimal maintenance requirements, looks (many people prefer the appearance of stucco over vinyl siding because it gives a home a unique look), and great wind blocking and insulation value. However, since stucco is a cement mixture and is very hard, it can crack or even get a hole ...
What to do if tar paper is damaged?
If the underlying wire mesh or tar paper has been damaged you will need to get cut out the damaged area and install and firmly fasten new paper and mesh before you start .
Can you fix a crack in stucco?
Thin cracks are usually quite easy to repair and should be fixed before they become bigger . Often very fine cracks can be filled and hidden by a coat of exterior acrylic paint color matched to the original stucco color .
