Water leakage is a common issue with stucco, especially in areas where seasonal rain is common. If water seeps into the stucco, it can soften the areas it comes in contact with, eventually causing the stucco to break down. This can lead to significant structural damage if left unnoticed. Some leaks can occur from not having a weep screed installed, which allows water to sit and absorb into the material. To prevent water intrusion behind stucco, take a slow walk around your exterior walls at least twice a year and examine them.
Signs of stucco damage to look out for include leaks in the stucco siding, aged or missing caulking, cracked or discolored stucco, and improperly sealed exteriors. Monolite Systems provides a comprehensive guide on detecting, repairing, and preventing stucco water damage.
Stucco can absorb water due to its porous nature, but it is designed to manage and release moisture without damaging the structure. Unfinished stucco should not get wet, so properly applied exteriors are waterproof. Substandard stucco can allow moisture to penetrate, and if there isn’t a secondary moisture issue, stucco should never be painted. Improper installation that leaves a gap between the bottom edge of the stucco and the concrete can lead to water leakage.
Ignoring stucco problems can be disastrous, and it is essential to learn the 7 warning signs of stucco water intrusion and the danger of ignoring them. Stucco can be left unpainted, either for a short period of time or throughout the lifetime of your stucco. Waterproofing a stucco finish requires a multi-step process that provides high resistance to water intrusion while allowing water vapor to easily escape. Small cracks in stucco mean nothing compared to the larger problem of water leakage.
📹 (DON’T PAINT STUCCO)
In this video I’m going to give you 5 good reasons why you should not paint your stucco. Stucco is one of the lowest maintenance …
Is it okay to leave stucco unpainted?
Stucco can be left unpainted and still withstand the test of time, but certain parts require protection. These include the water-resistant barrier for three-coat stucco systems and the foam used on one- or two-coat systems. These layers should be covered within 1-4 weeks. The layered stucco system allows for a hard and durable exterior without needing paint to extend its lifetime.
Some stucco can be colored and not require a finish coat, but an uncolored base layer with a finishing coat will last just as long as if color had been added to the base layer. The finish coat provides a layer of protection for all types of stucco finishes, including traditional, synthetic, and acrylic.
Stucco base coats are typically composed of cement, sand, lime, and water. Plastic cement, which already has lime added, works well when added to the stucco mixture. When wet, the stucco is typically dark gray, and once dried and cured, it forms into a lighter gray color. Once the base coat has dried and cured, a finish coat is typically layered on top of the base, which can be color-added, painted, or left as is.
Can unpainted stucco get wet?
Stucco, a popular choice for siding homes in dry climates like Colorado, is vulnerable to damage from rain, sunlight, and settling. Elastomeric stucco paint offers several protective benefits for property owners, improving the longevity of stucco and keeping the home looking brand-new.
Stucco is not invincible, as it still faces the power of the sun, which can lead to cracks in the cement/sand combination. Left unrepaired, these cracks can grow over time, allowing water to damage the core infrastructure of the home. Additionally, harsh sunlight can fade the color of stucco, making the home look damaged or unfinished.
Elastomeric masonry paint is one of the best exterior paints for stucco, creating an added barrier of protection that keeps the stucco in great shape longer. It is formulated to adhere to masonry work and create an even, heavy, UV-resistant build that can withstand the damage caused by sunlight day after day.
In a state with 300+ days of sunshine each year, this is a benefit every stucco owner should consider.
Does rain go through stucco?
It is of the utmost importance for homeowners or potential buyers of stucco homes to identify and address any issues that may arise with the stucco material, as improper installation can result in water intrusion and a material that appears and feels outdated.
What is the most serious problem with exterior stucco?
Cracks in stucco walls can cause water seepage, a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Replacing stucco with an alternative material like siding can prevent this issue. Staining from poorly installed stucco can ruin the home’s appearance, and it is best to protect it from water. Windblown rain can pound stucco from all directions, making it difficult to withstand moisture from any angle.
Mold is another issue that can lead to water infiltration, and stucco is the worst offender. Preventing mold growth is crucial for a homeowner’s health, and improperly installed stucco makes this difficult.
Is stucco not waterproof?
Water can leak through stucco, especially through cracks or openings. The material is prone to sucking up and retaining moisture, making it vulnerable to water damage. To waterproof wall systems with stucco, a rainscreen system like DELTA®-DRY STUCCO and STONE can be installed. This system allows stucco materials to drain and dry effectively, ensuring the protection of wall assemblies. Matt Risinger’s stucco protection system for homes includes products like this.
Does exterior stucco have to be painted?
Stucco is a durable exterior choice, but it still requires regular exterior maintenance. It is recommended to paint every 5-10 years, depending on the home’s condition and factors like climate, previous painting services, and home care. Homeowners should invest in routine maintenance and be vigilant for small cracks. Structural issues should be repaired promptly to ensure the home’s longevity. CertaPro Painters® offers stucco painting services, which are similar to sided painting but with additional considerations for local environmental factors. To ensure paint longevity, homeowners should be aware of the home’s current condition and consider the following tips for painting stucco homes:
- Clean the home thoroughly before painting.
- Use a high-quality paint that matches the color and texture of the stucco.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or harsh cleaning agents, as they can damage the paint.
How long does unpainted stucco last?
Stucco walls may show signs of wear and tear, suggesting the need for exterior stucco painting every five to 10 years. The longevity of stucco is determined by preparation and technique, but it can be difficult to determine when it needs painting due to its unique behavior. To determine if your stucco needs painting, answer the following questions:
- Do you live in a climate with high moisture or humidity? Stucco homes are most commonly found in arid climates, as they do not thrive in areas with excessive moisture or precipitation. Therefore, your maintenance and painting routine should be more frequent if you live in a moist climate.
Does exterior stucco need to be painted?
Stucco is a durable exterior choice, but it still requires regular exterior maintenance. It is recommended to paint every 5-10 years, depending on the home’s condition and factors like climate, previous painting services, and home care. Homeowners should invest in routine maintenance and be vigilant for small cracks. Structural issues should be repaired promptly to ensure the home’s longevity. CertaPro Painters® offers stucco painting services, which are similar to sided painting but with additional considerations for local environmental factors. To ensure paint longevity, homeowners should be aware of the home’s current condition and consider the following tips for painting stucco homes:
- Clean the home thoroughly before painting.
- Use a high-quality paint that matches the color and texture of the stucco.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or harsh cleaning agents, as they can damage the paint.
Can water leak through stucco?
Stucco, a waterproof material, can sometimes suffer from water infiltration due to various conditions. Direct infiltration occurs when water penetrates the stucco surface, leading to deeper infiltration. Consistent moisture contact can also allow water to penetrate the stucco. If sprinklers or other sources of water keep walls wet, water infiltration can occur. Cracks, which are the only effective barrier against water, can allow water to enter the stucco.
Cracks can cause swelling and shifting, leading to worse cracks that allow more water inside. Small cracks in the exterior can form over time, which is not a structural issue but can allow water to penetrate the interior, leading to mold and other issues. Therefore, it is crucial to address these issues to ensure the longevity and integrity of stucco.
Is exterior stucco waterproof?
Stucco, a masonry product, is not entirely waterproof. It is permeable and can allow some water through. Waterproofing a stucco finish requires a multi-step process to provide high resistance to water intrusion while allowing water vapor to escape. Water sealers repel water from penetrating the masonry surface, while waterproofing products fight against water. DRYLOK Extreme Masonry Waterproofer is an example of a waterproofing product that infiltrates the wall pores and becomes part of the wall.
Will painting stucco make it waterproof?
Elastomeric-modified paints offer excellent weather resistance properties for painted stucco. To prepare stucco for painting, follow these simple steps: wash exterior walls with mild detergent, rinse well, and let them dry. If pressure washing is desired, consult the 10-Step Guide to Pressure Washing – The Right Way. Make necessary repairs, choose a primer compatible with the substrate and paint system, prime surfaces, and let them dry before applying the paint.
If painting new stucco, allow it to cure and dry for 90 days before applying the primer, letting it dry, and painting the walls. Performance Painting offers residential and commercial painting services, and professionals can provide expert advice, a free estimate, or a high-quality paint job in Jacksonville, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Middleburg, Amelia Island, and surrounding areas.
📹 Should Stucco walls breathe or be sealed by painting
Should Stucco walls breathe or be sealed by painting. To breathe or not to breathe? That is the question, Kirk Giordano, stucco …
Really appreciate your articles and communication style! For stucco houses with 90 degree angles on exterior features (balconies, stair landings, exterior of stairwells, or like in this article, walls that terminate over driveways), would you recommend or expect to always have a weep screed along the bottom edges of such angles to provide the water absorbed by the stucco a place to escape? I rarely see screeds when looking at such features from below, and not sure why (maybe they are hard to see when installed correctly?)
A common idea or principle in the cold country of the northern US, is that a vapor barrier should be on the warm side of a wall, warm air being considered moist air, and you don’t want that meeting with cold air and condensing anywhere inside your walls. You don’t want to trap air inside your walls. Wood can get wet and not rot, when it gets to dry out, but if it stays damp it will rot. So, is the moisture coming from the outside in, or is it from the inside trying to get out? That is the question to consider.
I have a faux stucco that is just direct applied vertical finish, its a sort of flexible finish over wood boards. It’s in the midwest and gets beat up by the elements. There is water getting in somehow, mainly into the wall below a balcony. There is no water escape so I know some of the boards are warped underneath. Can I install weep screeds to the fake stuff I have? I don’t think there is paper. What else can I do?
I live in a 22 yr old stucco home with a flat roof. Had new windows installed 2 yrs ago and have had one leak that we cannot find the source. HELP please. The window company has been amazing in trying to determine the source, we have a 10 yr guarantee with our roofing company and they have been great as well…..except no one can find the source. Our newly remodeled home has a major leak. Can you come to Scottsdale AZ to help me?????
Hi Kirk, great article. I need to expose the stemwall for a repair on my 1938 home in San Diego and what the heck, time to update with a weep line get ride of that forever crack at the plate. Is a roto-hammer the best way to remove the stucco from the stemwall, what do you recommend? great articles, thank you!
I want to answer about walls breathing. If there’s no moisture barrier, like in a barn or shed, or certain parts of older homes, like under deck, under stairs, parts of attic, etc… then absolutely! If you start insulating and sealing and sheetrocking inside, everything will mold and rot. As waterproofing goes. Kirk is dead right about preserving the weepholes. Always waterproof at the top. Please don’t fill holes at the underside of things. I can not tell you how much mold and rot has been caused by people, especially painters, filling gaps and holes that show on the underside when you look up at a house. Please take this advice. Pretend you are water. Where will you go? Block the entrances but make damn sure you open all the exits.
Hi Kirk, I have a question I’m replacing windows around my house, and realized the whole house only has one layer of old black building paper, to keep the elements out I was thinking of painting with elastometric paint, I’m in so cal bye palm springs, what’s your opinion of that idea if you dont mind me asking thanks
I watched your articles awhile back when I was replacing windows and doing stucco repair but now I find myself, even thought I’m no longer doing any stucco work, perusal your articles because I enjoy your presentation, clear, enjoyable and even fun to watch. I could have turned on “Game of Thrones” but why bother!
I’m also around the bay area and our house has stucco all the way to the ground or surrounding concrete with no weep screed. Although the stucco has been painted matte by the previous owner, some of the lower floors show signs of penetrating damp. It only happens with strong storms (driving rain), and the windows were done at the same time, so we’re pretty sure its a stucco problem. Would sealing the stucco with a proper sealer help, or should we install a weep screed to let it drain? Unlike the situation in the article, we could go either way rather than solving one situation with another.
Hi Kirk, I saw your suggestion for the Bosch 11255VSR SDS-plus BULLDOG Xtreme Rotary Hammer, but was wondering if the Makita HK1810 would be a better choice if I could afford one of the two. The guy that does the masonry for us uses the Makita 1810. It is more expensive, but is the difference worth it? I am just a weekend project enthusiast but enjoy the best tools. What do you think. Do you have the Makita 1810 too? If you do and you can post a link maybe I can buy from your recommendation. BTW your articles are consistently great, I am a big fan.
You need to consider the latitude or climate in relation to sealing or not sealing exterior stucco. In warmer climates it’s fine either way, but in higher latitudes like Alaska or Scandinavia, you heat your home most of the year, and during this time a dew point will form inside the exterior walls when the warm air finds its way through towards the cold exterior, and condenses. The depth of the dew point depends on the temperature differential indoors vs outside, and the amount of insulation. Sealing your house like a plastic bag will either rot the walls or have the stucco fall off. A breathing exterior will dry outward, since your heated house literally glows with heat (in the thermal infrared) during the cold months. The colder it gets the faster it will dry. In the high north we only use maintenance free cement and lime finishes, and (potassium) silicate paints that don’t form a vapor barrier. Wooden panel exteriors always have a ventilation gap. The Interior side of these walls always have a vapor barrier (paper) or seal (plastic/paint) near or as the inner most surface, which is the only vapor barrier allowed.
Thanks, Captain Kirk. You are helping me with my stucco repair here in Miami. Used Mor-Flexx at your suggestion. Tropical Storm Emily came through last week and 2 days of 7 inches per hour of rain left us with only 1 leaking window, not 5 windows like last year. Troubleshooting this last window. Keep up the good work!