How often should stucco siding be cleaned?
Because of the porous nature of stucco material, it should generally be cleaned once a year. If your climate calls for your stucco to be cleaned more often, it’s to your advantage to do so.
How often should my stucco be inspected in order to address any possible problems?
Homes should be carefully inspected annually or more often if weather dictates the need for more frequent inspections. Stucco can be prone to mold and stains, so it is vital to inspect it regularly or have a professional inspect it for you.
What should I look for when inspecting my stucco each year?
If you live in an area of the country where your home is subject to substantial rainfall, occasional hail storms, and windy conditions, pay careful attention to your stucco’s maintenance needs. The porous nature of stucco can make it more susceptible to attracting dirt and debris, and if moisture gets trapped in it, trouble could be brewing.
Avoid costly repairs by simply inspecting your stucco for mold, mildew, dirt and dust accumulation, or anything that may make your stucco siding vulnerable to damage. Here’s what to look for when you inspect your stucco siding:
– Hairline cracks should be addressed.
– Cracks on foam trim where two pieces of stucco were improperly joined at their seams during their installation.
– Spider cracks may occur because the base coat of stucco under the top layer didn’t cure properly during installation due to bad weather, an improperly combined stucco mixture, or drying too -quickly after installation.
– Patterned cracks, either vertical or horizontal, indicate the board on which the stucco was laid wasn’t secured properly.
– Diagonal cracks may have occurred due to seismic shifts or the opening and closing of doors and windows.
– Discoloration may be a sign of moisture damage.
– Dust or debris may have accumulated over time.
– Nicking from hail storms should be addressed.
– Mold or mildew may have occurred due to moisture that entered the stucco.
What causes the need for repairs on stucco?
The age and resulting deterioration of your stucco
Improper installation of your stucco
Thermal expansion and shrinkage can cause cracks in your stucco
Physical damage to your stucco can occur from hail or high winds
How do I go about cleaning my stucco each year?
Each year, it is important to wash your stucco siding.
Simply hook up your garden hose and rinse your stucco from top to bottom to remove any accumulation of dust and debris. The gentle stream a garden hose provides is perfect for stucco cleaning. It does the job without harming the stucco itself.
Use a stiff nylon brush and a bucket of hot water with dishwashing soap in it to remove any stains on the stucco.
Never scrub the stucco vigorously, as it could damage or loosen the siding.
Rinse the stucco from top to bottom after you’ve dealt with the small spots that needed extra attention.
Remove all soapy water well to avoid attracting additional dust or debris.
Avoid power washing stucco or using abrasive chemicals on it because either of these could compromise the stucco itself.
How do I deal with mold spots or stains on my stucco siding?
If there are unwanted mold spots or stains on your siding, simply combine one part water with one part bleach and apply the mixture to the concerning area. Allow it to soak for five minutes, then rinse it well with your garden hose.
When do we repair any damages to our stucco siding?
It’s vital to stay on top of any small concerns when it comes to your stucco siding. You can avoid future problems that could be costly if you deal with the small issues that pop up with your siding.
Is it wise to hire a professional to inspect and clean my stucco annually?
Stucco specialists provide professional stucco cleaning and restoration. They draw from years of experience with stucco siding. Light exposure can cause some discoloration of stucco siding, but most stucco staining is a result of moisture.
Rust—Stucco that comes into contact with rust from your gutters or gate can become discolored.
Mold and mildew—Mold can grow as moisture gets trapped on the stucco siding’s surface when a shrub or a tree’s branch contacts it repeatedly. Troublesome mold can also grow when moisture is trapped under the stucco siding’s moisture barrier. If mold grows in the area between your stucco siding and your home’s foundation, it should be addressed promptly to avoid costly repairs. It’s wise to hire a professional team of stucco specialists to address the situation.
Avoid costly problems
Avoid pricy troubles with your stucco siding by staying vigilant about stucco maintenance and addressing any stains, mold, cracking, crumbling, or concerns promptly. The experts at Love Your Stucco are ready to help with your stucco maintenance and restoration. Love Your Stucco is proud of our National Remodeling Contractor of the Year award. We are seven-time Best of the Best award winners, and have also received the National Exterior Remodeling Design award. All of our contractors are licensed and insured, and we are conventional and EIF certified. We are also recognized as a Better Business Bureau accredited business.
Call the experts at Love Your Stucco
Our hand-picked employee project managers and factory certified team of technicians are ready to walk you through your stucco siding inspection or remodeling project from start to finish, and we guarantee complete customer satisfaction. Entrust your stucco siding inspection to the professionals at Love Your Stucco. Schedule a free consultation today.
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