When stucco isn’t installed properly, small cracks and its porous nature cause it to absorb water. This leads to damage like mold, rot, and structural issues. If your stucco is showing signs of moisture problems, it’s important to address them promptly. The longer they are left, the bigger and more costly they become.
If you’ve inspected your siding and found issues, the first step toward solutions is to have your stucco checked by a contractor. They will recommend stucco repair or remediation. Repairs are different from remediation, and gaining knowledge of their differences can help you decide what to do.
How Stucco Repair Is Different Than Stucco Remediation
Stucco Repairs Defined
What is a stucco repair? This is a surface-level, temporary fix. Repairing your siding can be a viable solution if it was damaged due to external forces (such as being struck by debris during a gust of high wind).
The advantages of repairing your stucco include:
- It’s fast. Repairs are relatively quick to complete.
- It’s easy. The nature of the surface problem that needs repairing matches its solution. Compared to remediation, repairs are a breeze.
- Repairs are relatively inexpensive. The basic nature of stucco repair needs makes them more budget-friendly than remediation.
When to Repair Your Stucco Rather Than Remediate It
You should only choose to repair your stucco when you have surface-level damage. If your stucco has hidden issues like moisture intrusion or rot, you’ll only end up repairing it repeatedly—while the hidden damage cascades into major issues.
If your siding is new and you simply have a few small cracks in it (with no evidence of mold, rot, or moisture present), then stucco repair may be a feasible solution.
Stucco Remediation Defined
What is stucco remediation? This is an expansive process that addresses the root cause of your home’s siding issues. The result of remediation is the complete resolution of your stucco problems once and for all. It is a permanent fix! Unlike stucco repair, remediation takes care of the damage at the source.
Your stucco will be stripped away, down to the base layer of your exterior wall. Once the outer layers of stucco are removed, the internal damage can be properly repaired. When the repair needs that were once hidden are resolved, new siding will be installed on your exterior, creating a weather- and water-tight seal and giving your home the best possible opportunity to bypass moisture penetration problems in the future.
After enduring the challenges of stucco issues, homeowners often choose a more durable siding product for their house’s protective layer. The weather-resistant makeup of Hardie® siding and trim products make them a superb choice. Hardie™ Weather Barrier adds another layer of protection to your home, giving you confidence your house is safeguarded from moisture issues.
The advantages of stucco remediation include:
- Remediation ensures your stucco problems are finally over. When you go through the detailed process of remediation, and you have a moisture-resistant siding installed on your home, you’ll have peace of mind that your most significant investment is well protected.
- The rest of your home will be well safeguarded from damage. When moisture penetrates stucco and is left unaddressed, the problem starts small and then cascades into major issues that spill over to other areas of your home. Your walls can turn to mush. Moisture can penetrate your home interior (like ceilings and floors—turning your carpeting into a wet mess). But the good news is that when you hire an experienced contractor (like us!) to address your stucco issues with remediation services, your whole house will be shielded from the risks of water infiltration.
When to Choose Stucco Remediation Instead of Repair
Stucco remediation is needed when a severe underlying issue exists—like mold, rot, water penetration, or structural damage. While remediation is a more significant financial investment than repairs, stucco repairs simply won’t get the job done if your situation calls for remediation.
How to Know Your Stucco Is Failing
If your stucco has small or large cracks in it or appears chipped, moisture may be a problem. If you notice stains on your siding, it’s likely moisture-related and can lead to unhealthy mold and rot, putting your home at risk of structural issues.
Inspect Your Stucco Closely to Determine Its Needs
Walk around your home and look carefully at your stucco siding.
- Do you see any bulging areas?
- Are there small or large cracks or chips in your stucco?
- Do you notice any discoloration on your siding? Pay close attention to the area around your windows and doors.
- Does your stucco crumble in your hand when you touch it? Does it seem brittle?
- Do you notice the musty smell of mold or mildew when you are inside your home or outside as you walk around your house?
- Are there any signs of water damage in your house? Do you see moisture stains on your walls or ceilings? Is your carpeting wet anywhere?
- Do you notice bubbling along the bottom edge of your stucco siding?
- Is the drywall inside your home soft? Check particularly around the bottom of your windows on any walls where you suspect damage.
Let the Trusted Team at Preferred Home Improvement Professionally Assess Your Stucco Siding for Premium Results
Repairs are for minor damage, and remediation is for major or recurring damage to your stucco (usually due to its installation). When you aren’t sure whether you need repair or remediation, our experienced team at Preferred Home Improvement can help determine the extent of your damage before you decide on one service or another.
It can feel overwhelming to know you have stucco issues and not be sure how extensive they are. Take the guesswork out of the right solution for your stucco problems by having an experienced team of pros look carefully at your siding. Take a moment to learn how our stucco remediation services can solve stucco issues permanently.
