411homerepair.com

How to Repair Stucco Siding on Your Home

by Guest Post on Apr 12, 2010

Stucco is a cement-based siding product that is extremely popular around the country. Compared to other siding materials, it is fairly easy to maintain and repair. This article discusses how to repair cracks and gouges, and paint stucco. Traditional stucco is a mixture of Portland cement, lime, sand, and water. It is usually about 3/4 inch thick, very porous, and holds on to paint very well. Color can also be mixed into the finishing coat of stucco, eliminating the need to paint.

Repairing cracks

Stucco is tough, but brittle and can sometimes crack as the house shifts or settles. Hairline cracks should not be repaired, so you do not have to try to repair every crack. If you cannot get your fingernail into the crack, the paint will usually fill it. For cracks up to 1/4 inch wide, you can repair them with a high-quality, exterior grade, acrylic latex caulk.

Clean loose debris out of the crack using a V-shaped object to get down in the crack. Then you can brush it, or use a vacuum cleaner. Caulk the crack with paintable silicone caulk and smooth it out with your finger. Using your finger makes it easier to exactly match the existing texture. Use the 50-year kind of caulk for the best results.

Wipe off excess caulking with a damp sponge in all directions to clean the rough texture. Here is a trick. Put some fine texturing sand in the palm of your hand and blow the sand to scatter it onto the wet caulk. This will roughen up the surface making it less noticeable.

Repairing wider cracks and gouges

For this job, you need to use a stucco patching compound. For the material to hold properly, exactly the right amount of water must be added. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Thoroughly clean the crack or gouge as you did for small cracks. Use a putty knife or trowel to fill the area with a latex patching product. Thin the patch compound to the consistency of something like pancake batter. Dab a paintbrush into the wet material and holding one hand between the paintbrush and the wall, hit the brush handle against your hand splattering the material onto the repair area. This technique will match the texture of the surrounding stucco. You can smooth it out with a putty knife or trowel to the texture you want after the compound hardens a little bit.

Painting Stucco

For smaller jobs, use a roller. Use an airless sprayer for larger jobs. For best results, do not use a paintbrush for stucco other than to add texture. Spray the paint onto the surface and then use a 3/4 inch to 1-inch deep nap roller to work the paint into the surface for uniform texture. It usually requires two coats to cover stucco sufficiently because stucco is so porous. It may also require a second coat to cover small cracks and your repairs.

Windows / Siding 6778 Views

Latest Articles

Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan

When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...

on Jan 12, 2025

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide

By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...

on Dec 19, 2024

Global Real Estate Trends: What’s Driving Property Investments This Year?

For investors hoping to optimize returns in the ever-changing world of real estate, knowing current trends is not merely a matter of staying...

on Dec 19, 2024

5 Reasons to Use Gutter Cleaning Services

Gutters protect your home from water damage by directing rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation. However, they often required regular...

on Nov 14, 2024

Before You Sign: How Home Inspections Identify Hidden Hazards in Your Future Home

Buying a home is exciting, but hidden dangers can turn that dream into a nightmare if not addressed early on. Beyond what is visible during a...

on Oct 18, 2024

Actions

More DIY Articles

How to Create a Pink Playroom for Your Princess

As your daughter moves from infancy to her toddler years, the desire to create a magical playroom for her is sure to take hold. Every little girl...

Bedroom / Furnishings

Repair and Replace: Effective Ways to Sell Your Home Faster

What puts you in the mood to buy a house? Is it a dirty paint job with overgrown grass? What about a stone driveway past its prime? Are you...

Real Estate / Finance

Avoid these 5 Mistakes when Operating a Circular Saw

Circular saws are quite versatile and efficient tools when used properly, but can pose a serious safety hazard if used incorrectly. Here are five...

Tools / Woodworking

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage restoration is a specialized service that requires professionally trained cleaners. Most of the time, regular carpet cleaning guys...

Cleaning / Maintenance

Prioritizing Your Home Improvement To-Do List

If you are like many homeowners, you have a seemingly endless list of home improvement projects - remodel the kitchen, paint the house, replace the...

Improvements / Remodeling

Contact Us | Submit Article | 411homerepair © 2025