Preventative maintenance is critical for avoiding common stucco issues. After you apply it to your walls, it should be rather simple to maintain, needing just little cleaning or repair work to keep everything in excellent shape.
Here are some helpful tips for preserving stucco that can help you prevent common issues and prolong the life of your façade.
Stucco Preventative Maintenance 101
Most contemporary stucco is constructed of a sand-cement combination, which gives it a very long life – industry experts estimate that well-maintained stucco may last 50 to 80 years.
On the other hand, Stucco must be maintained to exist. As a result, preventive maintenance is critical.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Indoor stucco requires significantly less upkeep than outdoor stucco since it is normally kept at a constant temperature and does not have the sun beating down on it all day. It does, however, need a new coat of paint now and again.
Outdoor stucco, on the other hand, demands a lot more upkeep. For starters, it is exposed to the sun all day, which may cause significant wear and tear. Aside from that, outdoor stucco is vulnerable to other elements such as wind, dirt, and dust. The majority of the dirt and dust you’ll encounter is pushed into the air by passing cars.
Fortunately, most external stucco requires a little cleaning. However, this includes the necessity for minor repairs from time to time.
Make it a habit to inspect your stucco once a week to determine when it needs to be cleaned. If it’s seen better days, nurture it in one of the following ways.
Stucco Preventative Maintenance: Cleaning Stucco
Cleaning your stucco may be done regularly, in advance, or outside.
Regular Cleaning
Because stucco is permeable, dirt accumulates both inside and outside. Fortunately, as long as your interiors are clean and free of dust and debris, your stucco should need water and some elbow work to maintain its appearance.
Under typical conditions, you only need a soft-bristled nylon brush and warm water to clean your interior stucco. You don’t want to drown the brush; you only want it damp. Apply water to the surface and scrape lightly. When finished, wipe away any residual residue with a microfiber cloth.
Advanced Cleaning
Preventative maintenance is more challenging when removing stubborn stains from stucco.
Industry professionals often utilize trisodium phosphate (TSP), a powerful chemical cleaner, at most hardware stores. To utilize TSP effectively, significant forethought is required.
Using TSP Safely
When dealing with TSP, it is essential to take the proper precautions. Failure to comply with this risk significant consequences. Harm, including chemical burns.
To begin, make sure your workplace is well-ventilated. Open all surrounding doors and windows and turn on a fan. Wear personal protective equipment such as a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and safety glasses next.
When you’re ready to start working, dilute the chemical 15-to-1 with water. Apply it to the stucco with a nylon brush and let it dry completely. Normally, this takes a few hours.
Outdoor Cleaning
Preventative maintenance for external stucco may be difficult. Outdoor stucco is often dirtier because of its regular exposure to the elements. The key to keeping your outside stucco clean is consistency.
You’ll need a power washer or a garden hose with a spray nozzle to clean external stucco. Using your favorite instrument, spritz the stucco with a fine mist. After moistening the stucco, switch to a more vigorous spray setting and blast it from top to bottom. Spraying downward prevents dirt from accumulating at the wall’s base.
Check for any residual dirt once you’ve finished spraying. If you discover any, use a brush to remove them. Manually remove it. Scrub gently to prevent damaging the stucco.
If you still have blemishes following this technique, use a sprayer to apply your TSP solution directly to the dirty or discolored area. Allow enough time for the stucco to dry before rewashing the area.
What Happens if Stucco Isn’t Repaired?
Stucco is a very durable substance. While this characteristic is responsible for many advantages, it may also be hazardous if the surface is not well maintained.
Stucco may develop chips, cracks, and holes over time, making it a perfect hiding place for mildew, rodents, and dangers. If a minor problem is not handled promptly, it may quickly evolve into a large one.
Even if you don’t see any visible defects on the exterior, your stucco may still have problems due to internal degradation. This kind of damage is much more mysterious and difficult to identify. In reality, many homeowners only detect the warning signs once it is too late.
Mold might grow under the stucco if you see discoloration under your windows. Pay attention to scents as well. A strong odor of wood rot might signal something is amiss with your stucco.
Stucco Issues in Edison, NJ? Contact the Experts at CMB Edison Stucco & EIFS Repair!
Remember that preventative maintenance is critical for extending the life of your stucco. Keeping your siding clean, durable, and beautiful takes a little attention here and there.
If you have problems with your stucco, you must act soon to minimize more damage.CMB Edison Stucco & EIFS Repair can help with that. We apply stucco correctly, guaranteeing that your surfaces will sparkle for a long time.
Do not disregard your stucco issues. Contact Stucco right away and let us know how we can help.
