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Painting the stucco is a good idea to keep the house looking nice.

Can You Paint Stucco?

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There are many types of materials that are used to build houses and one of them is stucco. Stucco is seen in many states in the south due to dry climates and less rainfall. One of those states is Florida. As with anything, sometimes it needs to be updated without replacing it. Can you paint stucco? Yes, and it can last about 10 years if you prep the area correctly and also use high-quality paint.

Let’s learn more about painting stucco.

What is Stucco?

Stucco is a durable, weather-resistant type of plaster used as a decorative coating for walls and ceilings, predominantly on building exteriors. It’s composed of cement, sand, and lime and applied in three coats over a lath base.

Can You Paint Stucco?

Yes, you certainly can paint stucco. Painted stucco can last up to 10 years or more depending on the quality of the paint used and the preparation done before painting.

Cracks can appear in the stucco so it is a good idea to fix them and then paint them.

Why Do Homeowners Want to Paint Stucco?

There are various reasons to paint stucco. Primarily, people opt for painting as it allows them to change the color of their exterior according to their preferences. Furthermore, it also provides an additional layer of protection from the weather.

Is It a Good Idea to Paint Stucco?

Painting stucco can be beneficial as it enhances its durability, improves the appearance of your exterior, and adds a protective layer against harsh weather conditions. However, the decision greatly depends on your personal choice, the climate, and the condition of your stucco.

What States Are Good for Painting Stucco?

Regions with dry climates such as Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas are ideal for painting stucco due to less rainfall and humidity. Stucco is also used in Florida and many homeowners paint their homes.

Prepping the facade so cleaning the stucco so it can be painted.

Prep For Painting Stucco

When planning to paint stucco, make sure you thoroughly clean the surface before applying paint, use high-quality paint, and let each coat dry fully before applying the next one. Before painting, the stucco should be properly cleaned and any damaged parts should be repaired. Make sure the surface is dry before starting to paint.

Type of Paint to Use to Paint Stucco

Acrylic latex paint is typically the best choice for painting stucco, as it is flexible and can withstand the texture of stucco.

Steps to Paint Stucco

  1. Clean the surface
  2. Repair any cracks or damage
  3. Apply a primer
  4. Start painting with the chosen color
  5. Allow the paint to dry before applying a second coat

Take a look at the video below for steps to paint stucco.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you know about painting stucco, let’s take a look at a few other areas of recommended maintenance. One of those is pouring concrete in the rain. Sometimes it is hard to avoid our projects when it is raining, and you may have to pour the concrete in the rain. If this happens, you have to remove the excess water.

Another is what to put around the foundation of the house. You can put mulch, flower beds, plants, or grass around the foundation of the house. Make sure you also leave a few inches of space between the mulch and home if you go that route to keep out pests and termites.

Lastly. it is important to lock your garage door. This is because you need to make sure you have security in the home. You can have security by having padlocks, hasps, a smart garage door opener, or a garage door opening button.

When Do I Call a Professional?

If the stucco is severely damaged, it’s best to hire professionals to repair and paint it. Also, for larger projects with hard-to-reach areas, professional painters would be a safer choice. It’s important to keep the outside of your home looking nice and well-kept. You never know when you are going to move and need to keep it nice. Home maintenance is important to keep the home looking good.

Conclusion

Painting stucco is a great way to refresh the look of your exterior while also adding an extra layer of protection. However, proper preparation and the right type of paint are key to ensuring the longevity of the painted surface. If you aren’t sure how to paint the stucco you can reach out to Inside Out for recommendations for professionals. Also, while painting your stucco, this is a good time to have a home inspection. Reach out to Inside & Out Property Inspectors today.

Stucco a new home can require some good drying time.

How Long Does Stucco Take To Dry

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Watching a house get built or remodeled can be rather exciting. As an outsider, you never really know how it is going to turn out. There are always a lot of questions such as, is the house going to be brick, wood shingles, vinyl siding, or stucco? Each style of the exterior gives each home a unique feel and look. Today, stucco appears to be the most popular choice for homeowners and builders. The material that is used is very strong and wind resistant. However, you will need to give it time to cure and settle. How long does stucco take to dry? Typically, it can take up to 90 days for all layers of stucco to finish drying.

Let’s take a look below to understand more about stucco.

What Is Stucco

Stucco is a very common exterior material used on homes in Florida, Texas, and most southern states. Also, it is seen in the Northwest on many homes. Stucco is a mixture of aggregates, binding material like concrete, and water. Stucco is a popular choice because it can be painted. Also, it provides a very decorative look to the home, which increases the aesthetics. Having a home that has great curb appeal increases its value.

What Are The Stucco Layers

Homes that are built using a stucco exterior will have three layers of stucco on them. Let’s take a look at what those layers are.

  • Scratch coat – the main layer of any stucco exterior.
  • Brown layer – this layer is the middle layer and goes on top of the scratch coat.
  • Stucco coat – the final layer of your stucco home. This layer can be painted or shaded to increase the home’s curb appeal. All layers must be dry before painting the stucco coat.

The magic number of days for a stucco job to dry is 90. After the 90 day mark, you can pressure wash and clean the stucco, and then paint it.

Repairing a crack in the stucco is fairly easy to do.

How Is The Drying Process Affected

Just like with any project, you need to keep an eye on the areas that could slow your project down. In some cases, environmental conditions can slow the drying process. Let’s take a look below at what those effects might be.

  • Humidity – the higher the humidity levels, the longer it takes for the stucco surface to dry. Too much moisture in the air is not a good thing.
  • Outside Conditions – if the air is dry, it will pull water from the stucco. This will dry the three layers the fastest, however, it could lead to cracking and make the curing stucco fragile. When the temperatures are cool, damp, and a little cloudy the stucco dries right. If the base coat of the stucco is too damp due to continued rain, the stucco will not dry properly.
  • Brown coat – if the brown coat is not mixed properly, it could slow the drying process. The brown coat must be mixed properly with a specific amount of water.
  • Temperature – the best range of temperatures for the stucco to dry is between 40-49 degrees Fahrenheit. If your home is built in the summer or fall, the stucco will usually have the best drying conditions. The brown coat must be applied at the same temperatures as the other two coats in order to dry properly.

Judging the right weather conditions is never an easy task. As stucco absorbs the water and becomes wet stucco it creates a chemical bond. Depending on the time of day, the drying time could take a little longer.

How Much Does It Cost

The cost of a stucco replacement will vary based on how much square footage the exterior of the home is. The national average for stucco is $8 to $12 per square foot. This typically includes labor and materials. Also, in some instances, the cost differential is simply based on where you live. If the conditions are right and the job is easier to complete, the price will be a little lower. You can expect to pay around $10,000 or more for a new stucco job.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you are up to speed with how long it takes stucco to dry, you can determine your next steps when finding cracks in your stucco. If there is a crack in your stucco it is fairly easy to repair. Any crack less than 1/8 in. in size, can be fixed with Quikrete or a repair kit from a local hardware store.

Next, there might come a time where you are fed up with your stucco. Maybe there are too many cracks and the repairs would cost a lot. In this case you have decided to go with a rather inexpensive replacement called vinyl siding. Before you go and hire a vinyl siding installation company, consult your local home inspection team to see if you can install vinyl siding over the stucco.

Lastly, while you are looking into stucco repairs, the cracks are likely the cause of a shift in your foundation. Now is a great time to determine how severe those foundation repairs are. It might be possible to stay in the home during foundation repairs. However, consult your structural engineer to ensure that your family stays safe.

Hire a professional to stucco a house.

When Do I Call A Professional

Accomplishing a big project such as stuccoing your home is definitely something that should be left to the professionals. There are too many outlying factors that could slow down a do-it-yourself project. This could end up costing you a lot more money. If you aren’t sure who to call or if you need stucco replaced, call on your local home inspection team. They can come out and inspect the exterior of the home. Additionally, they can recommend a reputable stucco contractor.

Conclusion

When it comes to an important job like stucco, you want to ensure that you hire a licensed building contractor who has experience with stucco. Also, it is important to take your time with the project as it takes 90 days for the stucco to cure completely. Reach out to your local home inspection team so that they can help determine the extent of your stucco needs. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

What is a Weep Screed

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Have you ever stopped to think about what is involved with stucco work on a house? There are many parts and pieces that go into your stucco work. One of those parts is a weep screed. What is a weep screed you ask? Well, it is a piece of metal flashing that is set at the bottom of the exterior walls of your home. Its main job is to pull the moisture out of the walls and provide an outlet for it to drain out.

The main purpose of this is to allow moisture and water to flow out and away from areas where it might collect and cause damage to your walls.

How a Weep Screed Works

Your weep screed works in two ways. First, it is installed to allow the stucco something to adhere to. So, when adding the stucco, the weep screed acts as a grabbing material so that the stucco stays on the wall. Secondly, it is installed to reduce moisture issues from behind the stucco. Moisture can build up and needs a place to go. Using the weep screed provides an outlet for the moisture to drain at the bottom of the walls. Thus, keeping your stucco dry and free from bubbling up and cracking.

Never Block a Weep Screed

It is important to understand that blocking the weep screed will cause a massive moisture issue within your stucco walls. You might think it pipes are leaking in the walls when it is actually moisture building up.

The weep screed provides the moisture build-up a place to leave the walls and maintain a dry area under the stucco wall. Keep in mind, if you are installing a new patio, the contractor needs to angle the slap in such a way that it does not block the weep screed. Blocking it will cause major damage to your walls and home exterior.

weep screed

Do You Really Need a Weep Screed

Installing a weep screed under your stucco is highly recommended and in many cases a local code requirement. When installing it you must follow the proper overlap and clearance codes if you expect to get project completion approval. The general opinion is that it is highly effective and a very useful tool in stucco application. It also allows for a clean break on your foundation and walls and a nicer look

I would recommend using this on every stucco project unless you are matching an existing building that never used it and you want to match the rest of the house.

weep screed on a stucco home

When a Weep Screed is Required

The question of when a weep screed is required is actually fairly common. It is highly recommended to use one when placing stucco over wood on a house. This is standard when you have a new construction build. They are code enforced and those codes can vary based on counties and states. Since it is meant to reduce moisture in the walls, they are typically not used on a cinder block or concrete home, because both concrete and cinder block are materials that can handle the moisture already.

Where to Buy a Weep Screed

Believe it or not, you can buy a weep screed at Home Depot or Lowes. However, it is highly possible that the one that you would like to have is not in their inventory. Typically, you will find one that is a 7/8 type and not the “J” type. If you want to get the proper type, you should go to a stucco supply yard for the best choices. Stucco supply yards will carry a three-coat and one-coat system, and the weep screeds are made from specialty metals that will not rust. In addition, those at the stucco supply yard come in various sizes and flanges as well.

Maintenance of Other Areas

Weep Hole – You might think the name weep screed sounds funny, but there is also a weep hole. A weep hole is in brick and some windows to let the moisture out. If it is not there, water can back up in the home. We all know that water backing up into the home can cause mold and other problems so always make sure the holes are open.

A weep hole is also in many windows. When it rains, the weep hole is there to let water drain. Just like the weep hole in a brick, if it clogs, the water backs up and goes into the home and down the wall. Thus, allowing staining on the walls and mold to grow.

Plumbing – if you have an older home, keep an eye out for plumbing issues. Older homes can have issues in drains, sewer lines that fail, and old fixtures to name a few.

cleaning stucco on a house

Clean stucco – since the weep screed is on the stucco and you are going to take a look to make sure it is working, it is a good time to clean the stucco. Cleaning the stucco can be done by using cleaning detergent, water, and a brush. This is easy to do and the good news is you aren’t using chemicals.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional if the weep screed is either not installed properly on your stucco home, or if it is missing or blocked. Also, if you have any questions about installation or are experiencing any leaking of water in the home. If this is something you don’t want to put in yourself, calling a professional is the way to go.

Conclusion

Weep screed is important to keep the moisture away from the home. Keeping moisture away is essential as it can wreak havoc on the home. The idea of the is to keep water out of the home, thus avoiding any damages. Inside and Out Property Inspectors can check the weep screed in your home to make sure it is working correctly in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL areas. If not, they can refer a professional.

Dirty stucco

Easy Ways to Clean Stucco

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A home is a great place to own or rent and making the outside look nice is always fun with paint or landscaping. Also, homes are made of various materials such as brick, concrete, stone, or metal to name a few. Stucco is a very popular building plaster, especially here in Florida. While It is eco-friendly and a mixture of concrete, sand, and limestone, it is also highly porous and stains easily.

Stucco is nice to have, but it does need to be cleaned at least once a year. Are you wondering how to clean stucco? You will need a few things: A water hose, bucket, scrub brush, and a concentrated cleaner. You may even need a power washer if the stains are tough or it is a large area. Before you clean the stucco, there are a few things you need to do first. We will look at the steps needed and how to clean the stucco.

We will take a look at why you need to know how to clean stucco, things to think about first, before cleaning the stucco, starting the process, rinsing the stucco, other areas of maintenance, and when to call a professional.

Why You Need to Know How to Clean Stucco

Stucco is a great material to have on a home, but it does require a little more maintenance than vinyl siding or brick. It is important to clean it correctly and after surveying the home for cracks. Cleaning the home once a year will allow you to get the pollen, mold, mildew, moss, and algae off the house so you can keep the home looking great for years to come.

Things to Think About First Before Cleaning the Stucco

Time

Think about if you have the time to clean the stucco? It can take all day depending on the size of your home.

Budget

If you pay a professional to clean the stucco, it can range from $200-400 depending on where you live and the size of the home. Time is money and it may be nice (or necessary) to pay someone else to do it for you.

Safety

Using protective wear is important, and this includes goggles and gloves. Also, if you need to climb on a ladder to get to the stucco, think about if you are physically able to do that.

Here are the steps to cleaning stucco.

Fixing stucco

1. Before Cleaning, Check the Outside of the Home

Walking around the outside of the home to check for cracks is essential before you clean the home. You are looking for cracks in the stucco that need to be filled in. A homeowner can fix small cracks, such as less than 1/8. In fact, it is a great idea to try to do this on your own as it can save you money. Use Quickrete to make the repair or get a kit from a local home improvement store, around $5-$30. You can also use caulking designed to fill stucco cracks for those smaller cracks.

Stucco issues

Issue Found While Checking the Outside of the Home

What if you find a crack that a credit card can fit into? This is something you need to contact a professional to check out. Issues may be found because of things such as:

  1. Installation of the stucco was not properly done when the house was in the building stage
  2. Expansion joints are not in the correct place
  3. The stucco was not applied or mixed properly
  4. The home is having structural movement
  5. And others

Contacting a professional is your best bet in this case and hold off on cleaning that area of the stucco until the problem is fixed. We conduct stucco inspections in Jacksonville and St Augustine for this reason.

Here is a video about cleaning stucco. In this video, he starts with a fence, but you get the idea.

What Can Happen If There Are Cracks and You Continue to Clean the Stucco

If there are cracks and you continue to clean the stucco, mold and mildew can form. This is because water and other things have already gone into the crack and it is possible that it has gone into the home. Once it is in the home, it can become a big mess to clean up so the earlier you find it the better.

Garden hose to clean stucco

2. Start the Process of Cleaning the Stucco

After you check there are no issues or you fix them, you are ready to start the process of cleaning the stucco. Grab the following items:

  1. Garden hose and attachment
  2. Bucket
  3. Heavy duty sponge
  4. Pressure washer
  5. Soft bristle brush
  6. Cleaning detergent

You will be working in a small area each time. Starting with the garden hose, you will spray the house and start to see the dirt coming off. You may need to put the attachment on the hose if you need it to spray harder to get tough to remove spots or in crevices.

You may even want to use a power washer if you have one or can borrow one. However, make sure you know how to use it properly. If you go this route, use a pressure level of 1,500 PSI or below and a 25- or 40-degree nozzle. Remember the surface of stucco is porous and too strong of pressure will damage it. Check there are at least 24 inches between the nozzle and the stucco surface and rinse the surface at a 45-degree angle.

After Removing the Dirt

Then, once all the dirt is removed, you can mix dish soap, borax, and water together to create a cleaner. This is done by taking 2 gallons of warm water, 1/2 cup of Borax, and 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap and mix it together. If you choose to use the pressure washer for this, apply the solution at a downward angle using a 65-degree nozzle tip, leaving 18 to 24 inches between the nozzle tip and the stucco surface. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes but don’t let it dry, it will be harder to wash off.

The other option is to get a good stucco cleaner to help get the stains off and make the area shine brighter. Follow the directions on the packaging and use the heavy sponge to wash it off. The last resort is always bleach as a cleaner.

If you find algae or mold on the outside of the house, you can use the cleaner you made to clean it off the house. Also, you may want to investigate where it came from as well.

3. Rinse the Stucco

Lastly, take a soft bristle brush to get the stubborn stains off and rinse with the hose. You always need to rinse the house from top to bottom when applying any cleaners. Finding rust stains? You may need a rust remover and a pump sprayer and the local hardware store can help you find the right one. As always, rinse off any chemicals you put on a home.

If you aren’t comfortable cleaning this on your own, you can hire a professional.

hvac maintenance

Other Areas of Maintenance

Check the HVAC

While you are cleaning the stucco, check the HVAC outside to see if the grass is away from the unit and it is working. Go inside the home to where the air handler is and make sure it turns on and there is no water leaking. If you do find water is leaking from your air handler, it could be a few things that you would want to check out. If you are not sure, contact a professional.

Check the Windows

Does it seem like the windows leak when it rains? This can be due to a number of factors such as a crack in stucco, poor paint, cracked sealant, or more! Calling a professional may be best to find where the leak is.

Gutters Should Be Clean and Have Downspouts

Cleaning the gutters out and allowing debris to flow smoothly into the downspouts and out to the yard is important. If they are clogging, clean them out. If not, the water can back up into the home.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional if you need help cleaning the stucco, or you find cracks or other issues around the exterior of the home. Also, they are helpful with diagnosing issues and helping you solve them. If something doesn’t seem right, it is always better to call someone to ask. You want your home to last a very long time so taking care of it is imperative.

Conclusion

Stucco is common in many houses, especially on ones built here in the south. But just like with everything, it needs to be kept clean and taken care of. You want the stucco to last a long time and for that to happen, you need to take care of it. Inside and Out Property Inspectors will inspect the stucco during your home inspection. We also inspect stucco as a standalone inspection.

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