WHAT IS STUCCO?

Stucco cladding is a siding material made of Portland cement, sand, lime, and water. Applied in three coats, it provides a solid, durable, and seamless home exterior. Some advantages of stucco include a natural resistance to fire, lasting durability, and low maintenance.

Stucco is one of many reservoir cladding options. Claddings made of wood, fiber cement, stucco, concrete, and masonry all absorb water to varying degrees. 

Hardcoat stucco systems are susceptible to moisture damage if not properly applied, caulked and flashed. In recent years it has been discovered that severe damage has been occurring behind stucco walls that is often unseen. Through our research 85% of home owners do not know there is an issue occurring. It is typically only through professional testing that these deficiencies or damage are discovered. 

The amount of water absorbed must be controlled with correct installation of windows, doors, and flashing. Flashing refers to thin pieces of impervious material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint or as part of a weather resistant barrier. 

The water that is absorbed must be allowed to drain through the use of drainage planes. Drainage planes are water repellent materials (building paper, house wrap, sheet membranes, etc) that are located behind the cladding and are designed and constructed to drain water that passes through the cladding. They are interconnected with flashings, window and door openings, and other penetrations of the building enclosure to provide drainage of water to the exterior of the building. 

Further, any penetration through the stucco that is left unsealed will allow entry of moisture or bulk water. Even an average size home can have an extreme number of penetrations, including: 

1. electrical boxes 

2. exterior receptacles 

3. light fixtures 

4. plumbing lines and faucets 

5. cable TV lines 

6. satellite dish mounts 

7. security systems 

8. gutter straps 

9. shutter brackets 

10. deck rail penetrations 

11. gas lines 

12. dryer vents 

13. telephone lines 

14. damaged or punctured areas of stucco