A Step-by-Step Guide to Repairing Stucco Cracks Like a Pro

Due to its longevity and low care requirements, stucco is a commonly used exterior finishing material on houses and other structures. But stucco can fracture over time for a number of reasons, including moisture, shifting temperatures, and foundation settling. In addition to detracting from the building’s architectural appeal, these fissures, if ignored, may result in additional harm. We’ll talk about simple steps to remedy stucco cracks in this article.

What is meant by Stucco?

Made of cement, sand, and water, stucco resembles plaster. It is used on external walls and can be shaped into various patterns and textures to get the desired appearance. Extreme weather resistance and durability are two of stucco’s best-known qualities.

Stucco Crack Causes:

Stucco cracks can happen for a number of causes, such as:

• Variations in temperature: Stucco may expand or shrink, resulting in fractures.
• Foundation settling: Over time, a building’s settling can put stress on the stucco, which might result in cracks.
• Moisture: If stucco is not properly sealed, moisture may seep into it and cause it to break.

Locate the Supplies Needed to Fix Stucco

To start, while doing stucco siding repairs, you should always wear gloves and safety eyewear. The supplies you need are as follows:

Quikrete Polyurethane Concrete Crack Sealant, Quikrete Pre-Mixed Stucco Patch, and Quikrete Stucco Repair

Caulk gun

screwdriver

Putting knife or margin trowel

A wire brush

A utility knife

Chisel Hammer

For polyurethane concrete crack sealer, use a citrus-based cleaning or commercial solvent.

Read More: How to Fix a Cracked Coolant Reservoir

Cloth

It will be much simpler to do your repairs if you have all of these materials on hand before you begin.

To successfully repair your stucco cracks, adhere to following how-to instructions.

Suggested Resources & Equipment

Bucket Ladder Protective Clothes Float Rubber Scraper Stir Stick Stucco Patch 5-in-1 Tool

FIRST STEP

Scrape away any loose material from the area that is fractured with a scraper.

TIP: To expand cracks smaller than ¼” wide, use a 5-in-1 painter’s tool. This will enable the patching material to adhere firmly to the damaged area by clearing away old stucco, paint, and other debris from the gaps.

STEP 2 Fill an empty plastic 5-gallon container with the proper mixture of stucco patch and water, as directed by the manufacturer on the label.

ADVICE: The product dries rapidly. Only combine enough stucco patch material to apply for 15 to 20 minutes.

Read More: Oridzin

Step 3

Press the patching material into the injured area with a rubber float. Apply a coating into the crack that is no thicker than ¼”. Let it settle. Stucco patch material should be applied in ¼” thicknesses until it is flush with the surrounding surface.

TIP: Before proceeding with the stucco patch, seal in any small gaps by using paintable, high-quality caulking material.

Step Four

Use a clean rubber float to sweep away any surplus material in a circular motion before the final coat of patching material dries. Integrate the mended area with the current texture. Permit the region to air dry.

ADVICE: After using your tools, clean them.

Step Five

Eliminate any remaining dust or debris from the repaired area.

Shop Now: Automatic Litter Boxes

Advice for Guarding Against Stucco Cracks:

• Check for damage or cracks on the stucco surface on a regular basis.
• To stop moisture seeping in, carefully seal the stucco surface.
• Create expansion joints to accommodate temperature-related movement around windows, doors, and corners.
• For the repair of any large or intricate stucco cracks, hire a qualified contractor.

Anticipations Regarding Stucco Crack Repair…

After outlining the three primary approaches of addressing cracks in your stucco, I wanted to include an update on what to anticipate going forward. There will be continuous movement in certain regions once a crack has formed. If you examine a stucco wall that has cracks in the morning on a hot day and then return later in the day, you may see that the number of cracks has decreased.

This is because the heat caused the stucco to expand, closing the fissure and providing visual evidence of movement (expansion and contraction).

Based on my observations, the majority of cracks disappear and never come back after utilizing one of the three techniques mentioned above. But, no material will completely prevent cracking, so you should only anticipate an average repair rate of 70–80%, not 100%.

The finest crack repair outcomes, with a chance that the cracks won’t recur, come from meshing a full wall and putting a recoat in an older, settled home, but this can be costly and isn’t always a workable choice.

In summary:

To sum up, repairing stucco cracks is an easy task that can be accomplished with the appropriate equipment and supplies. Finding the reasons behind the cracks is crucial to stopping them from happening again. Stucco cracks can be avoided by installing expansion joints, sealing properly, and conducting routine inspections. For repairs, it is best to use a qualified contractor if the cracks are too big or intricate. You may prolong the lifespan and visual appeal of your stucco façade for many years by adhering to these suggestions.

FAQs

How long do stucco patch layers take to dry?

I recommend allowing a full day to dry for each ⅛-inch of caulk thickness. Drying could take longer in cool, muggy weather.

What seals stucco cracks the best?

For sealing stucco cracks, use flexible, adhesive polyurethane sealants from reputable manufacturers like Quikrete.

Is caulk suitable for cracks in stucco?

If the cracks are smaller than ½ inch, caulk is the best option. Prior to making repairs, you should always clean and enlarge the cracks.