Are you a homeowner whose home features stucco in its construction? Perhaps you’ve been noticing hairline cracks in the stucco, plunging you down the rabbit hole of home maintenance anxiety. At AI Restoration, we understand that fear quickly multiplies in the face of the unknown. That’s why we’ve written up this little piece to share everything we know about hairline cracks in stucco. That way you can tell the difference between normal wear and tear, subtle signs of larger issues, and everything in between. So tune in and take heart; your stucco sorrows are in safe hands.
Assessing The Cracks In Your Stucco: The ⅛ Rule
The first thing to do when you notice hairline cracks in your stucco is to measure the cracks. This is because stucco naturally cracks over the years, and the smaller hairline cracks are usually benign – a standard symptom of aging. However, if the cracks measure greater than ⅛ inches in width, it’s time to take action. In this case, we highly recommend consulting seasoned stucco professionals like AI Restoration, as stucco repair is anything but a DIY job. In the next section we’ll explore why.
Paint Now, Pay Later
If you’ve noticed hairline cracks in your stucco, your first instinct may be to fix it yourself. Unfortunately for most homeowners, this often means painting over the cracks. While this seems like a logical solution on the surface, the results can actually be devastating to your home. This is because stucco is porous in nature, allowing your home to breathe. When you paint over stucco to hastily mask cracks, you’re actually sealing off the porous, breathable surface of stucco. This “surface seal” creates an environment where moisture can become trapped in the inner layers of your home, ushering in a breeding ground for mold growth and other unwelcome house guests. Trust us: if you paint now, you will pay later.
Hairline Cracks In Stucco: The Proper Solution
If you measure the cracks in your stucco and find them to be greater than ⅛ inches in width, the proper solution is to re-dash. This is a complex process that involves applying a single coat of Portland cement with coloring. Again, it is not something we recommend that the homeowner try on their own. This is a delicate process to be performed by professionals with years of stucco repair experience under their belts. If you think you may be in need of stucco services, reach out to AI Restoration today for a stucco solution so good it will leave you speechless.
