Spring cleaning season is nearly upon us. As daylight hours become longer, we have more time and energy to tackle the home maintenance tasks we’ve been putting off all winter. That being said, as you try to decide how to clean up your home’s exterior, one of the things you may be wondering is can you pressure wash stucco? In short, no. Read on to find out why not.
Can You Pressure Wash Stucco?
You should NEVER pressure wash your stucco. No matter how many DIY blogs may say it’s safe, we cannot disagree more strongly. As the leading local stucco restoration company, our team at Ai Restoration has had to remediate and restore countless stucco homes suffering from mold, rot, and structural damage that occurred as a result of pressure washing. While it is important to properly maintain your stucco exterior, pressure washing is likely to cause problems.
What’s the Problem with Pressure Washing Stucco?
Although stucco is extraordinarily durable when it comes to protection from natural weather issues, it can still be damaged.
- The intense force behind pressure washing is destructive for stucco. Pressure washers are capable of expelling water at speeds of up to 243 miles per hour – that’s on par with Category 6 hurricane winds, or the bite pressure of a great white shark and a lion combined! Something that powerful probably isn’t appropriate for your home’s exterior.
- That level of pressure is likely to cause serious cracks in stucco, which allow moisture to seep through to your home’s structural framework. Once mold and rot take root, the repairs to your home’s foundation could cost thousands, or even tens of thousands.
- Even if you use a “safe” level of pressure, the chemicals typically used in pressure washing are damaging and can wear down stucco.
As a result, when we hear “can you pressure wash stucco?”, we feel compelled to explain that it’s truly the worst way to clean your stucco exterior.
What Happens If My Stucco Is Already Damaged?
At Ai Restoration, we have over 20 years of experience in remediating stucco homes that have suffered water damage. If your stucco has stains, or any other visible concerns, we’d recommend taking a closer look to rule out underlying moisture problems. Contact us to schedule a consultation appointment.
