When you first notice a crack in your stucco, it can be tempting to DIY the repair with a stucco crack filler. But before you spend the money and the man hours, let’s talk about why many stucco crack fillers fail.
Stucco Crack Fillers are No Match For Moving Buildings
One reason cracks can appear in the stucco walls is because of wet/dry annual seasonal patterns. As we go from winter to summer to winter again, the ground beneath your home shrinks and swells and shrinks and swells. With time, this seasonal ground movement causes buildings to shift and settle. As the building moves, one part of the foundation may go a bit up, while another part moves down slightly. Stucco doesn’t stretch, so because of the shifting, it cracks.
As the shifting the comes with wet/dry seasonal patterns continues, the crack opens and closes repeatedly over time. For example, a crack that is 3/16″ wide could increase 1/8″ over a few years and then decrease to 1/16″ a few years after that.
Cement fillers are not flexible enough to stretch with the opening and closing of the crack. And often, caulk fillers will struggle to stay attached to a crack that continues to change in size.
Stucco Crack Fillers Don’t Fix Underlying Issues
Another reason stucco cracks fillers can fail is because not all cracks are the same. Some cracks are caused by normal wear and tear. But some cracks can be a sign of a much bigger problem. By filling a crack yourself, you could be unknowingly making the damage worse.
Patching the crack in your stucco may fix the cosmetic problem. However, the underlying cause of the crack could be creating even more damage without your knowledge. That damage could then worsen the existing crack (not mention, allow moisture to seep in), rendering stucco crack filler all but useless.
Unless you are a trained professional, it can be hard to tell the difference between a crack caused by normal wear and a crack due to a much bigger problem.
Forget the Fillers, Call A Professional Stucco Craftsman!
While using a stucco crack filler may cover the problem, it’s not the best long-term solution. Lasting and successful stucco repairs require skill, training, and knowledge. Forget the crack fillers and call a team of professional craftsmen!
Ai Restoration is a stucco repair company outside of Philadelphia. We know stucco inside and out! Our skilled craftsmen have 17 years of experience working with residential and commercial stucco buildings.
Contact us at 215-794-6858. Not only will we explain why sealing and repairing stucco is the best answer, we’ll answer all other questions you have about caring for your stucco!
