Over time, all homes and buildings show some signs of wear and tear. But how can you tell when “some” is really “too much”? When it comes to stucco cracks around windows, consulting a stucco expert like Ai Restoration is key to getting the right answer.
Stucco Cracks Around Windows
What’s Normal?
It might sound strange to say, but some cracks in stucco are normal. Over time, hairline cracks smaller than ⅛ of an inch may form due to normal settling of a home. Stucco is a material that can expand and contract, which makes it suitable for the extremes of our northeastern climate. That also makes it more susceptible to minor harmless cracking.
While cracking can occur anywhere, harmless cracks in stucco are most often seen near door and window frames. This is due to these areas being less foundationally solid. If you notice small cracks like these, you can probably breathe easy. But keep an eye on them, because if they grow, they can become dangerous to your foundation. To avoid structural damage, hire a stucco expert to perform an annual inspection of your stucco home as part of your responsible preventative maintenance plan.
When Should You Worry?
Cracks larger than ⅛” typically signify that there is something you should address. However, you cannot simply paint or seal stucco cracks. Doing so inhibits your stucco’s natural permeability and traps moisture beneath the stucco — a major no-no. Having a trusted stucco expert on call is key to preventing minor hairline cracks from turning into more destructive cracks.
What Will Happen if I Ignore Stucco Cracks?
You should always be attentive to the state of your stucco. Larger stucco cracks are gateways that invite trouble, such as:
- Crumbling stucco, leading to an exposed foundation
- Mildew and mold growth: not only unsightly, but destructive
- A decaying and rotting foundation due to water breaching the protective layering.
Ask the Experts at Ai Restoration
To ensure that you diagnose the correct cause of stucco cracks around windows, call the stucco experts at Ai Restoration. Like a good doctor, we find and treat the cause, not the symptom, of stucco cracks. Through our honest customer service and quality expertise, we’ve earned our reputation as the stucco experts you can trust.
