For homes in eastern PA and across the United States, stucco has been a very popular siding material for decades. Even so, many homeowners ask: Is stucco safe and durable for building exteriors in the long term? As with any type of siding, the safety and longevity of stucco hinges on it being properly installed. Let’s expand upon what this means.
Is Stucco Safe for Your Home?
Naturally, one of the biggest concerns when buying any residential or commercial property is making sure it’s built to last. Not only is this important to protect your investment, but also for the well-being of the people and possessions inside.
So, is stucco safe to have on your structure in both of these regards? Whether you’re considering purchasing a stucco home in eastern PA or you already own one, it’s certainly fair to wonder this – especially if you notice signs of stucco damage like:
- Staining/wet marks that remain long after precipitation has ended
- Cracks – big or small; widespread or localized
- Bubbling
- Visibly thin or flaking stucco
- Gaps or leaks around windows & doors
- White marks on stucco
Seeing any of the above can indicate that there are serious issues with a stucco system, which consists of numerous different parts beyond the actual stucco you see on the exterior. Some of the most common flaws we encounter in our exterior remediation work include:
- Lack of a comprehensive, well-designed water resistant barrier
- Poorly installed flashing around windows and doors
- Use of low-quality materials throughout the siding system
- Installation not done according to manufacturer instructions
- No control joints to handle minor structural movements and prevent cracking stucco
- No weep screed to allow moisture to drain out of stucco at the bottom
Oftentimes, a combination of problems are at play that allow water to intrude into the siding without a path to then drain out, leading to mold and rot inside the walls. Even if you can’t see them yet, water issues pose serious health and safety hazards and need to be addressed as promptly as possible.
Learn More About Our Effective Stucco Remediation Solutions
To summarize, stucco’s performance depends on how it was installed. If it was done by experts following proper procedures, then stucco can provide many years of protection and resilience, keeping your home dry and preserving its integrity. If parts of the stucco system prove to be inadequate, however, major damage can result and compromise safety.
Therefore, it’s very important to speak with a remediation professional like Ai Restoration if something seems amiss with your stucco. To schedule a free in-home consultation to learn about how we get to the bottom of siding issues and resolve them the right way, call us at 215-794-6858.
