For those looking to buy, sell or simply maintain a stucco home in eastern PA, stucco testing is a common practice which can reveal whether moisture damage is likely present underneath the siding. If you’re looking for insight into how to understand the results of this type of evaluation, our exterior professionals are here to provide an introduction.
How Do I Interpret My Stucco Testing Results?
Maybe you’ve noticed water intruding into your home around windows or doors, giving you rightful suspicion that something isn’t right with your stucco system. Perhaps you don’t see any signs of moisture damage, but you have been asked to obtain stucco testing for a prospective buyer of your home.
In either case, here are a few helpful things to keep in mind when reviewing the results:
- It’s entirely possible that moisture readings could be lower in certain spots and higher in others. Generally speaking, though, if they are heightened in one place, then it is indicative of problems at play throughout the system.
- In terms of the numbers themselves, a moisture reading of 8-15% in an exterior wall is said to be standard and “normal”; 16-19% suggests the early stages of a problem which should be addressed before damage results; 20-24% indicates presence of excessive moisture and probable damage; and 25% or higher points to more severe damage including rot and mold.
While these figures can provide a glimpse at what might be going on behind stucco, it’s impossible to know the full story without removing some of the wall to find supporting evidence and fully assess the condition of the underlying system. This process is known as discovery and can be done by our contractors.
Seeking Clarity About Your Stucco Situation? Look to Us
At Ai Restoration, diagnosing and solving stucco issues is our area of expertise. If you have concerns or questions after speaking with your stucco inspector — or if they’ve recommended pursuing remediation and you would like to learn more about it — we encourage you to get in touch.
Call us at 215-794-6858 to schedule an on-site visit and explanation of how we resolve stucco deficiencies the right way.
