One common incident with stucco in homes of certain designs is the appearance of stair step cracks in the stucco. Maybe you’ve noticed cracks or lines in your stucco going up, then across, then up again, and then across again, like a set of stairs. It’s helpful to know what causes these sorts of cracks in order to address them appropriately. After all, how do you know if this has a simple solution or a costly one? Today we’ll tell you what causes cracks like stair step cracks in your stucco.
Stair Step Cracks in Stucco in One Area
You might notice cracks centralized in one area of your home’s stucco. In that case, this often happens thanks to underlying water damages, and other sources. Thus, you can’t really tell if it requires a quick fix or something like remediation just by looking at the surface. Your best bet is to reach out to a professional to take a look.
Stair Step Cracks in Stucco Throughout
On the other hand, if you notice these cracks spread throughout the surface of your home, the cause is much more likely to be fundamental. Widespread cracks often indicate poor or improper installation. At best, they indicate that your stucco was installed in poor weather. Regardless, if you see cracks at dissimilar surfaces – such as windows – these may be due to missing joint work or stop bead. Additionally, some structures may naturally experience movement in certain areas that exceed the strength and flexibility of normal, untreated stucco. If these cracks exist because of improper installation, you’ll need remediation.
Other Causes
A few other, albeit less frequent, causes are possible. For example, nowadays many tract home builders like to tear through new construction as fast as possible. As a result, the home’s foundation doesn’t have a chance to fully settle. This can lead to stair step cracks. If this is the case, you’ll notice these cracks particularly on western exposure walls, due to more constant and consistent sun exposure.
Contact Ai Restoration to Fix Stair Step Cracks in Your Stucco!
Finally, if your home has stair step cracks in the stucco, then contact the professionals at Ai Restoration! If you suspect your stucco needs remediation, the experienced team at Ai Restoration can help. Reach out to speak with one of our team members and to schedule a free consultation appointment.
