What exactly is Stucco?
Stucco is a commonly used building material here in Arizona consisting of aggregates, a binder, and water. Stucco is damply added and stiffens to a very thick solid. It is used in architecture as a decorative covering for walls and floors, exterior building siding, and as a sculptural and artistic material. A lot of times stucco is used to mask other materials such as metal, concrete, cinder block, or clay brick and adobe that doesn’t have a finish that looks as nice as stucco does.
Why is stucco bad?
It may be considered bad by some people as stucco siding may crack as a building’s foundation starts settling due to its brittle nature. In areas where the soil has a lot of clay, it simply is not the best choice, as clay is notorious for swelling which then causes foundations to adjust which then may lead to cracked stucco. Given some time, even stucco houses with solid foundations can acquire hairline cracks which are generally nothing of major concern. However the benefits generally outweigh these negatives.
What is stucco made of?
Portland cement, sand, lime and water are typically what makes up traditional stucco siding – related to makes up concrete. This allows for the durability and low maintenance properties of stucco siding.
What are the benefits of stucco?
There are many benefits to having stucco walls for your home. Stucco is easy to maintain, resistant to decay, sound dampening, energy efficient, provides great fire protection, and adds great visual appeal to the exterior of your home. If you ever decide to sell your home, stucco will not only add more value to your home, but these benefits may allow you to get better home insurance premiums.
Do stucco homes get mold?
It can be quite common for mold to form when your stucco house is subjected to moisture for a long period of time. Regardless if the mold is showing on the surface or even concealed under the stucco siding, it is a major issue. It can do harm to the base of your house and even worse can have a detrimental effect on your health. Now you may be asking yourself it is dry here in Arizona why would I have to worry about moisture causing mold? Though it is true that stucco homes are more vulnerable to getting mold in wet climates, it can also be encountered by those in dryer climates like we deal with here in Mesa. The reason for that is moisture outside is not the only thing that allows mold to spread. Moisture underneath your stucco that gets trapped can cause it to spread as well. If the stucco installation was not done right, moisture can get behind the stucco which allows the growth of mold.
Can you put new stucco over old stucco?
On top of the existing layer you can add new stucco, but the right steps need to be implemented to protect the quality of the new coating. The current stucco siding needs to be inspected for structural stability (not having chunks that fall off for example). You will most likely have some cracks in the stucco as they are a common occurrence of any product built with concrete, and all stucco installations will eventually have cracks given time so they are nothing to worry about.
What is the difference between concrete and stucco?
Cement, water and sand are what makes up both stucco and concrete, but stucco has an additional ingredient which is lime. One big contrast between these two exterior types is that stucco has small pores that allow moisture to escape from behind it so that excess water does not build up and create rot. For the consistency of the completed material, how each substance is mixed and the proportions of each ingredient that are included are extremely significant factors to how it will turn out. It is not just about meticulous calculation of measurements; it is having experience as well that makes for a successful great looking finish. In addition, the season, temperature, climate, and material quality all contribute as well. In the basis of these considerations, quantities need to be modified, and the best way to do this correctly is to know from practice how the material will behave. Wrongful methods of blending or drying may cause cracking or leave you with a frail surface that can break down. Concrete is load carrying, and it can be life-threatening to produce an inappropriate blend. Stucco does not withstand much weight, but it can break and crumble due to inadequate mixing.
