Repairs

Stucco Repairs

Our Stucco Repair Process:

Step #1

Even though you cannot see it, this wall has significant stucco repair. This can lead to a false sense of security that allows stucco issues to go undetected. With our professional stucco inspection report, you will gain a much better understanding of your home. Our inspections use specialized equipment and a high degree of expertise. Once the stucco inspection is done, we will analyze your report and explain it to you. This allows you to understand exactly what is going on with your stucco. We will then give you a detailed plan to remedy the issues discovered. We’ll walk you through the process so you understand exactly what the stucco inspection means and what the stucco repair plan will look like. When you begin to understand how your stucco works, you gain peace of mind knowing your stucco is performing correctly. Your home energy savings are tremendous with stucco (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) stucco.

Step #2

With this plan, we are ready to begin your repairs. This photo shows damage created by a lack of “Kick-out” flashing at the gutter. This is a typical area our inspections find damage. With stuccostucco there are two attachment methods used. The first is the adhesive method where the Styrofoam is glued to the wall. This method is similar way to laying ceramic tile. The second method employes the use of mechanical fasteners (washers with screws) which hold each 2’x4′ sheet of foam to the wall. Once we have removed the old stucco, we can access the rotten wood. (At this point in the process, it feels much like surgery – it is going to look worse before it gets better – but you can have confidence that your home is in very good hands.) By the time we get through, your home will perform correctly and look like new! We make this happen by restoring all damaged structural components and upgrading the stucco system.

Step #3

The next step after all the damaged wood has been removed is to do the repairs. We tackle this from the stand point of restoring the original integrity of your home. We put a lot of time into making sure these repairs are done to meet and exceed building code. This is where you really gain from our expertise. Our many years in the industry have given us give us the wealth of knowledge needed to tackle the toughest problems. We replace all framing members that are damaged.  This may include headers, studs and any floor joists that are affected. We do this to ensure the damaged area is even stronger than the original framing. Our goal is make your home sound and secure. Once all the framing is repaired, the sheathing (plywood) is ready to be installed. The sheathing ties the framing together making everything strong. It also provides the surface to which the new stuccostucco will be attached. At this point, we also take care of any repairs needed to the inside sheet-rock. This way, you don’t have to worry about calling several different contractors to finish up your house. This is another great benefit to choosing us, as we are a full service turn-key operation.

Step #4

After your wood has been repaired, we install the new stuccostucco. This is a three layer process. The first layer is made of Styrofoam. This gives stucco its great diversity in shape and design. With different thickness, we can recreate all original trim work. (We can even add decorative stucco bands to plain brick houses, which can really set a brick house apart from the rest!) With the Styrofoam in place, the base-coat is ready to go on. This next step consists of a two parts: the first part is a reinforced fiberglass mesh which is embedded into the second part, a cement base-coat. The principles behind this system works much like concrete and re-bar. One is strong with compression forces, and the other is strong in tension forces. When they are combined they form a very tough surface. The cement base-coat is made with 100% acrylic polymers. These acrylic polymers are what seal the stucco system. At this point, the strength of the wall can be enhanced with a heavy-duty reinforced fiberglass mesh. The purpose for this enhancement could be for a number of reasons, such as areas where high traffic may be expected through a restaurant entrance, or the wall facing a tee-off box in a golf course community.

Step #5

The final step is the application of the finish-coat. This is what makes everything pretty again. The finish-coat is applied in a two stage process. In the first stage, the finish-coat material is applied over the base-coated wall then in the second stage the stucco is floated out. It is during this process that stucco gets it’s different textured appearances (see options above). Floating the finish-coat is also the means by which the stucco wall is leveled. The pigments for the different colors of stucco come premixed from our Dryvit distributor. They match your color for us, so the repaired areas will blend in with rest of your house. We only use Dryvit materials on our projects because of their high quality. Dryvit is the original stucco manufacturer in the United States beginning in 1969. These high quality Dryvit materials will ensure your project will last a lifetime!

Stucco Finishing Options