Stucco homes are commonplace in certain areas, especially in warm, dry climates. There are many benefits of stucco exteriors for homes. Stucco is naturally well insulated, fire resistant, low maintenance, affordable, and customizable just to name a few. However, even with all these benefits there are a few problems that can arise with stucco exteriors that you should be aware of before making a decision to build or buy a stucco home. Consider these 5 common stucco home problems. 

  1. Complex installation. Stucco is one type of exterior you may not want to try and install on your own. This is because the installation is rather complex. For stucco that looks professional and will last without showing the signs of wear and tear, it needs to be installed by experienced contractors. Stucco requires multiple layers of installation and each one needs to be correctly placed to ensure the next layer looks right and is fully waterproof. If any one layer allows moisture to leak through, the entire exterior could be compromised. 
  2. Painting requires professionals. Another aspect of stucco exterior that requires a professional touch is painting. To paint stucco with a successful outcome, certain preparation is required. Stucco requires sandblasting of the exterior walls before a new coat of paint can be applied. It must be treated before painting as well to ensure that the paint adheres properly to the stucco without peeling or cracking. When it comes to painting stucco, it’s best to hire professional painters who have the experience and equipment necessary to provide quality results. 
  3. Moisture can damage stucco. The biggest threat to stucco is excess moisture, which is why this type of exterior is most often found in warm, dry climates. Even after it is treated with weatherproof layers, moisture can cause cracking of the stucco as well as uneven discoloration. As the moisture seeps into the layers of stucco it can lead to mold growth. One particularly rainy season could do irreparable damage to stucco. 
  4. Landscaping limitations. The risks associated with too much moisture with stucco can affect the type of landscaping that can be done around the home. It is necessary to avoid planting any bushes, trees, or flowering plants near the foundation of your stucco home. Plants and trees need to be trimmed back so that branches don’t touch the exterior walls. It is also important that the landscaping encourages rainwater to run off and away from your home’s foundation. 
  5. Stucco is prone to cracking. In general, the biggest problem with stucco is cracking. As stated above, moisture is typically the culprit that causes stucco to crack. Cracks can be repaired with caulk in most cases, but that will leave white lines all over the exterior that will then need to be painted in order to blend in. As stated above, painting stucco is not an easy process, so you can see how high maintenance this type of exterior can quickly become. 

Professional Finishing for Stucco 

If you have a stucco exterior that needs to be repaired and/or painted, it is best to hire a professional painting contractor. Most painters will repair cracks in the stucco as part of the preparation process for painting. Sealing cracks and prepping the surface is important before painting if you don’t want to have to repeat the process in a few years. When you hire professionals, you’ll get professional looking results. 

Beautify Your Stucco With Help From Trico Painting

Stucco can provide a beautiful exterior when it is handled properly. The professionals at Trico Painting have the expertise to prep and paint stucco exteriors for quality results that last. If your stucco exterior is in need of a fresh look, Trico Painting can make it look like new. 

Trico Painting provides both interior and exterior residential painting services for a variety of facades in Roseville, California. Call (916) 550-9648 or contact us today to learn more and schedule your free estimate.