We love the classic look and feel of stucco, but more so than most home exterior materials, stucco can be a tricky keeper. Although stucco as material might not be as prone to major issues in certain states, it can sometimes feel difficult to take care of in Utah. We always recommend contacting the team at Burbach if you notice problems arise in your stucco siding. But to get stucco repaired you first have to know what issues to be looking for. Here are a few helpful tips to inspect your home’s exterior to catch small stucco problems before they become major.
Visual Inspect the Stucco for Cracks & Mold
Take a quick walk around the outside of your home to look for signs of stucco disrepair. Although cracks in stucco are the easiest thing to visually spot, make sure you pay close attention to any discoloration or signs of mold. Many of these signs come with general weathering and age, but if your stucco exterior is fairly new, this can also be a sign of improper installation. Depending on the climate of your state, cracking and discoloration could be a sign of expansion or shrinkage of the stucco material.
Be on the lookout for hairline cracks, spider cracks, and cracks on any foam trim. Hairline cracks may be a sign of intense stress on the exterior of your home, whereas a spider crack more often occurs due to a stucco mixture that was improperly mixed or a base coat that wasn’t properly cured. If you see signs of mold, it could be a sure sign that moisture has been trapped behind the surface of your stucco. If cracks, discoloration, or mold is visible, contact an experienced company to come and fix cracks with proper compounding or to help you find ways to eradicate mold.
Touch and Smell the Stucco Exterior
Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with the stucco around your home. This includes paying close attention to the smell and feel of stucco areas. Walk around your home and make sure that everything smells “normal”. Of course, it may be difficult to discern what you should be smelling, but just as it’s simple to tell the difference between a clean room and a moldy one, it’s easy to smell mold around your home’s exterior. If you catch a scent that seems off make sure to check the area closer and touch the surface. If there’s moisture in the area on a rather dry day, this is likely due to a moisture issue and should be taken care of immediately.
Burbach Stucco Inspection
Of course, every homeowner should learn how to do a general inspection of their home’s exterior, but knowing how seriously to take cracks and stains can be overwhelming. If you’re worried about missing areas that need maintenance or major repairs, don’t hesitate to call your local Burbach team. We can help you perform your stucco inspection, repair trouble spots when needed, and explain to you what to look out for in the future.
