Stucco is known for its durability, but it doesn’t mean it’s completely maintenance-free. With time, it can develop cracks and even holes. And they should never be ignored – yes, even thin hairline cracks. You know you need to repair stucco cracks and paint your Dublin home immediately.
Repairing cracks on stucco can be a bit tricky. Stucco patches will stick out like a sore thumb, so the only way to make the patch look seamless and invisible to the rest of the surface is to paint it.
If you don’t want to bother mixing your stucco patch (unless there are larger holes present), you may buy a premixed stucco patch, which can fill even larger cracks. There are other commercially sold products for patching stucco. While some are designed to repair larger gouges and holes, others can specifically fix smaller and thinner cracks.
It’s best to repair these cracks quickly before they become bigger holes. Patch these cracks right away as soon as you see them by following the steps below (you will also want to wear work gloves and safety goggles).
1) The first step may appear counterintuitive: widen the crack to at least a quarter inch using a chisel and hammer. The edges of the crack should also be chiseled perpendicular to the surface. Then brush the area clean to remove any loose debris.
2) Mix just enough stucco repair compound to use within 20 minutes. If you mix it longer than that, it will dry out and render itself unusable. The best method to mix stucco is to pour it into a bucket and then use a drill and mixing paddle attachment to mix your stucco thoroughly. Fill your standard caulk gun with the stucco repair compound.
3) Use your standard caulk gun to apply the stucco repair compound along the crack. As you apply the compound, use a trowel to match the patch with the surrounding stucco finish. Let the patch cure for at least 24 hours. But the curing time also depends on the product. The patch may take seven to ten days to cure fully.
4) Cover the patch with an exterior masonry primer once the patch is cured. Allow the primer time to dry according to label instructions.
5) Once the primer dries, begin painting. Use latex paint, preferably the same color as the rest of the surface. Let the first coat dry, and apply a second coat to achieve a more uniform color.
The finished job is now cured completely, but it still feels flexible to the touch. Don’t worry – it doesn’t matter about your caulking skills. Instead, the elasticity indicates the strength of the repair. Should the wall move slightly again, the patch will go along rather than give in. With the stucco crack now correctly covered up and painted, rest assured that any moisture will not intrude behind the stucco.
There may come a time when you need to repair stucco cracks and paint your Dublin home. Better yet, hire a qualified professional for the job and save yourself from the hassles of patching and painting.
