To enhance the beauty, curb appeal and value of your home, stucco is a durable, low-maintenance option. It’s important for a homeowner to understand how and why stucco fails since there are a number of environmental and craftsmanship-related factors that can lead to stucco failure. Today, we at Stucco Siding Inspection Solutions would like to share the common causes of stucco failure.
Things Can Go Wrong with Poor Windowsill or Door Installation
Problems can be created if a door or window is incorrectly or poorly installed since water will not run off the property effectively. Water can get trapped and can lead to mold and structural deterioration if a stucco installer hasn’t correctly installed water-resistant paper underneath the window in the case of windows. You can expect cracking and eventual decay when there’s not an effective barrier between your stucco work and moisture. The number one reason why stucco and stonework fail can come from improper window installation.
Issues with Roof Flashing
You can expect to see cracking and deterioration in your stone and stucco work if kick out flashing diverters, which is one-piece molded plastic or metal pieces designed to properly direct water flow, are missing or improperly installed. Between vertical walls and roof ends, near fascia boards where gutters are eventually placed, a stucco contractor must carefully install flashers. If adequate flashing has not been installed to protect a home’s chimney from rain and weather damage, an experienced stucco contractor can inspect for problems and notify a roofing contractor as well. To make sure it is protected by a roof feature, it is the stucco contractor’s job to install flashers in the exterior corners of a chimney’s shoulders or hips, and to install a kick out flashing diverter at the lowest interior corner of this structure.
It is Important to Seal Vents, Outlets & Other Moisture Entry Points
Stucco failure and other structural problems develop when improperly installed dryer vents, window frames, light fixtures, piping, and electric outlets provide an opportunity for moisture to penetrate. These openings should seal from the inside out and have proper water management systems surrounding them.
Deck Not Properly Installed
Especially in the case of taller decks, an experienced deck contractor should use water management systems like barrier membranes, rain screens, and ledger board drip cap flashing to prevent damage to the rim joist and anything that is below, including stucco. If you’re thinking of installing a deck, an expert stucco inspector can identify any problems that exist or provide advice for protecting your stucco.
Problems with Material Transition
If all joints between these dissimilar materials have not been properly sealed for expansion and contraction which can cause and exacerbate both cracking and water penetration, transitions between stucco and other construction materials like stone, concrete, siding, and brick can be problem areas. Proper flashing of these joints to provide adequate water drainage can prevent major damage to stucco as with windows, doors, and chimneys.
Stucco Inspection, Repair & Replacement Contractors in South Fulton, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Marietta, Stonecrest, Smyrna, Dunwoody, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Canton, Cumming & Greater Atlanta, GA
When you see your stucco is showing signs of damage, call Stucco Siding Inspection Solutions and let our experts assist you.
