STUCCO ISSUES

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STUCCO ISSUES
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When properly installed, stucco is a tough,
durable and long lasting system that can not only
add a aesthetic value to your home, but when
properly maintained, can last for many years.
 But during the last couple of years especially,
I am seeing a wide range of issues when it comes
to stucco, resulting in thousands of dollars in
water and mold damage.
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 Short cuts taken by the applicator can cause
cracking, water infiltration, discoloration and
many more issues when not properly installed.
 When buying a home, having your stucco inspected
could save you thousands of dollars in issues and
possible years of litigation, and when hiring a
stucco contractor, doing your due diligence will
be time well spent.  Heres some of the issues
which causes stucco to fail
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Incorrect Installation or No Lath Some
contractors fasten metal lath to the wall with
pneumatic staples, but this can cause problems.
A staple has two prongs, so it creates twice as
many penetrations as a nail. Furring nails are
preferable they have a small cork washer that
helps space the lath away from the wall and also
seals around the nail..
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Checking that all furring nails are perpendicular
to the wall, and that the cork is compressed
against the sheathing, makes a significant
difference. Home with no lath will only last a
few years and crack easily causing home owners to
tear down the existing stucco and start over.
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House or Building Wrap This step is extremely
important and also misunderstood or completely
left out of many installations.  Grade D-60
Minute paper is a durable choice that could be
used as the first layer, since it is highly
recommended that all home be wrapped twice.
 Contractors tend to wrap home once, and then
cover the windows and cut an X to expose the
windows and then trim it out. 
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This process will nearly leak after each
application.  The flap of housewrap above the
window must be held up temporarily until the
window is installed and flashed, then pulled down
over the window flashing and taped into place.
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Flashing A common mistake around windows is that
self-adhering flashing tape has been applied over
the bottom nailing fin. Water that leaks in
around the window frame gets trapped behind the
flashing and causes the adhesive to fail.
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Instead of sealing water out, the failed membrane
actually channels water into the wall cavity.
 The use of manufactured flashing corners and
primers can help with failings in adhesion.
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Plumbing Electrical Penetrations When
contractors make holes in the facade to allow
piping and electrical lines into the house, they
commonly just use caulk or plugs to seal the
holes.  This leads to water infiltration mostly
through the foundation and into basements.
 Flashing panels can eliminate this issue.  The
cost for these materials is very low as compared
to the damage it can cause.
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Remember to always use your best judgement when
hiring any contractor and try to familiarize
yourself with any type of construction taking
place.  For more information, click here to view
our site  Biowashing.com
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Thank You