How Do I Maintain Exterior Stucco?

One of the biggest benefits of stucco is that it is relatively low maintenance. However, low maintenance does not mean no maintenance—it will require a little bit of ongoing care if you are going to keep it in top condition for years to come.

The good news is that maintenance is minimal, so long as the installation was done correctly and the process went smoothly. Here’s a quick overview of the basics of stucco care in Bluffton, SC and what you should know about the process.

Cleaning

The simplest and most common form of stucco maintenance is simply washing the stucco walls. This should be done two or three times a year. Not only will it keep the stucco looking good, but it will also prevent dirt and debris from compromising the stucco quality.

The simplest method of cleaning your stucco is to use a garden hose to spray down the exterior. This will only remove a little bit of the debris that gets collected on your stucco walls, but it’s a good idea for smooth to semi-smooth textures. You can couple this with a medium-bristle brush to help loosen up some of the dirt for you to spray off.

You can also use a pressure washer, which will be faster and much less work than using a garden hose and brush. You’ll just need to be careful that you don’t use too much pressure, and that you keep the nozzle at the proper distance and angle to avoid damaging the stucco.

There are a variety of cleaning agents you can use on stucco, and simple options are usually the best. You can mix plain dish soap and warm water and get pretty solid results. A bleach and water solution can be beneficial when you have mold or mildew stains on your stucco, but when using bleach, you must take care to protect nearby plants, trees, grass or anything else that could be damaged by the chemical. You’ll typically want to use one part bleach for every 10 to 20 parts water. There are also special stucco cleaning products you can find from stucco manufacturers.

Repairs

The other part of stucco maintenance you’ll want to keep up with is making repairs to the stucco when you notice cracks. Cracking is unavoidable with stucco—it’s just part of the material. Smaller cracks can be fixed with some caulk. Apply the caulk at locations where the stucco meets wood or another material. Reapply caulking whenever necessary—usually after several years. We generally recommend using acrylic caulk, because it will blend in the best so long as you’ve used it properly, but there are also polyurethane and silicone caulks that can work well and last for a long time.

These are the two main types of stucco maintenance in Bluffton, SC you are likely to need to perform on your exterior walls. For more information about necessary maintenance for stucco walls and the best methods of accomplishing it, get in touch with the team at Spring Construction today.

Categorised in: Stucco Maintenance