3-Coat Stucco Restoration Process
While many DIYers have considered trying to take on the stucco repair themselves to save money, it virtually never works out in the homeowner’s favor. Being rather unfamiliar with the behaviors of stucco, the homeowner is typically dismayed to see that after their hard work, not only have they not fixed the problem, but they possibly caused even more damage in the process. That is not what we want for our customers.
We adhere to a straightforward but meticulous step-by-step stucco inspection, removal and replacement process to ensure that the job is done correctly the first time and your home will be protected from the elements for many years to come. The process we follow is outlined below:
Step 1.
INSPECT DAMAGED STUCCO
An engineer will inspect the entire wall to identify the extent of the existing damage and the potential for future damage.
Step 2.
REMOVE DAMAGED STUCCO
Once the damage has been identified and a repair plan decided upon, we will carefully remove all the stucco from the wall, followed by removal of the lathe and paper until the wood sheathing is exposed. Then, we will make sure to remove all nails, staples and stucco remnants from the sheathing to create a clean surface to work on.
Step 3.
INSTALL WATER RESISTIVE BARRIER
The first component we install is the WRB, a thin membrane made of paper and tar-like resin meant to provide waterproofing and drainage. We attach the WRB directly to the sheathing using a staple gun.
Step 4.
ATTACH LATHE
The lathe, a strong metallic netting resembling chicken wire, is attached over the WRB and secured using a staple gun. The lathe will provide something for the wet stucco to cling to and once dried, the stucco will be supported by the lathe.
Step 5.
Apply Scratch Coat
Once the WRB and lathe are tightly and securely attached to the sheathing, we begin applying the wet stucco. We trowel on the base layer and use a tool to scratch it up before it cures. This helps to form a stronger hold between layers of stucco.
Step 6.
Apply the Brown Coat
The second coat of stucco, called the brown coat, is the thickest layer as well as the strongest. Once cured, the brown coat will provide the strength and rigidity that makes stucco a popular choice. It’s crucial that we get this layer laid down evenly in preparation for the finishing steps.
Step 7.
Apply the Finish (Final) Coat
The finish coat is the outermost layer of stucco. Since it determines the overall aesthetic of your house, the finish coat can be applied using different methods to achieve the desired texture.
Step 8.
Seal the Stucco
A sealant layer is crucial to protect the stucco from water intrusion and a high-quality stucco wall will always be sealed. The wall is sprayed with a penetrating silane-based water repellent that dries down to a clear finish and keeps the stucco virtually impenetrable by moisture for the foreseeable future. To finish the seams around the doors, windows and other penetrations, we use an elastomeric caulk to carefully seal every possible point of water intrusion.
Step 9.
Paint
As a final step in the stucco installation process, all finished stucco is coated in a high-quality paint designed for stucco. These coatings can be elastomeric, acrylic or masonry paint and they typically are available in any color you choose.
Step 10.
Inspection
After the stucco work is complete, it will be carefully inspected by a certified inspector to ensure that the work not only meets our high standards but also fully complies with local building codes and national ASTM standards. Lastly, we’ll allow the homeowner to provide feedback to ensure that the job was done to their complete satisfaction.
Our job isn’t finished until you’re happy with the outcome. Every job we take follows the same checklist of action items to ensure that we’re providing consistently exceptional workmanship and service.
Need stucco work? Schedule a consultation today!
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