Common Reasons for Stucco/Plaster Repair
Stucco/plaster repair may not be a pleasant thought. No one wants to be concerned with repairs if they don’t have to. After all, since stucco consists part of cement, its durability is legendary. Similarly, plaster is highly strong and durable. It’s easy to assume if the stucco or plaster application was done correctly and with the proper materials, it will withstand the elements and be almost unbreakable.
But depending on the age of the home and how the original stucco/plaster was installed, you may find a repair is needed. Damage can occur, whether on older installations or poorly installed newer ones.
- Normal Wear and Tear
Stucco gets made with a combination of cement, water, and sand, which means it should have a long life. Stucco is not something that needs to be replaced like a roof. But if your home or building structure has been around for several decades, there can certainly be normal wear and tear and to keep things looking great, a repair or two may be necessary. Similarly, plaster is made with a combination of lime or gypsum, sand, and water that hardens on drying.
The average life span of new stucco today averages between 50 to 80 years. According to the Gypsum Association, “Assuming normal conditions, gypsum panels and gypsum plaster have an expected service life well in excess of 50 years.” If your home or building is around that age, you may find your stucco/plaster could use a facelift.
- Weather Conditions
Weather plays a significant role in the normal maintenance of a home or building. Given enough exposure to the elements including our hot sun in southern California, any exterior part of a home/building can break down over time. Fortunately, stucco/plaster is particularly durable and a popular choice for exteriors as they are able to withstand prolonged exposure to rain, wind, sun, heat, and other forces of nature.
- Wildlife
Animal encroachment and infestation can occur in every home, even in urban settings. While more rural homes may experience wildlife damage from larger game animals like deer and bears, smaller animals like rats and raccoons can tear up stucco or plaster while searching for food and shelter. You may even find insects can do their share of damage.
- Poor Quality Stucco
Because stucco/plaster works as a composite of many materials, it’s vital for the mixture to be blended together correctly. And the ingredients need to be of good quality. Stucco/plaster works like baking; if the ingredients are the wrong measurements, of poor quality, and are not mixed well, that cake is going to fail.
- Bad Installation
While it’s nice to believe your home or building was created by competent and knowledgeable professionals, it’s possible that the installation was slapped together quickly and without expertise or care. Unfortunately, poor stucco/plaster installation can result in water damage and other problems that need repair.
- Interior Problems
Poor workmanship, water leaks, pest infestations, and even poor wiring could actively be working against your interior walls. Watch out for things like cracks, bulges, peeling, flaking, and discoloration.
Contact Us Today
Though stucco/plaster is durable, it is not impervious to time, weather, and critters. We even find customers who come to us to repair a crack or replace a chunk of missing stucco damaged from a wayward object. Some clients find the repair is needed because of poor initial installation. If the damage is extensive, you may need a renovation.
Sunny Coast Stucco provides Residential & Commercial Stucco Installation, Stucco Repair, Stucco Renovation, Exterior & Interior Plastering, New Construction, Construction Defect Repair, and Homeowner Associations Services, and more, to the residents and businesses of El Cajon, La Jolla, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, North Park, San Diego, Santee, and surrounding San Diego neighborhoods.
