SAHBA Home Hints
December 30, 2007
Getting Out of a Stucco Situation
Whether you're remodeling, repairing, or replacing your stucco, it doesn't have to be a hassle. When doing any of these projects, it's imperative to be able to make a seamless stucco patch between the new stucco and the old.
“Stucco is a cement-like, based plaster that is used as an exterior wall coating,” said Les Wolf, Owner of LG Wolf Company. “It contains small, sand-like granules that vary in size to give individuals their desired wall texture.”
There are a couple of different reasons you may need to stucco patches. They can be used to mend cracks often caused by temperature changes, or expansion and extraction of the home over time. It also can be used when installing new windows or doors to seamlessly patch the area between the new installment and the old stucco.
“When beginning this process, it is important to remove all the damaged materials down to the substrate before trying to repair them,” said Wolf. “Once the products have been removed, you then apply new wire to overlap the existing to reinforce the old work.”
When applying new wire, metal lath or diamond lath is recommended. This is a form of expanded metal with diamond shaped holes. With the new wire applied on the old, a web of reinforcement is created to help ensure a patch that won't crack.
“If you have a foam substrate in your walls, you will follow a slightly different patching procedure,” said Wolf, a SAHBA member. “You will instead take the lath and take it through the foam, connecting it to the wood behind it for a firmer attachment.”
You can buy a premixed stucco product ranging from one pound to 25-pound bags.
“I recommend mixing this in a five gallon bucket to start,” said Wolf. “This will enable you to make it as you need it, and to not waste any products.”
The tools needed to do this project include nails or screws, a mixing bucket, and trowels or knives depending on the size of the project.
Details: Wolf at 629-9401.
SAHBA represents about 750 member businesses and 40,000 jobs serving the residential construction industry in Pima and Cochise counties.
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