Why Patching or Painting Your Stucco Can Be Dangerous

Stucco is applied to indoor and outdoor surfaces of buildings. When used and installed correctly, stucco can improve the aesthetic appeal of a property drastically.
 
Like every other construction material, stucco can deteriorate over time. Many stucco contractors in Calgary apply caulking along stucco or paint over it to repair stucco cracks , hoping that it would do the trick and hide imperfections.
 
This could prove to be a costly mistake. When you patch or paint your stucco you might be covering major water damage, not a minor cosmetic flaw.
 
Unaddressed water damage can compromise the structural integrity of your home. This is a serious concern. A part of your home could collapse and someone could get injured.
 
If there are cracks in your stucco, do not take any chances. Hire an experienced contractor for stucco repair in Calgary. The professional will first inspect your stucco to assess the nature and extent of damage. Once they determine the scope of work and develop an action plan, your contractor will get to work.
Why do Cracks Form in Stucco?Even the best construction materials are not impervious to age-related deterioration. Stucco is no exception. Fluctuating temperatures can cause  moisture trapped in stucco to expand and contract resulting in cracks.
 
Water can get inside these cracks, widening them. Cracks and fissures in stucco create entry points for moisture that can get straight into the walls of your home. In addition to causing unsightly damp patches, moisture creates the perfect environment for mold growth.
 
 Cracks in stucco can indicate serious underlying issues that should be addressed before repairs could be made. Painting or patching stucco will hide these issues, instead of addressing them.
 
Painting and Patching Stucco may not  Make Your Woes DisappearThere are different types of stucco. Before reaching for caulk or paint to fix hairline cracks in your stucco, check if it is ideal for your weather. If you have the wrong stucco for your weather, no amount of painting will address the problem or prevent future cracks.
 
In such cases, it makes sense to replace the affected part of the stucco with the same or similar material. Painting a water damaged stucco is a waste of time. Your paint job won’t last long and the paint may peel and crack after a few weeks or months.
 
What’s worse, painting a cracked stucco can actually compound the problem by locking up any moisture inside the walls.  This allows moisture to seep into the wood frame and other porous material damaging them.
 
This can open a Pandora’s box. Mold can gain a foothold in your home or worse, moisture can pose a threat to the structural integrity of your home.
 
Whether you want to install a new stucco or repair an existing one, Do-All Stucco & Stone can help. We have years of experience transforming homes with awe-inspiring stuccos.  To learn more, call 403-588-5306. 

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