Stucco Wall Repair | Replacement

Stucco is a marvelous finish to any structure. Stucco gives a building a clean and sharp finish. If stucco is damaged or needs to be replaced because it was installed badly you have to first remove the existing stucco. All the existing stucco needs to be removed. If the original screen is not damaged and is secure you may leave the screen and begin to apply the new stucco. If the screen is lose or damaged it should be replaced. The screen needs to be secure and intact as stucco is heavy and if the screen is not secure the stucco will pull the screen away from the wall causing the new stucco to crack or fall off the wall. This is where the help of a professional contractor familiar with stucco is a definite plus.

Applying Stucco

Applying stucco is a construction problem and an artistic challenge. First you apply the undercoat, sometimes called the brown coat, and let that dry. Next you apply the actual finish coat. The finish coat can be applied as a smooth finish or with a pattern. Color can be added to the final coat. The actual application of the final coat requires a skilled professional. Skill and experience are required to achieve the right consistency to the stucco material and a consistent pattern throughout the application.

Repairing Stucco

Repairing a stucco wall is a different problem. First of all, all loose and damaged material must be removed until only solidly attached stucco remains.
If the underlying screen is damaged or lose it must be replaced or securely reattached. The next step is to replace the undercoat in all areas that are to be refinished. The undercoat has to be the same thickness as the original undercoat so that you do not end up with a bump in the final finish between the replacement stucco and the original stucco finish.

Finishing Stucco

If the original finish is smooth the new stucco must be applied in the same direction as the original stucco, if the original stucco has a pattern the new stucco must be applied with the same tools and in the same manner to match the original pattern. A professional contractor needs to apply the repair stucco to avoid having the repair or patch look like a repair or patch. If done correctly the repair will blend in and not be noticeable after the stucco is repainted or stained.
Painting or staining stucco requires a paint or stain specifically developed for sealing stucco. Your professional contractor will know which paint or stain to use and how to apply it correctly.
In all stucco applications it is important to keep in mind that finishing stucco is an art, actually an ancient art.
Applying stucco is not just the trowling on of a cement finish. Stucco is one of the few finishes that has depth to it and it is stucco’s depth that gives stucco a resonance that is distinctive over most other finishes.

Hiring a Professional Contractor

When hiring a professional stucco contractor ask for references and to see other work he or she has done. A professional will have no problem with you asking for references and will be proud to show you examples of their finished projects.