Learn from LIME: Stucco 101

What is stucco?

Residential stucco is a popular finishing material for all kinds of properties. Stucco is a cement-based siding that adds a texture finish to a wall. The mixture is made from cement, sand, water, and lime. The best part is it can come in a variety of colors and textures!

Stucco vs concrete

Stucco and concrete are two of the oldest building materials still used today. However there's one key difference, LIME.

A stucco wall is decorative due to itself not having any strength or inability to hold weight. A stucco wall must be supported by a load bearing material.

Concrete is also made of cement and water like stucco but has a stone aggregate added for strength and takes several weeks for concrete to cure properly. Concrete has compressive strength however which makes it able to withstand heavy weights and forces unlike Stucco.

Difference in Application

Concrete is typically used for foundations, flooring, or basements. Stucco is almost always applied vertically to a wall due to its paste-like texture. Both have the ability to be used on curved surfaces and angles however concrete needs to be built into those forms that can support it to maximum strength while stucco needs no support, just thin layering.

How to know when you need your stucco redone

Stucco can need repair due to many defective possibilities. It could be from moisture intrusion, accidental damage, or wear & tear. Whatever the reason may be, LIME knows defective stucco doesn't look good.

With proper care, stucco can last for a long time and create a beautiful exterior on your home. However if it's damaged there are ways to identify if repair is needed.

1. Water Stains

• Typically water stains in Stucco are brownish or red. If you see either of these colors, it definitely needs repair. Water stains occur from the formation of water droplets that didn't find an escape route. If this is possible, make sure you can identify where the water is coming from.

2. Stucco Cracks

• When you start to see cracks in the finish is another sign your stucco needs repair. Cracks will eventually disintegrate the smooth finish and destroy the appearance of the exterior. Cracks can be caused by many things such as pets, insects, heavy equipment, or even high winds.

3. Rust Damage

• Any sign of rust isn't a good one. If you see rust stains on your stucco, then it probably needs repair. The rust can spread throughout the stucco and cause permanent damage if it already hasn’t done so. If the damage is bad enough you a LIME Professional might even suggest new stucco.

4. Poor Installation

• When the seam is not properly connected the stucco has a higher chance of cracking and falling. To avoid any issues with stucco installation hire LIME to come out and do a visual reality consultation.

Stucco is gaining high popularity. If you need an excellent finish to your house or need to repair stucco, contact LIME so we can identify the issue quickly or add a new texture to your home!