View ChannelsFeatured: Finance
View ShowroomsFeatured: Radiantec - Radiant Solar Heating

BobVila.com

Home

How to Repair Chipped or Cracked Stucco

Repairing chipped or cracked stucco is an easy project, but you'll need to set aside a few days to complete it.

DIFFICULTY RATING:

Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.

View text version of this Step-by-Step

Download for iPod

What materials were used in this video?

Bucket Chisel, masonry Float Hammer Mortar Scraper Spray bottle Trowel Vacuum Wire brush

Clip Transcript For:

How to Repair Chipped or Cracked Stucco

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" Stucco is a kind of mortar that is applied to brick or block walls provide a finished look. Overtime Stucco can separate from the wall. Here's how to make a quick repair. Using a masonry chisel and hammer break away the loose Stucco. After you've chipped away all the larger pieces work around the edges with a stiff paint scraper to loosen any remaining stock. Try to leave any firmly attached sharp rough edges as they form an important mechanical bond between the solid existing Stucco. And the patch to be apply. Wire brush the area until there's a solid clean surface ready for Rico. Finally vacuum the area to remove all the loose Stucco dust. Following the instructions on the -- mix enough mortar with water and container to fill the area to be repaired. When you're done mixing the mortar should be the consistency of peanut butter. Using a spray bottle or hose dent in the area to be patched. This will keep the new Stucco from drying out too quickly and cracking while it tries. You're going to apply to layers of Stucco and making the repair. The first later called a scratch coat should be about three eight's of an inch thick. Using a trial work the mortar up into the edges of the area to be patched. Let the Stucco set until it begins to become firm and then using the trial. Scratch a cross hatch pattern of lines into the surface to form a mechanical bond for the final layer. Allow this area to set for 24 to 48 hours or until the Stucco is completely dry. Using a spray bottle or hose. -- scratch layer to prevent the final layer of Stucco from drying too quickly. Now using the float dampened with water look the -- was stuck going white non. Then depending on the pattern pull or swirl the surface of the Stucco until you match the pattern on the wall. Allow this slayer to dry for 24 to 48 hours. Once the areas drive it can be painted to match the surrounding area. The paint will not only hide the patch but it will further protect the Stucco from whether."

[-]

More Videos »Related Videos

Stucco Walls

Bob meets with John Clancy who is applying "California" stucco inside the greenhouse. A tint is applied to the mix to match the interior and a latex bonding material helps keep the stucco adhear to the walls.

Selecting Paint and Painting the Exterior Stucco Walls

Bob meets with Pat Estevez to discuss exterior paint selection and application techniques. Several paint colors are being used to accent the kitchen addition. Acrylic paint is used to stand up to the harsh sun and resist mildew.

Painting a Stucco and Wood Exterior

Bob reviews some of the work done on the house so far. The house was built in 1921 and the exterior stucco walls are in good shape overall. The woodwork, however, was in bad shape as it is 80 year-old wood combined with New England winters. Most of the wood trim was repaired using western red cedar. The gutters on the gambrel roof were also replaced. The porch columns were repaired after suffering insect damage. These stone columns were filled with concrete by mason Kevin Latham. Some new stucco was added where the back door was removed and replaced with a new slider and small window. To add this stucco wall, wire lath is placed over felt paper and plywood. Then a brown coat is added and allowed to cure before the finish coat goes on. Fergus Cullen of CertaPro Painters reviews the issues involved with painting the house. Different parts of the home's exterior are older than others. The old stucco is in good shape, while the new stucco needs to be primed and painted using a couple of coats. The window uses a couple of different materials. The frame has been replaced with Azek, which does not need to be painted but will be painted to match the rest of the trim. The Azek is especially effective in areas where there is a lot of moisture and rot may be a problem. The natural wood surrounding the window will also be primed and painted to match everything else. In some areas the old paint is peeling off in sheets and "alligatoring" or creating check marks in the paint. The old paint used in these sections is likely lead paint and does not have the flexibility New England winter and summer temperature fluctuations. All the areas with chipping and peeling paint will be scraped down, the edges sanded, and then primed. When complete, the texture will be retained but there will be no chipping or peeling involved. Some shingles on the lip of the roof have sustained significant water damage. The damaged shingles are replaced and painted with a solid color stain. This stain looks like paint but penetrates into the wood. There will be a little difference in texture between the old shingles and the new, which comes with having an older home. The most important thing to remember when painting at the end of the season is overnight temperatures. Painting is possible as long as the overnight temperatures are above 35 degrees Fahrenheit. The paint must be given time to cure at the proper temperatures. Painting is also not possible during times of high humidity, which is a problem that plagues hot, humid climates in the South.

Applying Stucco

Bob meets with the stucco contractor, Angelo Dattini, on the remodeling project in Coral Gables, Fla., a suburb of Miami. They attach diamond-mesh lath using self-tapping screws to metal strips in the 3-10 insulated forms. They then apply the scratch coat, using Rinker stucco.