Does your home have a stucco exterior? According to the National Association of Home Builders, stucco was used on 28% of new single-family homes built in 2021. If you start noticing cracks in your home's stucco, it can be alarming. Stucco is prone to cracking due to its rigid nature. However, not all cracks require extensive repairs completed by stucco repair contractors. Here is some insight on why stucco cracks and when to call for repairs.

What Causes Cracking?

Small hairline cracks are common in stucco for a few reasons. As a brittle material, stucco does not flex easily, making it prone to shrinkage cracks as temperatures fluctuate. Settlement or loose substrates like plywood sheathing can also cause crack patterns. Additionally, elements like wind, rain, and landscaping sprinklers introduce regular moisture changes to the stucco surface over time.

How Can You Evaluate the Severity of The Cracks?

Not every crack in stucco needs immediate repair. The width and location of the crack provide clues about its severity. In our team's experience, very fine hairline cracks less than 2mm wide may be superficial and can simply be filled and painted. However, wide cracks, vertical cracks near corners of openings, and repeating crack patterns likely indicate more serious issues requiring stucco repair contractors. A stucco contractor can confirm whether the cracks in your stucco need repairs.

Can You Prevent Further Damage?

While stucco repair contractors can fix current cracks, preventing new ones comes down to maintaining proper drainage and landscaping practices. Good drainage makes stucco more crack-resistant. Regularly scheduling inspections from a stucco repair company can help you catch issues before they cause cracks or other damage.

When Should You Contact a Professional?

If you are unsure about the severity of stucco cracking on your home, it is always wise to have stucco repair contractors evaluate the damage. They determine if quick fixes are adequate or if more involved repairs like substrate repairs, re-stuccoing, structural additions, or sealants are needed to prevent continued cracking. Their expert diagnosis provides peace of mind.

Minor stucco cracks are common, but worsening cracking warrants the help of stucco repair contractors to identify and remedy underlying causes. Taking steps to properly care for your stucco can help minimize unnecessary cracks as well. If you're looking to have new siding installed on your home, or you need cracks that are present in your concrete siding repaired, we can help. Reach out to DW Moore Stucco today to get started.