Improper Flashing Installation: flashing should be installed properly between vertical walls and the roof line to divert water flow. Stucco can fail if vents, electrical outlets, windows, transitional materials, and other points of entry are not properly sealed. Lack of maintenance to the outside of your home can cause stucco problems as well. Ignoring small crack repair, and lack of painting is a major cause for stucco damage. When cracking occurs on stucco and is not repaired properly, the cracks get larger. When this happens, water can get trapped behind the stucco and inside your walls. This causes the stucco to soften, buckle, and eventually fall off. The water can cause mold and mildew to wood and possibly cause water intrusion. Poor installation of stucco can also be a problem. A professional is needed to determine the underlying cause.

Stucco is made of cement, sand, and lime. Stucco is porous and prone to water retention. Since stucco retains moisture, it can lead to cracking and eventually problems like breakage, paint failure, wood rot, and mold. Water intrusion means you have water in your home. Water can run down your walls, ruin trim and baseboards, and get under carpet and tile. Water intrusion can also cause mold and mildew inside your home. To help prevent water intrusion, walk around the outside of your home on a yearly basis. Fill and repair cracks larger than 1/16th of an inch as they occur with a Textured Elastomeric Stucco Patch. Make sure the roof line, and windows are caulked properly. When stucco is adjacent to dissimilar materials such as soffits, siding, brick, stone, and hardy board, these joints should also be caulked and sealed properly.

How we prepare for interior painting
We take pictures of each room, so we can put it back the same way, including furniture, pictures, and accessories. We move furnishings away from the walls and cover them, as well. We protect floors, countertops, and anything else not being painted. Everything is painted with two coats.

How we prepare for exterior painting.

We power wash the home and repair any cracks with an Elastomeric Stucco Patch. Windows, walkways, and doors are properly covered, too. We do not spray and back roll. We cut-in and roll by hand and put two heavy coats of paint on the home.

With the Florida heat, your home should be painted every five to seven years. Always use two coats of paint. With a quality paint, which we use, (Sherwin Williams, Super Paint, or Duration), it could last eight to ten years. Paint’s main purpose is to protect stucco from cracking. When paint is neglected, there will be more cracking which can lead to buckle, delamination, and possible water intrusion. To maintain the integrity of the outside of your home, it is important to fix small cracks as they occur.