If you have ever tried to perform stucco repair yourself and have failed, you may not want to attempt it again. Even if you are feeling up to the task, your lack of experience may leave you at a disadvantage. You may even find yourself paying more than is necessary to repair the damaged area. To avoid wasting time and money on a job that can be done right the first time, it is important to find a professional stucco repair contractor who is able to do a quality job. Here are several tips to help you find one.
A professional stucco repair contractor is able to repair any area damaged by stucco using modern technology. Old methods such as sanding and staining often leave large gaps and small cracks in the stucco. Areas of heavy stucco buildup that have become damaged need to be repaired with a complete restoration process consisting of: removing the loose stucco, placing new construction paper and metal lath over the damaged area, and applying three coats of stucco repair mixture over the surface. This mixture will seal the gaps and allow you to finish the repair much faster.
Before repairing any area, you will need to determine whether or not it will need a primer before repairing it. Most areas will not require a pre-primer; however, it is always a good idea to apply for one before laying the first coat of cement. This will ensure that the cement adheres properly to the surface. After the area has been primed, you will be ready to apply the stucco mixture.
In most areas, repairing stucco can be completed within a matter of hours. Some homeowners believe that repairing stucco requires professional skills, but in reality, most repairs can be accomplished with little labor costs and time. Typically, repairing stucco takes approximately two days from start to finish. If you are doing the repair in a home with many windows, each window will take approximately two days from start to finish as well. Typically, repair stucco will require approximately fifty per hour of labor costs. This includes the time it takes to apply the cement mixture to the affected areas and the time it takes for the mixture to cure.
One of the major factors in the cost of stucco repairs is the amount of work that needs to be performed to reach each location. For example, repairing a window that needs a full window frame will be more expensive than repairing just a section of the frame. As a result, it is extremely important to thoroughly evaluate all small or large repairs prior to beginning any work. Many homeowners overlook small repairs such as repairing cracked areas, but these are often the ones that end up costing the most money. Cracked areas should be repaired quickly to avoid further damage.
There are several different styles of stucco finishes available to homeowners. Some of these include Full Abrasion, Satin Grit, Sheer Sandstone, Limestone, Seal coating, Polyurethane Coating, Weathered Brass, and Engineered Burnt Sienna. The best option for a homeowner is to choose a finish that matches the style and color of the exterior siding. However, there are some instances where the homeowner may want to choose a finish based upon the damage. For example, repairing a cracked patio door or repairing mildew on wood decking are good examples of instances in which the finish on the siding will not completely protect against damage.
Before applying the stucco mixture to the area to be repaired, it is important to prepare the area by cleaning it and removing all debris from the walls. The next step is to mix a high-quality resin mix with water and sand the area dry. Once the area is dry, it is time to apply the stucco onto the patch using a brush or roller. When applying the stucco to the patch, it is important to avoid any overlap by pushing the mix into the spaces between the patch.
After the stucco has been uniformly applied, it is important to allow it to cure. This is usually a few days and will depend upon the severity of the damage. If the repair job is minor, eifs can be mixed to fill in minor cracks. If the damage is extensive, eifs will be necessary to fill in large gaps or repair any missing areas. Once the eifs has cured, the repaired area can then be painted to match the original colors of the surrounding walls.