Minor stucco fixes—like sealing small cracks or adding fresh caulk—often wrap up in an hour or two. Larger jobs that call for cutting out damaged sections, installing new lath, and layering fresh stucco can stretch to three or four days because each coat needs time to cure. A pro removes loose material, cleans and dampens the area, applies a bonding agent, and builds up new layers, matching texture and restoring the wall’s weather shield.
Watch for a stucco surface that stays damp days after a storm, develops dark stains, or feels soft or spongy under light pressure. Inside, moisture rings, peeling paint, or soft drywall around windows point to the same issue. Any of these red flags mean water is trapped behind the siding, and it’s time to call a stucco pro before rot or mold sets in.
Give your stucco a once-over every spring and fall. Semiannual checks let you catch hairline cracks, stains, or damp spots before they snowball into pricey repairs. Keep a flashlight handy, look closely around windows and doors, and call a pro if you notice anything soft or discolored. Staying ahead of minor issues protects both your curb appeal and your home’s weather barrier.
A pro starts by scraping away loose material, then cleans and lightly wets the area so new stucco will stick. After brushing on a bonding agent, they build fresh layers, letting each coat cure before adding the next. The final step is matching the texture and color so the patch blends in and the wall regains full weather protection.
Think of repair as a patch: the pro fixes only the visible crack or hole. Remediation goes deeper—crews strip away the compromised stucco, correct the root problem (often water or mold), then rebuild the wall. If tests show structural rot or trapped moisture, remediation is the safer, longer-lasting route; otherwise, a straightforward repair often does the trick.