The yuletide season is a beautiful time of year. It’s when everyone is busy preparing and thinking about gifts, food, and get-togethers. However, this is also when the winter weather can take a toll on your stucco. Stucco homes are more vulnerable to damages causing cracks on your stucco walls. Moisture can seep into these cracks and result in the growth of mold and mildew. Though this might be the case, there are things that you can do to prevent this from happening or at least minimize the damages.
Is stucco able to withstand the winter season?
Although stucco appears to be quite challenging, it, unfortunately, is not exempt from moisture damage during winter. The inclement weather can take a toll on your physical well-being and the structural integrity of your home. An essential part of keeping your house in good condition is appropriately managing water and taking preventative measures in advance. Moreover, stucco is a popular siding for many homeowners because it is low-maintenance. Nevertheless, stucco repair is still necessary to protect your home from moisture damage and other risks that come with the winter season. Here are tips on how you can keep your stucco in good condition this winter:
Applying Masonry Paint
One primary advantage of stucco is it doesn’t need frequent painting to maintain its color. Stucco can last for decades without requiring a fresh coat of paint. Nevertheless, painting your stucco walls with masonry paint can help protect them from the winter weather. Masonry paint is a type designed explicitly for stucco and other masonry surfaces. This type of paint can withstand the harshness of winter season. Moreover, masonry paint can also help improve the insulation of your stucco walls, which is beneficial in keeping your home warm during the cold months.
Ensure that the stucco is kept dry
Another way to protect your stucco during winter is by ensuring that it stays dry. Moisture is one of the primary causes of stucco damage. When water seeps into the stucco, it can cause cracking, leading to further moisture damage. Therefore, it is essential to keep your stucco walls dry at all times, especially during winter. Cleaning your stucco surfaces regularly is one way to do this. You can also use power washers to remove dirt and grime from your stucco walls. Make sure to use a mild detergent when cleaning stucco, as harsh chemicals can damage the surface.
Get Rid of Stains Right Away
Another way to keep your stucco in good condition is by removing stains promptly. Stains can cause the stucco to deteriorate and can be difficult to remove if left for too long. Therefore, drawing any staining materials, such as dirt, grime, and leaves, is essential as soon as possible. You can use a power washer or a garden hose with a nozzle attachment to remove these staining materials from your stucco surface.
Repairing damaged stucco
The best solution to stucco snow intrusion into a wall assembly is retrofitting a new, adequately drained surface. Effectively preventing snow water from entering the wall assembly, adding drainage plane material over the existing stucco will keep your home in better condition during winter.
To keep water out of your wall system, put a drainage screen at the bottom and weep holes into any window or door openings. By doing this, you will direct melt snow away from the wall’s face, which then prevents it from entering. If repairing stucco isn’t an option, you might be able to change moisture levels in the wall so that concrete can store moisture safely coming in. However, it’s important to remember that these solutions only temporarily improve the problem. Moisture issues could start again if more water can get into the cracks because sealants wore down or additional cracks developed.
Despite our desire to enjoy the cold breeze of winter, prevention is always better than cure. You should consult a stucco repair service Orlando company to prepare your walls for the upcoming winter.
