Updating stucco exterior
Stucco is a versatile building material, and it’s often used to give homes a unique look. When installed correctly, it creates a smooth finish ideal for painting, adding faux finishes and decorative touches. While stucco in Calgary provides several benefits, it’s not impervious to the weather. If your stucco has dulled and started flaking, you may want to consider updating the look of your exterior.
Find out the best tips on properly updating your stucco exterior to keep it maintained and prevent damage from having to pay for exterior replacements.
Cleaning stucco
Stucco requires regular cleaning to look good and protect the wall from damage. A pressure washer is an effective tool for cleaning stucco because it can remove dirt, grime, and mildew from the wall’s surface.
However, if you live in a humid area, you may have to use a pressure washer with a fog nozzle instead of one with a high-pressure nozzle to prevent damaging the stucco by forcing water through it.
Consider adding colour
Stucco is an excellent material for adding colour to your home’s exterior, as long as you do it properly. First, only use paint made explicitly for stucco–not regular house paint or even exterior latex paint (which can peel). Second, avoid using any sheen; flat is best if possible. Also, remember that some colours may not be compatible with older stucco surfaces and could cause damage if misapplied. If you’re unsure what will work best for your situation, speak with a professional contractor who knows the ins and outs of applying exterior paint over stucco surfaces.
Replace old mortar
If your house has been around for a while, you may have some old mortar cracked or crumbling. If this mortar is in good shape–meaning it still sticks together when you press on it–then all you need is to replace it with new mortar. This should be done every 20 years if you have standard stucco walls (which means they’re not reinforced).
You can mix your mortar by combining Portland cement, sand, and water in a bucket until it has the consistency of peanut butter. Then use a trowel to apply the mortar along the bottom of each crack before pushing them back together with your fingers or a putty knife. You’ll want to wipe away any excess mortar with a damp rag as soon as possible so that it doesn’t harden and create more problems down the road.
Replace siding
One way to update your stucco exterior is by replacing old siding with new siding. If you live in an older home, then chances are that there are some areas where the siding has been damaged or has started to peel off completely. Replacing these areas with new siding will give your home an updated look without spending too much money or time. You can replace these areas yourself or hire a stucco Calgary for the job if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.
Repairing cracks and holes
Repairing cracks and holes in your stucco exterior is essential for protecting your home from water damage, which can cause mould growth within your walls if left untreated for too long. A crack sealant should be applied over any cracks that are wider than 1/4 inch wide before they become more prominent than 3/8 inch wide so that rainwater does not seep into your walls during heavy rainstorms.
Conclusion
The biggest problem with stucco in Calgary is that most homeowners are afraid to go near it. That’s because remodelling stucco is quite a job. It can be difficult and dangerous, as you must learn to work with a chiselled cement finish. It can also be very messy. On the other hand, if you use the right tools and materials, you can clean, re-coat, or completely change the look of your stucco exterior over a weekend, for a fraction of what it would cost to replace it.
Golden Trowel Stucco has been providing Calgary homes and commercial properties with top-quality stucco services. For the past 20 years, we have been the number one stucco contractors in the Calgary and Greater Calgary area. We can completely change your property for the better with our stucco services, including stucco installations, stucco and exterior painting, and stucco repairs in Calgary. We’re flexible and ready to help you when you need it. Call us on 403-891-5343 anytime.
