All posts in "Q and A"
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How Do I Match This Historic Stucco Finish?

Tim owns a home over 100 years old and needs to insulate the exterior walls with dense-pack cellulose while maintaining the house’s historic appearance. He sent in a picture of the stucco finish, asking for details about the finish type, how it’s made, and the tools required to replicate it. Question from Tim:I own a home […]

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I Need Help Color Matching My Old Stucco Color!

Wes has a 40-year-old home in South Florida with a linen-colored stucco that has never been painted. He’s having trouble finding a supplier that can provide a matching stucco mix or batch and is looking for recommendations to restore the home’s original look. Question from Wes:Good day. My name is Wes. I have a house in […]

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Need Advice on Sealing My Window and Stucco Cracks

Gretchen has a 1950s house with water intrusion issues around the windows, cracks in the stucco sills, and wall cracks on the west-facing side of the home. Given the harsh Florida sun and frequent rainstorms, she’s looking for advice on repairing these issues and ensuring the home is properly sealed and protected. Question from Gretchen:Hi Ryan! […]

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Bottom of Stucco Wall is Failing and Water Is Getting In Wall!

Dan has an older stucco garage with water pooling against the base, causing damage to the stucco. He’s also dealing with cracks in the drainage channel and is unsure of the best materials to use for repairs. Let’s tackle these concerns step by step. Question from Dan:Could I please trouble you for some advice? I have […]

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I Want to Repaint My Stucco House, Is Pressure Washing Enough?

Pastora wants to repaint her house a different color after 10 years and is wondering if she needs to use a primer or if pressure washing will suffice. Let’s take a look at what’s needed to get the best results. Question from Pastora:My house was painted 10 years ago, now I want to paint the house […]

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Stucco Paper Has Been Installed For Months, Is It Okay?

Bob reached out with a concern about his stucco schedule being delayed, leaving his asphalt paper exposed for nine months. Let’s dive into the potential risks and whether the paper can be restored. Question from Bob:I have had a delay in my stucco schedule that has resulted in my paper being exposed for 9 months. What […]

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I Painted Stucco Patch and the Color Seems Off…

Rich recently repainted areas where he had filled holes from removed shutters. Even though he used the exact same yellow paint, the spots now appear to have a greenish tint. Let’s explore why this happens and how to address it. Question from Rich:I filled some holes where shutters were and painted them the exact same yellow […]

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Are These Window Weep Holes In My Stucco?

Anna has a 70+ year-old wood frame stucco home with original double-hung wood windows. She’s noticed 3-inch wide openings under the window frames in the stucco corners and wonders if these might be weep holes. Let’s explore what they could be and how to address them. Question from Anna:I have a 70+ year-old wood frame stucco […]

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Stucco Cracking & Rust Spots, What Should I Do?

Akhnaten reached out with concerns about cracking and telegraphic rust spots appearing on a stucco wall. Let’s explore potential causes, solutions, and whether a complete redo is necessary. Question from Akhnaten:Greetings. This stucco wall is experiencing cracking and also telegraphic rusting spots. While the rust spots are appearing randomly, they do somewhat appear to be uniform […]

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Stucco Color Sample Doesn’t Look Right, Now What?

Julie reached out with a challenging situation involving inconsistent stucco colors and a tight timeline. She’s looking for a reliable greige color and guidance on how to move forward. Question from Julie:Hi Ryan, I am reaching out because you seem to be the only person online that knows a lot about stucco (more than the stucco […]

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How Do I Achieve This Heavy Stucco Texture?

Mike, thank you for sharing your photos! This heavy dash finish is stunning and certainly makes a bold statement. Reproducing this style is definitely possible, especially for smaller features like your outdoor fireplace and bar. Let’s talk about how you can achieve it. Question from Mike:Hi, Stucco Guy — Thank you for your informative website! My […]

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Would I Need to Use This Deck To Wall Flashing for My Stucco?

Using the right type of metal flashing is critical for stucco and deck waterproofing systems. Alexi from Southern California asked about the use of “deck diato” metal in stucco repairs near decks and whether it is an appropriate choice for waterproofing.Question from Alexi:Here in Southern California, some deck contractors specify that they will use diato […]

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Stucco Repair Analysis and A Potential Water Issue?

Rainwater pooling against stucco and improper weep screed installation are common concerns for homeowners. Jasi recently noticed some potential issues after removing a planter and replacing an electrical panel. Here’s what she asked. Question from Jasi:Hi. I just moved into my house and noticed that the rain was pooling around a brick planter against the stucco […]

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How Can You Add Strength to an Older Home with Open Stud Framing?

Older homes with open frame stucco can present unique challenges, especially when updating for earthquake retrofitting and insulation. Tony from Southern California asked for advice on how to brace the walls since there’s no sheathing. Question from Tony:Our house in Southern California was built in 1970 and has an open frame stucco job (no sheathing). I […]

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Is It Normal for Stucco to Separate/Crack Around Vinyl Windows?

Stucco cracking around vinyl windows is a common concern, especially for homeowners in climates with extreme temperature changes. Isabel reached out with a question about whether these cracks are normal and if caulking is the right solution. Question from Isabel:In the past year, I had full vinyl window replacements with a full nail fin flange install […]

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Stucco Crack Keeps Reappearing, What Should I Do?

Today’s question comes from Dan and the question is regarding a crack that is on an inside corner that has been repaired using caulking but keeps reappearing. This is not too common of an issue but does happen from time to time. Question from Dan:”Will installing an expansion joint at the corner resolve repeated cracking, […]

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Can I Make a Custom Stucco Color?

In our latest stucco Q&A, we’re tackling a colorful conundrum from Cheryl, who’s in the midst of finalizing the exterior finish for her home. Cheryl writes: “We are getting ready to stucco our home – the lath, scratch, brown coat, and mesh have been done for a fine sand stucco application. A sample of Clay X-830 […]

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Trying to Color Match Stucco Color on 38 Year Old Stucco

Today, we’re assisting David, who faces a challenge many homeowners encounter with older stucco finishes: “I’m trying to match the color on stucco that’s 38 years old. Initially, I thought the original color was lighter and that it had become stained over time, but after removing pieces, I’m noticing a darker, more colorful shade just below […]

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Stucco Color Doesn’t Look Right | What Should I Do?

Welcome to our stucco Q&A, where we dive into the nitty-gritty of stucco applications and color concerns. Today, we’re responding to Griselda, who’s facing a common predicament that some homeowners may encounter after a fresh coat of stucco has been applied to the walls.Griselda writes: “I had new stucco put on my house yesterday and the […]

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How Long Does This Stucco Paper Last on My 1967 Home? | Q and A

In today’s Q&A, we’re addressing a question from Brad, about the lifespan of his waterproofing paper behind his stucco. He’s curious about the durability of the original paper that was used and whether the time has come for replacement.  It’s a common concern among owners of older stucco homes, and I’m here to shed light […]

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