Rich is on the board of a condo association where all units have stucco exterior walls. He asked whether repainting is necessary to preserve the quality of stucco, even though the current paint looks good and was last applied 15 years ago. He also wondered how often stucco walls should be repainted.
Question from Rich:
Thank you for taking so many questions. My question relates to painting on stucco walls. I'm on the board of a condo association and all have stucco outside walls.
The paint on the condos looks good, even though they were last painted about 15 years ago. My question is: Do they need repainting to preserve the quality of the stucco even though to the naked eye, the previous paint job still looks good? If so, how often should they be repainted?
Answer:
Hi Rich! Thanks for reaching out! Based on the images you shared, the paint on your stucco walls seems to be in great condition. Here’s what I recommend when deciding whether to repaint:
Focus on the Condition of the Paint
Instead of repainting based solely on the time since the last application, it’s more effective to assess the paint's current condition. In your case:
- Uniform Coverage: The paint appears to be intact and evenly distributed with no signs of chipping, peeling, or fading. This indicates it’s still providing protection to the stucco and would indicate that it is just fine.
- Surface Integrity: I don’t see any areas where water intrusion, discoloration, or wear has compromised the paint. These are common signs that indicate the need for repainting.
Routine Inspections Are Key...
Rather than setting a specific repainting schedule, prioritize regular inspections of the stucco walls instead.
- Check High-Exposure Walls: Walls facing the storm side or those with the most sun exposure tend to degrade faster. Look for cracks, peeling paint, or faded areas on these walls, as these will be the first to show signs of needing to be repainted.
Chimneys are also fully exposed and will likely need to be addressed earlier than other walls on stucco homes. - Inspect Every Year or Two: This can help you identify specific walls or sections that may need attention sooner than others. Inspections every year, before the winter months hit, is your best bet and will allow you to tackle any issues you need while the weather is fair.
Every two years if the walls have a newer coat of paint on them.
Why Inspections Matter
- Weather Variations: Factors like storms, humidity, and sun exposure vary by location and can impact the lifespan of the paint differently across the property.
- Cost Efficiency: Repainting only the areas that truly need it can save money and extend the time before a full repainting is necessary.
When to Repaint
- If you notice peeling, discoloration, or cracks in the paint, repainting those areas promptly can prevent water intrusion and protect the stucco.
- While your current paint appears to be holding up well, keep in mind that paint typically loses some of its protective properties over time, but stucco has its own protective properties, separate from the paint layer.
An inspection every 1–2 years will help you catch early signs of wear.
Let me know if you’d like tips on how to inspect or what to look for specifically! This approach should help you maintain the stucco walls effectively without unnecessary repainting.
