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 of the house. So, I had the planter removed and a guy put stucco cement in. But the stucco goes all the way down to the patio.
There's no weep screed at that section, or the wall sections covered by the roof eaves.
The pictures I've included were taken the morning after a night of rain. Do I have a problem that needs to be repaired?
Lastly, I had to replace my electrical panel, and the stucco around that was repaired too. It looks good to me, but I'm not sure... In the pictures, you'll notice that I'm in the middle of installing a French drain. That's unrelated to the stucco issues.
Answer:
You’re absolutely on the right track by addressing the planter and adding a French drain, those are excellent steps to mitigate future water pooling. Let's answer your questions!
Stucco Touching the Patio:
If there are no signs of moisture or water damage visible on the interior walls, it’s typically not a major issue in older homes. The absence of a weep screed could become problematic over time if moisture starts to wick into the walls, but if everything looks dry now, you’re likely fine.
Repairing this would be the best long-term solution, but it can be costly and, in many cases, unnecessary if no water damage is present. Keep an eye on the interior for any signs of moisture, and address those promptly if they arise.
Slope of the Concrete: The pooling water next to the house is primarily due to the concrete’s slope. Resloping the concrete to direct water away from the house would be the best long-term solution, but it is often the most expensive option.
Another alternative is to install a surface drain along the affected area to capture and redirect water. While this can also be costly, it may be more practical in certain situations where options are available and cost estimates vary significantly.
Roof Eave Areas Without Weep Screed:
The scenario here is similar to the patio area. If there are no signs of water intrusion on the interior walls, it’s probably fine for now. Removing a couple inches of soil and adding some drainage rock or other drainage landscaping material around these areas would help immensely in directing water away from the walls and reducing the risk of future issues.
While the lack of a weep screed isn’t ideal, it might not be necessary to fix unless there are clear signs of moisture problems.
Stucco Around the Electrical Panel:
From your photos, the stucco repair around the electrical panel appears fine, but the edges of the patch are not as feathered in as I would like to see, and the texture is rougher than what’s on your existing walls.
If the repair was done properly, though, it should last and remain functional, doing what it is supposed to do. Just keep an eye on these areas to ensure it stays watertight and free of any signs of cracking or moisture intrusion.
My Recommendations:
- Weep Screed: If there are no visible signs of water intrusion on the interior walls, the absence of a weep screed may not be a pressing issue, especially for older homes that have had many rain cycles.
A weep screed provides drainage and ventilation to the wall and would be one beneficial addition if water issues arise in the future. Retrofitting one can be expensive, so monitoring for any signs of moisture before proceeding with repairs is a practical approach. - Sealing and Slope: Ensure that the patched stucco is sealed where it meets the patio and that the patio is sloped away from the house to prevent water from pooling against the walls.
Proper sloping is one of the most effective ways to divert water and help keep the walls dry. This simple adjustment can significantly reduce the risk of moisture-related issues in the future. - French Drain: Finish installing the French drain to redirect water away from the foundation. This will help significantly in managing water in a smaller area like this.
You can also tie other areas into the French drain to divert water away from nearby walls, further protecting your stucco and foundation from potential moisture issues. I hope my advice helps you out in some sort of way! Thanks for your question!
