The Science of Stucco Installation

Stucco installation is not a simple process but a complicated one involving many steps

Installing stucco is a complicated procedure with many steps. It takes several days before a stucco wall can be considered finished: first the frame and the lath should be laid down, then the mortar should be applied in layers, then the finish should be created, then the wall should be allowed to dry completely. From the scratch coat, to the whitewashing, to dashing, and finishing the complete stucco job, it is the installation of a stucco wall that determines how beautiful and how long the wall will last. There are several considerations that have to be checked to ensure the quality of a stucco installation:

1. The framing and sheathing should be properly installed. If not, the stucco mixture might sag, or moisture from the wet mortar can seep through the wall, stay there, and cause future damage.

2. Flashing and water-resistant barriers should be compliant to code requirements.

3. The lath and accessories should be properly installed as well. Control and expansion joints should not be interchanged.

4. The aggregate used should be of substantial quantity and quality.

5. Moist curing should be done adequately and accurately. It should be done immediately after the basecoat is applied.

More than creating a beautiful finish for the stucco, the application of the foundations frames and the mortar should also be given considerable attention. Water and moisture is a stucco wall's number one enemy. Once it seeps in through cracks, it can damage the lath, cause joints or attachments to expand, and cause the actual stucco mortar to weaken. This causes long cracks which can run from the bottom of wall straight up in vertical rows.

Aside from the materials and the procedures, the weather should also be considered for starting a stucco job. Stucco dries quickly in very hot days, preventing a careful application. But applying it during cold weather will also cause the mortar to set without drying completely, thus lessening its potential strength.

Installing a stucco wall is not just a physical task, it is also a science that requires precision and technique. To get more resources for proper stucco installation, please visit www.Skystucco.com.

*Sky Stucco assumes no responsibility regarding the accuracy of the information that is provided by Sky Stucco and use of such information is at the recipient's own risk. Sky Stucco provides no assurances that any reported problems may be resolved with the use of any information that Sky Stucco provides. Consult Sky Stucco or another professional to provide accurate information that is specific to your needs. Information may be changed or updated without notice.