If your home has suffered water damage, such as a flood or hurricane, your first order of business will most likely most likely be a Stucco Repair. Homes built in low-lying areas are especially vulnerable to water damage because they have no basement and cannot build up a layer of stucco to protect the home from water. If your home is flooded, all too often, the “carpet floor” on which the home rests becomes soaked with the water causing it to buckle and sometimes to completely separate from the house. Most often, this ends in a disastrous and costly renovation project.
If your home has sustained any amount of water damage, you should call a professional to assess the extent of the damage. The first thing your repair specialist will want to do is to assess the base coat of stucco on your home and if there is any sign of deterioration. Areas of damaged stucco that have fallen off or loosened completely must be repaired by a full exterior restoration method using a heavy layer of new building paper, sanding, filling in cracks, and applying three coats stucco repair compound. The exterior restoration process will most likely begin on the perimeter of the damage and then work its way inwards to the center. Your repair specialist will be able to determine exactly where the damage is along the exterior walls and base coat by taking photographs of the damage. Visit their website at https://www.stuccorepairtampa.net/ for more information because once this has been determined, he or she will be able to assess the repair required accurately.
Your repair specialist will first assess the extent of the Portland cement eroding on your stucco surface. Portland cement is a highly resilient aggregate, but like any other natural product, it can be affected by changes in temperature, weather conditions, and environmental factors such as water. As Portland cement ages, it begins to form cracks and breaks down, and depending on the severity of the problem, it may require extensive repairs. If your repair is limited to just a few areas, the cost will be minimal.
Next, your Portland cement repair specialist will check for any loose pieces of stucco or underlying metal. If you find metal chips or loose stucco pieces, your particular repair job will likely require a metal overlay. This consists of a sheet of metal that is bent to fit over the top of your existing stucco and then placed over the cracks or gaps. In addition to an attractive architectural look, metal overlays can offer several benefits such as greater strength, easier installation, better insulation, and resistance to fire. The final step is to apply a layer of building paper or tar paper over the metalized overlay to seal and protect the repair.
When stucco begins to crack or break, a patch area is created between the damaged area and the underlying stucco. The purpose of this patch area is to prevent moisture from seeping into the damaged area. Metal lath is used to the same end, except instead of providing a protective barrier, metal lath provides a means for holding the patch area together.
There are two main types of Portland cement repairs. The first involves a surface repair. This repair process consists of patching up any small tears or cracks in the surface of your Portland cement, along with sealing any small gaps and openings that exist between the patch and the underlying stucco. For this type of repair, you may use either epoxy or acrylic adhesive. The advantage of using epoxy is that it provides a tighter bond to the surrounding area, creating a more durable finish. On the other hand, it is more difficult for the repair to bond to the surrounding area when using an acrylic adhesive.
For a second repair, known as stucco wall repair, your repair job will begin by preparing the area you are going to patch. You will need to prepare the concrete with a trowel. Using a trowel, gently apply a generous amount of sanding compound to the concrete and scrape it away with a trowel. Then you will need to apply a mixture of two gallons of paint and three cups of water to the patch. Mix the paint and water to make a thick consistency, which will create a more durable layer upon the concrete.
Once you have applied the primer to your repair, you will then want to put on the latex gloves. Apply the loose pieces of the stucco using a chisel and then push them into place with the chisel. Scrape off any excess mortar with a putty knife and then carefully brush in an even layer over the repaired area. Finally, apply one final layer of sanding compound and then let it dry overnight.