Several warning signs can indicate stucco damage. If you encounter these signs, you really ought to schedule a stucco inspection.
If you don’t get your stucco inspected when these warning signs are apparent, you’re risking the structural integrity of your home. Plus, it may cost a lot more to repair or replace your stucco if you allow the damage to develop.
One of the most common issues with stucco is water damage, which we will discuss in this article. So now, let’s look at the seven signs where it’s time to schedule a stucco inspection.
Table of Contents
1. Leaks in Your Stucco’s Siding
It’s important to think back over the years whether there have been any leaks in your stucco’s siding. Then consider whether any of these leaks were plumbing-related or not.
If your leaks weren’t something to do with your home’s plumbing, then there is a good chance that the exterior of your home is compromised.
If you notice any leaks or damp patches in and around your stucco, it’s best to call in professionals. And when it’s stucco-related, plumbers aren’t ideal.
Certified stucco inspectors have the tools and know-how to diagnose why your stucco is leaking and how to repair water-damaged stucco. The best stucco inspectors should be Stucco Safe Certified.
2. Check All Your Home’s Caulking
Caulking is the waterproof sealant that surrounds your home’s windows and doors. It only works effectively to prevent water from entering your home when it completely seals these areas.
You should check all your caulking to see if it is fully intact, or are there parts missing? Also, check to see if the caulking is aging or damaged. As well, if there’s any kind of draft coming through your windows and doors, it means water will be able to enter too.
The reason why it’s so important to inspect all your caulking is that any water left inside your home has a good chance of deteriorating your stucco.
If you’re in doubt and unsure, get a certified inspector in to take a look. They can use thermal cameras to check your home properly for stucco water damage.
3. Does Your Stucco Transition Correctly?
Usually, homes will have stucco that transitions to other materials. At this transition point, both materials must be bound together using an approved sealant.
Therefore, check anywhere on your property where stucco transitions into other materials—much like when you check the caulking. Search for areas where the sealant is missing, damaged, or looking old and worn.
4. Termite Damage Behind Stucco
It can be challenging to determine on your own whether termite damage behind your stucco.
The first thing to look out for is tiny cracks in your stucco because if there are, then your stucco is at least vulnerable to termites. Termites love to get through these cracks and into your home’s interior. Furthermore, check for tiny little holes for signs of termites burrowing through your stucco.
It might even be worth researching the four main termite species in North America, so that you can look out for them on your property.
If you suspect there could be termites entering your stucco, then call in the pros to carry out a non-invasive or invasive inspection—or both if you want to really deal with the problem.
5. Hail Damage to Stucco
Hail can damage stucco in some unique ways. If you’ve experienced hail recently, it’s a good idea to check your stucco for impact marks, which will be circular in appearance.
The real issue is if these impacts will allow water to seem behind your stucco into your home’s interior. Like we’ve mentioned, once water gets through, it can cause all sorts of damage that could ruin your building’s structural integrity.
Get your stucco examined professionally if you think hail has caused a significant amount of damage.
6. Stucco Cracking and Discoloration
By far, probably the most obvious way to see problems with your stucco is when it’s cracking or discoloration.
Walk around your home and try to identify any thin or long cracks, heavy stains and discolorations, and bulges in the wall. Also, check for any missing stucco.
If you see any of these issues occurring, it’s wise to get a certified stucco inspector on the scene to get them fixed before they get worse.
After all, it might be that just a little work is needed to get your stucco back up to scratch. So you could save loads of money by getting an inspection carried out, even for advice on preventative measures.
7. Rot on Your Exterior Walls
Finally, the last sign we’re looking at, which may mean you need to get your stucco inspected, is rotting on your walls.
The best place to start looking for rot is next to all your windows and doors. This is because they are all areas that might have their sealed areas compromised. Look for dark areas, small cracks, and the smell of rotting wood could be apparent when you get up close.
Rot occurs when it enters your internal wall cavities and typically does this on the lower parts of the windows and doors, so be sure to check these areas.
It’s also wise to check things such as electrical outlets, wires, fans, pipework, decks, and light fixtures for signs of rot. Usually, if there’s rot in your home’s stucco, it will likely be in these other areas of the house just mentioned.
Avoid Stucco Damage
We’ve now checked out seven signs that could mean your stucco is damaged. They’re also early warning signs where stucco damage could be minimal but developing.
Whatever the case, if you notice any of these signs, it’s worth getting a precise stucco inspection and testing for your home. Hiring a stucco inspection technician to investigate your stucco thoroughly will be the best way to identify and confirm any issues.
So why not contact our certified stucco inspection team today for your free consultation?