Which of These Hidden Problems Lurk Beneath Your Home’s Stucco Exterior?

Many homes and businesses in Arizona have stucco exteriors, as they compliment the Southwest look, provide insulation from the hot sun, and also stand up well to the test of time.  However, stucco exteriors do need to be inspected regularly to look for normal wear and tear and other damage. It’s better to catch a small problem early and do your stucco repair in Phoenix AZ when the problem is still small, as opposed to being faced with a big stucco repair job later on.

Naturally, you can do your own stucco inspections on a monthly basis by walking around your home and checking each wall carefully. Be sure to climb up on a ladder to examine the high points more closely. Once a year or so you may also bring in a professional stucco inspector to be sure you haven’t missed anything.

So what are you looking for? These sorts of tell-tale signs…

Large Cracks

You may see some smaller cracking in your stucco, which usually isn’t something to be concerned about. However, if these “hairline” cracks widen or lengthen, then you may have a problem on your hands. If you’re not sure if a crack is normal or if you need stucco repair on your Phoenix home, then ask a stucco specialist for his or her assessment of the crack.

Holes in the Stucco

Holes are usually caused by some sort of specific damage, like a baseball hitting the wall, a branch hitting the stucco in a windstorm or similar events.  If you suspect that something has happened to damage your stucco, inspect it immediately. 

Buckling or Bubbling Stucco

Another thing to look for is buckling, bubbling or other evidence that something is wrong with the stucco. This could be a sign that water damage has already occurred or that your stucco is vulnerable to water damage, so you want to get this particular problem addressed right away.

Conclusion

If you suspect you need stucco repair in Phoenix, then get it taken care of right away. That’s because holes, cracks and other damage can let water seep in.  If this happens during the monsoon season, the water will get beneath the stucco, but it won’t be able to dry out. When this happens, you can start having problems with mold, mildew or even rotting wood. The wooden frame of your house may rot which can create structural integrity problems. This is not only dangerous, but it’s also a complex and a costly problem to fix. So, the point is, take care of any holes or other damage immediately before it becomes a big problem.

The best thing you can do today is get in touch with the stucco specialists at Todd Whittaker Drywall, Inc. You can find them online at www.twdaz.com. They’ve been doing stucco repair in Arizona since 1996, so they know what to look for and they know how to fix your stucco. Give them a call or email them today – you’ll be glad you did!

Original Source: http://my.telegraph.co.uk/homeremodelingtips/brittneydavis278/1/hidden-problems-lurk-beneath-your-homes-stucco-exterior/

Why You Need to Repair Damaged Stucco ASAP

Many homes and businesses in Arizona sport a beautiful stucco exterior and/or interior. Not only does the stucco fit well into the desert, but properly applied stucco can protect a home for many years – maybe even for a lifetime.

However, not all stucco is sound and can lose its integrity. This can sometimes be caused from application or paint not fully protecting it from the elements. In other words, though stucco is a protective property for the exterior of your home, it does lend itself to being vulnerable if not completely coated. For this reason, keeping up with regular maintenance and paint on your home is a must to make sure your home stands the test of time.

In other cases, a home or business many develop stucco problems on the interior or exterior due to physical damage.  For example, older stucco in a high-trafficked area may get damaged over time from rambunctious kids or pets. Damage can occur from weather, automobile accidents or fallen trees.

By performing a regular inspection of your home to look for possible cracks, chips, buckling, bubbling, peeling and other problems with stucco, you can detect any rising issues early. If you see these problems, you’ll need to hire a contractor for stucco repair in Phoenix as soon as possible. That’s because the longer you wait, the more likely it is that your home or business will become damaged beneath the surface, especially from moisture.

Now, you may be wondering what the rush is, since you live in the desert and moisture isn’t a big problem. Anything that gets wet dries fast here, right?

Not exactly.

You see, stucco is designed to keep your home or business insulated. Once moisture gets behind the stucco, it doesn’t dry very easily. What happens next is the moisture damage starts adding up over time. At first you may see some problems with delaminating material, or perhaps you note little bubbles on the wall. With time, however, these “little problems” can create major structural integrity problems or mold. The building may literally be rotting from the inside out, and none of it is visible from the outside.

When this happens, a small stucco repair Phoenix AZ job turns into a major renovation. Once mold is present in a home, a remediation company has to be used due to health risks. Some houses need to be gutted if the problem was left unattended for too long. Homeowners who could have repaired the stucco for a few hundred or a few thousand dollars are suddenly looking at much greater repair costs to fully ensure the safety of their family.

Worse yet, some homeowners don’t even realize they have these problems until they try to sell their home. When a home inspector uncovers the stucco damage, suddenly the homeowners’ dreams of a quick sale evaporate. Then they’re forced to either repair the home on their dollar or sell it at an absolute rock-bottom “salvage” price.

Point is, if you suspect that you have stucco damage, having the necessary repairs done is a must to keep your home or business intact and protected from moisture or even unwanted pests. Spending the time and money for upkeep on your home will in turn save you money in the long run.







Original Article:

http://www.interestingarticles.com/remodeling/why-you-need-to-repair-damaged-stucco-asap-19884.html