Cracks in stucco should be repaired in order to prevent mold and moisture problems.
Stucco siding is popular in homes because of its aesthetic appeal and durability. Even the best stucco siding can crack or start to crumble. Any holes or cracks in stucco must be repaired in order to keep out moisture from the home that can cause mold problems. Does this Spark an idea?
Small Cracks
If you just have a small crack in your stucco wall, fill the crack with masonry caulk. Fill the crack with caulk until it overflows. Use a trowel or putty knife to blend the caulk into the wall. Let the caulk dry, and then paint it so that it matches the existing wall color.
Small holes
If you have a small hole to repair, no more than several inches, apply a premixed stucco compound. First you need to remove some of the loose stucco that is attached to the hole with a wire brush. Add a coat of metal primer to the exposed lath.
Read the manufacturer's directions on the stucco repair compound to find out exactly how long it will take for the compound to dry. Spread the stucco compound over the hole. Let it overflow from the hole and then use a trowel or putty knife to blend the stucco into the wall. Use a whisk broom to give the stucco the same surface as the rest of the wall. The stucco will need to dry for several days. Once it dries, paint over the repaired surface with a paint that matches the wall.
Large holes
For holes that are a few feet long, you will need to be more aggressive. Open up the area around the hole and chip away at all of the old stucco. You may need to replace the metal lathe behind the wall. If this is the case, cut a size of metal lathe that will fit the space and nail it to the wall.
For larger projects, mix your own stucco. According to "The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair," you can mix stucco by combining three parts sand, two parts Portland cement and one part masonry cement.
Apply approximately 3/8 inches of the mix over the metal lathe. Make sure that the stucco gets behind the holes in the lathe. This first application must dry for two days. It must also be misted with a water bottle every two to four hours. After letting the first application dry, add another coat of the mixture. Keep adding coats, letting it dry and misting the area until the stucco is flush with the rest of the wall. Finally, even out the stucco surface with a trowel. Once it has dried, add a layer of paint that matches the color of the wall.
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