Do you own a residential home with stucco siding? Many Colorado homeowners prefer stucco siding for its multiple benefits, including low maintenance, fire resistance, and extended longevity (between 50 and 80 years). Unfortunately, stucco moisture problems can undermine the siding’s performance, requiring costly repair or replacement to the adjacent roofing.
Understanding Residential Stucco Siding
Stucco is an exterior siding material manufactured from sand, water, lime, and Portland cement. It offers many unique advantages over other siding alternatives and has a long tradition of being popular among homeowners, especially in Colorado (including the Front Range). Stucco is applied wet and then hardens into a solid final solution.
Although stucco is durable, it is also porous. Under certain circumstances, this trait could allow moisture to penetrate into and through the stucco to a home’s roofing system. For example, stucco often sops moisture from rainwater, sleet, or snowfall. Thus, its water-absorbing properties may create unique challenges for the roof.
How Do Stucco Moisture Problems Arise?
Many potential contributing factors exist if stucco moisture problems occur:
Cracks & Gaps Forming
Stucco is susceptible to cracking as it settles, and tiny gaps might also develop. These openings create a meaningful way for water to penetrate the stucco, further expanding the cracks and gaps.
Improper Installation
Applying each layer of stucco requires extensive skill. Thus, it is not a task for an untrained professional. Poor installation is a leading cause of moisture problems that can develop over time.
Inadequate Drainage
Poor water flow management from the house may cause moisture to soak into the stucco. If improper grading around the house or malfunctioning gutters exist, stucco faces a higher risk of absorbing water.
Incorrect Drip Edge Placement
A drip edge is flashing attached to a roof’s edge. It channels water away from the fascia to the gutters. Improperly installed drip edges instead cause water to seep behind the fascia to the stucco.
Insufficient Flashing
Flashing is a waterproof material that prevents moisture from penetrating vulnerable areas, such as vents and eaves. If flashing is improperly installed or loosens, it allows water absorption into the stucco.
Problematic Sealing
If inadequately caulked, windows and doors may be a gateway to intrusive moisture problems. Water will seep through tiny gaps in a broken seal, resulting in moisture becoming trapped behind the stucco.
Roofing Problems
A roof leak might cause rainwater or snowmelt to drain improperly. Instead of flowing through a gutter channel away from the house, excess moisture intrusively absorbs into and through the stucco.
Weather Conditions
Colorado temperatures and humidity levels change rapidly. Additionally, the freeze-thaw cycle can adversely impact stucco’s performance. Persistently heavy rain or snow may sponge through the stucco.
The Cost Of Stucco Moisture Problems
Water-damaged stucco needs repair or replacement. Otherwise, the problem will worsen and spill over to the roofing system. The severity of damage (including underlying issues) could best determine which corrective measure to pursue. The stucco siding may often experience deep cracks, significant gaps, or other problems requiring resolution. Similarly, if the frame or structural elements behind the stucco have experienced water damage, they can require repair or replacement.
A knowledgeable and experienced contractor should comprehensively inspect the stucco siding along with adjacent areas (including the roofing, the flashing, the fascia boards, the soffits, the drip edges, the sealants surrounding the windows and doors, and the gutters/downspouts). This thorough approach ensures the homeowner receives the appropriate permanent solution, not just a temporary or “incomplete” fix.
Resolving Stucco Moisture Problems
To repair water-damaged stucco or address underlying structural issues, a technician must pinpoint the source of the moisture penetration. Using a hammer and chisel, they may need to remove existing stucco in localized areas. Once the damaged stucco is extracted or underlying issues are sufficiently addressed, a stucco patching compound will be added to match the remaining stucco. If more “extensive” problems exist with the stucco or underneath the surface, the professional could recommend replacing a portion of the stucco siding.
To remedy future challenges with moisture intrusion, a technician may install a vapor barrier and apply new sealants to adjacent areas surrounding windows and doors. Structural elements (such as wood framing) might require repair, restoration, or replacement. Likewise, the professional may perform preventative maintenance, including localized roof repair, flashing or fascia repair or replacement, drip edge installation or replacement, cleaning gutters to remove clogs, or installing a gutter guard protection system to prevent debris buildup.
Hiring A Roofing Specialist
The cost of repairing or replacing a roof due to stucco moisture problems can scare a homeowner into inaction. However, until you obtain a written estimate, you don’t know the exact price. Additionally, you face a significant risk of far costlier problems by not taking proactive measures to address known stucco issues, which creates a compromised roofing system. At Red Diamond Roofing, we are Colorado’s leading roof repair and replacement experts.
Contact Red Diamond Roofing today if you have any stucco-related questions or need a complimentary consultation and written estimate.
