Hairline cracks tend to result from heavy vibrations due to construction or harsh weather, especially in new homes. Repairing stucco cracks, why new stucco walls can crack. Unlike hairline cracks, a large stucco crack may indicate a structural problem. Because stucco is a rigid material, it doesnt flex or shift as your house ages.
Repairing hairline cracks in exterior stucco a helpful. When the older homes were constructed, the studs used were 2x4inches not the reduced size now used, and they were kilndried. The wood dries, the vibrations from the construction equipment and other factors play a significant role in this for a brand new home. Cracking is one of the largest complaints from homeowners with stucco homes. When is it time to repair stucco cracks in the walls. On floridas west coast, wood frames are typically constructed on the second floor of a home, over a first floor of. The stucco exterior of my 100yearold house is cracked in several places. Most of the time, these will be relatively small and are refer to as hairline cracks. How to repair stucco bob vila home improvement, home. Glass, concrete, and stucco usually dont flex much, they instead shatter or crack with all movement and or vibrations. If you have stucco, you need to understand how the cracks come about, and when youll need to repair them.
Virtually all stucco homes these days all suffer from one thing, cracking. Large cracks that are more than 116 inch can cause water intrusion issues and other damage. After reading a similar thread with a home that was older and seeing his pictures i wanted to post this picture of one side of the home. If you have cracked stucco, that moisture can seep in and cause several types of damage.
Though cracks in stucco can occur due to different factors, two leading causes of cracks are the house settling process and shrinkageinduced. The january 2007 article on stucco cracks dealt with myths, planning, caveats and. Hairline cracks are typically around a 116 of an inch wide or smaller, if the crack is bigger than that, than chances are that some other element is the culprit. When stucco cracks, it can allow water in, which can lead to rotting wood. This level of maintenance is to be expected with all stucco homes. The same crew applied the stucco to his home as mine but they did other. When this happens, it increases the risk the risk of structural damage to the home. I have found this throughout the exterior of the home and its only 1 year old. Now in the winter i am seeing more and more hairline cracks and some spider cracks but still hairline. Most stucco walls just crack somewhat vertically and at a slight angle at all doors. Understanding house settling cracks ask the builder.
How to recognize a problematic foundation crack and what to do about it top tip. New homes are plagued with shrinkage cracks because the wood framing is shrinking as it looses water. Anyone with stucco walls will tell you that cracks seem to be a way of life for them. Multiple cracks in stucco new construction home inspection.
Multiple hairline cracks in stucco home inspection. If you feel you have a true settlement crack, the best person to. The set up so, you have installed a cement or hard coat stucco system. Hello everyone, i have a 5 year old home that had a few hair line cracks the first year. My stucco sub wants to patch them with plastic stucco cement and. I put the builder on notice and of course the warranty has. The wood dries, the vibrations from the construction equipment and other. Additionally, a home can settle over time, sinking tiny amounts here and there. Since a new vapor barrier and new metal lath are often needed when repairing a hole or wide. They ranged any where from 45 feet long to the length of my garage wall 16 plus feet between the front windows. Stucco is wellknown as a durable, versatile and costeffective exterior finish for homes. This kind of stucco crack is about 116 of an inch wide.
As seasonal changes cause small expansion and contracting in the materials that compose your home, the stucco is put under pressure in new ways. The stucco siding on my clients recently remodeled home has developed some small cracks. How to determine if the cracks in walls are serious home. And indeed, when installed correctly, it holds up well. Most of the time these types of cracks can be fixed by homeowners with no plastering experience required, and requires minimal tools to do so. It is normal for plaster to crack from movement and stress, especially in a new home. Yes i have heard stucco cracks but the amount of cracks is my concern. According to almost home, stairstep cracks in cinder block foundation walls usually found in unfinished basements are a result of soil settling beneath the center of. More great info and one on one support can be found by joining our community. Small cracks that are less than 116 inch are common and can be easily repaired with minor filling and repainting, if needed. Often, large cracks develop at the intersection of vertical walls, at the upper corners of window and door frames, or at joints between wood framing and concretebrick masonry. Stucco is one of the more longlasting options as a siding for your home.
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