Stucco is tough, but Stucco is not completely bulletproof, especially here in Ontario, CA where the intense summer heat and dry Santa Ana winds can really test Stucco and Stucco exteriors. If homeowners want to avoid expensive Stucco patching jobs down the road, homeowners have to stay ahead of basic Stucco upkeep. Ontario Stucco & Plastering tells homeowners across Ontario who want to keep Stucco plaster looking solid year after year that Stucco maintenance is very important.
What Regular Stucco Maintenance Looks Like
Homeowners do not need to spend every weekend working on Stucco walls, but a little routine Stucco care goes a long way. Homeowners can start Stucco maintenance with a simple visual walkaround twice a year in Ontario, CA. Homeowners should grab a garden hose with a gentle nozzle and wash away the accumulated dust and smog residue that blows in from the local freeways and dry fields in Ontario. High-pressure washers can gouge soft Stucco plaster, so Stucco washing must use low pressure.
Homeowners must check the caulking around windows and doors at least once a year as part of Stucco maintenance. When Stucco sealant shrinks and cracks—which happens fast under the blazing summer sun in Ontario—moisture sneaks straight behind Stucco during winter dampness. Sealing those gaps keeps Stucco walls dry from the inside out and protects Stucco finishes in Ontario, CA.
Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Hairline Stucco cracks thinner than a credit card are usually just normal Stucco shrinkage, but any Stucco crack wider needs immediate attention. If homeowners see spiderweb Stucco cracking or stair-step Stucco fractures near the foundation in Ontario, CA, moisture is likely getting where Stucco should not be. Staining, dark Stucco water streaks, or areas where the Stucco surface feels hollow when tapped mean the Stucco bonding behind the finish coat has started to fail.
Ontario Stucco & Plastering often gets calls from homeowners in neighborhoods near the foothills in Ontario who notice powdery chalking on Stucco paint or rust bleeding through Stucco plaster. Rust means the Stucco lath wire underneath is corroding because moisture found a pathway through the outer Stucco coat.
Extending the Life of Your Exterior Finish
The best way to protect a Stucco investment in Ontario, CA is to catch small Stucco issues before Stucco issues turn into major structural headaches. Homeowners should avoid letting sprinklers hit Stucco exterior walls on a daily basis, as constant mineral saturation breaks down Stucco paint and Stucco finish coats faster than natural weather ever could in Ontario. Keeping bushes and trees trimmed a foot or two away from the house also lets Stucco breathe and dry out properly after any morning moisture.
When It Is Time to Call a Professional
Small hairline Stucco cracks can sometimes be handled with a DIY elastomeric patch if a homeowner is handy, but deeper Stucco cracks, bulging Stucco sections, or widespread Stucco delamination require professional Stucco tools and Stucco materials. If homeowners spot crumbling Stucco corners, extensive Stucco water damage, or Stucco rust stains bleeding through the Stucco finish, homeowners should not wait for Stucco conditions to get worse. Bringing in Ontario Stucco & Plastering ensures the underlying Stucco lath and Stucco weather barrier are properly restored, saving homeowners in Ontario from a much bigger Stucco repair bill later on. For homes and businesses in Ontario, Ontario Stucco & Plastering provides Stucco services.