What is Stucco?
Stucco is a fine, pulverized mixture of cement and sand or some combination of the two materials. It’s an excellent insulator that blocks air movement, so rooms stay warm or cool evenly. Many homeowners take pride in their stucco walls and the neat, painted designs they create. Stucco should never crack or dry out, if this happens, it’s a construction defect. If you suspect your stucco was improperly installed and it’s caused damage to your home, you may be able to file a claim for damages. Reach out to our construction defect lawyers today.
What To Do if Your Stucco Has Cracked
Stucco is a fragile material when it’s not installed correctly. If your home has water or wind damage due to defective construction, you might be able to file a claim and seek damages. Often, stucco damage is caused by contractors not mixing or installing the it correctly. If you think you are dealing with a construction defect, here are a few tips:
Take Pictures of the Damage
Take pictures of the damage caused and the cracks themselves.
Ask the Contractor to Repair Everything
A lot of contractors will come back and happily repair everything. Give them a chance to make things right, and bring up their warranties.
Contact a Construction Defect Lawyer
If your contractor does not work with you, it’s time to call our office. Contractors have a legal obligation to warranty their work and should be held accountable for poor stucco installation. We offer our services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything until we’ve reached a settlement in or out of court.
Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
Common Stucco Cracks and When To Worry
There are many kinds of stucco defects. Let’s review them.
Foam Trim Cracks
Stucco cracks can appear where there is foam trim or moldings used to architecturally highlight the features of a home. These cracks can be concerning as they can let in moisture and cause water damage.
Spider Cracks
Stucco spider cracks look just like a spiderweb pattern. Stucco spiderweb cracks are caused by improper use of mud in the mix. Whether there was too much or not enough water in the mix, these cracks can allow moisture and water into the home.
Diagonal Line Cracks
These are the least common of all the cracks in stucco. They’re less dramatic than stucco spider cracks, but they’re still a problem, particularly if you have children or pets who like to scratch the wall. A diagonal line crack usually shows up where two exterior walls meet, as each one gets closer perpendicular to the other façade. You should take action sooner rather than later if you see a diagonal line in your stucco because it often indicates water damage.
Hairline Cracks
Hairline cracks are one of the most common. These look like thin crack that travels from top to bottom. They’re usually called this because they look like a hairline fracture. Hairline cracks are straightforward to repair with a little stucco patching compound.
Shrinkage Cracks
Shrinkage cracks can happen naturally during the curing process as the concrete is losing its moisture.
How Serious Is A Stucco Cracks And When to Worry?
It doesn’t matter if your house is new or old; any cracks could lead to damage that costs thousands of dollars to repair. They could also cause damage that leads to more problems in the future, such as water damage or mold growth because moisture is seeping into the walls.
Consult With An Experienced Lawyer
Wondering about stucco cracks and when to worry is something we can do for you. We have helped hundreds of homeowners recover damages due to construction defects. A Stucco lawyer can help you navigate the tricky legal waters that surround stucco cracks and when to worry. We also have the specialized knowledge to find out what caused the damage in the first place. Finally, we will ensure you are compensated for any wrongs and stay on top of any evidence or witnesses to complete the job quickly and smoothly.
How do I Stop my Stucco From Cracking?
While there is no surefire way to prevent stucco cracks from forming, there are steps you can take to mitigate the effects of these cracks. The following two tips provide you with some quick and easy solutions for how to stop your stucco from cracking.
Watch Your Moisture Levels
Problems with moisture are the most common cause of stucco cracks, so it’s easy to see why this tip tops the list quickly. What’s more, your home is probably unable to soak up the water, instead causing leaks and damage to your exterior. To stop your stucco from cracking, you must find the leak or ensure that the moisture problem is fixed.
Seal Up Your Exterior Studs
This tip is a must if you have a stucco house in Florida. There are many reasons why stucco studs crack from underneath, including water damage, erosion, and insect activity. The first step in stopping these problems is to prevent unnecessary water access through the exterior walls and seal off all the cracks around windows, doors, and other openings. Then, you must ensure that the studs are properly sealed up. There are several ways you can seal up your exterior studs and avoid problems with stucco cracks.
You can use several stucco repair methods to eliminate any existing problems with your existing stucco and prevent future cracks from forming. Of course, if you have found stucco cracks in your walls already, then the best solution for you will depend on the severity of this problem.
Is it Common for Stucco to Crack?
Like with all building materials, stucco will start to crack if it’s not installed correctly or if it experiences enough wear and tear over a long period. While most of the cracks you see in any stucco home are cosmetic, they can also be very problematic in some cases. For instance, hairline cracks lead to more significant problems over time and may require more extensive repairs. If the damage is severe enough, you might need to remove all or part of your existing exterior wall and sheathing and start again from scratch.
Stucco produces a wide variety of cracks because there are different environments that this building material is exposed to daily. These include temperature and humidity fluctuations, natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, external factors like the wind, rain, or weeds, and miscellaneous issues that could cause your stucco to crack over time.
You don’t have to worry about stucco cracks in your home if you take the time to learn how these cracks form, what causes them, and how you can stop them from worsening. Stucco is a popular exterior wall option for homeowners, but it does need regular maintenance for this material.
Contact Wilson Reeder & Zudar Law
When your home is damaged because of poorly installed stucco, you might be able to get compensation through a stucco lawsuit. Contact our team today to learn more.