The outside of a home is what we call the siding or cladding. From vinyl siding to timber or brick, homes and buildings use a wide variety of materials for their exterior.
Stucco is a material used for its durability, appearance, and application. A cement-type mixture made of cement, lime, water, and sand, stucco was at one time solely an architectural feature of residential and commercial buildings in Spain. Stucco is now popular across the United States because of its stylish look, as well as for being fire, mold, and termite resistant.
Capable of complementing a wide variety of climates, stucco is so resilient that it can be expected to last for decades to come if taken care of properly. Stucco does require maintenance to keep it in good condition as it can shift with soil and land, and possibly bow or warp over time.
One way to regularly maintain your stucco is to paint it! However, you’ll want to use a primer or sealer before doing so, and ensure you adequately prepare your stucco beforehand.
For one, painting your stucco helps your home’s overall appearance. But doing so provides practical benefits as well.
Stucco is a very porous material. This means that when it becomes wet, stucco can be more prone to water damage. Though it may take several years for moisture to impact your stucco, eventually, the material can crack and moisture can penetrate the inside of your home.
However, painting your stucco will help seal it against moisture and keep it from staining and eventually cracking.
If your stucco has hairline cracks, these damages will only grow. But using thick, high-quality paint will help seal any cracks in your exterior. However, you should fill in larger cracks with caulk or masonry patching before painting.
Painting your stucco can help deflect incoming UV rays. In a warm, sunny area like Southern Florida, UV rays can place wear on your stucco and make it more prone to cracks and fading.
Yes, you can paint your stucco yourself. But depending on the size of your home, how much time you have for the project, and your experience with painting stucco, it may be a good idea to enlist the help of professionals.
Before you begin painting your stucco, you should take extra precautions to make sure you have everything prepared. If your stucco is new, it’s best to wait at least 60 days for the stucco to settle and dry before painting. On the other hand, if your stucco is older, it’s a good idea to caulk any cracks before starting.
Additionally, if your stucco is particularly dirty, you should power wash the stucco before applying paint. However, you’ll want to keep your power washer under 1,500 PSI to ensure you don’t accidentally damage the stucco itself. Since stucco surfaces are delicate, higher pressure can cause damage.
Once you caulk any hairline cracks and power wash, allow for the stucco to completely dry before applying a primer or sealer.
Primer and sealer help prevent stucco from drawing in moisture from coats of paint. Primer also keeps moisture from discoloring the coat of paint. Additionally, primers and sealers provide better adhesion, which ensures the paint you apply will last on the stucco’s surface.
While it will take extra work than just applying one coat of paint, using a primer or sealer allows you to get the best results from the paint you do apply. And even helps retain your stucco’s integrity.
If you’re ready to have your stucco painted by professionals, contact us today for a free consultation.
