Stucco Repair vs. Remediation: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to siding materials, some homeowners find themselves surprised when they find out that they actually have a wide range of siding options for their homes. After all, you are more than free to choose among materials such as vinyl, fiber cement or even brick if you want a more natural look. But while these are all good materials to consider, there is another siding material that one should never overlook: stucco.

According to siding contractors, stucco has been used in home construction for over 150 years and is actually an option that’s far more affordable than brick. Apart from that, their installation process is also much easier while remaining energy-efficient at the same time. However, stucco does come with its own set of drawbacks; mainly, it can crack over time as your home expands and contracts. Once this happens, there are only two courses of action that you can take: have it repaired or remediated. But what exactly is it that sets the two apart from one another?

The stucco remediation experts of Precision #1 Contractors Inc. discusses the difference between stucco repair and remediation below:

Stucco Repair

According to experts, having your stucco repaired is a solution that is quick and affordable as it doesn’t require extensive work to be completed. This is because a stucco repair is merely the practice of finding the specific instances of damage, fixing said problems and then replacing the damaged area with more stucco. This means that while the damage was fixed, the underlying problem hasn’t actually been solved, which may result in you missing water damage in some areas of your home where the stucco wasn’t removed or checked. In essence, a stucco repair is a temporary fix that may not be able to solve the problem long-term.

With that in mind, siding and roofing contractors say that you should only have your stucco repaired if there’s no mold or moisture present, the damage sustained was merely surface level, or if your stucco is relatively new. However, just to be certain, don’t hesitate to ask a siding professional to thoroughly inspect your stucco siding to see if there’s an underlying cause to the damage your siding sustained.

Stucco Remediation

On the other hand, stucco remediation is the act of completely tearing down your old stucco siding to fix the underlying defect that caused the damage it sustained in the first place and then replacing the old siding with modern materials. Compared to stucco repair, remediation is an extensive process and a permanent fix that can prevent additional issues in the future, especially if the root cause is moisture infiltration. While it may be a costly solution, it’s also a long-term investment that can help you protect your home from additional damage. According to siding experts, you should remediate a stucco siding if the material is old, crumbling, and is showing signs of mold and moisture infiltration.

For assistance in remediating your home’s stucco siding, simply turn to the siding pros of Precision #1 Contractors Inc. to get the job done.

Signs Your Stucco Siding Is Failing

As the homeowner, it’s your responsibility to take care of your stucco siding. As such, it’s in your best interest to learn what are the signs that say the material is beginning to fail. Luckily, experts say that these signs can be fairly obvious and easy to spot. For instance, if you begin to notice cracks on the siding, whether they’re large ones or hairline fractures, consider calling a professional to have it inspected immediately as this could be a sign of moisture issues within your stucco. Missing chips are also a sign that the siding is suffering from water damage.

Apart from cracks and chips within the siding, another sign that says your stucco siding is failing is staining. While it may be tempting to simply paint over these stains, keep in mind that doing so won’t solve the problem as the paint will not adhere properly because of the stains. With that in mind, you’ll need to get a professional to address the underlying problem first as this can be an indicator of a problem that’s far more severe such as mold or water damage. Alternatively, you may also need to clean the siding first if a siding professional reveals that your stucco siding isn’t suffering from water damage.

How to Ensure That Your Stucco Is Still in Good Condition

If your home has stucco siding, you might find it a bit intimidating to properly care for such material. Luckily, stucco remediation pros say that ensuring your stucco siding remains in good condition is fairly easy to accomplish. If you think that there might be hidden water damage behind your stucco walls, you can always first conduct a visual inspection of the worrisome areas on your own first. If you notice any black streaks in the windows and chimneys, take it as a sign that professional help is needed and contact a stucco expert immediately.

Alternatively, you may also schedule a professional inspection with a stucco remediation company regularly. That way, a trained expert can easily spot and root out whatever damage the siding material may have sustained and perform the necessary repairs or remediations immediately. However, keep in mind that a repair job is a temporary fix that may put your home at risk. As such, consider having remediation done instead. That way, it’s guaranteed that your stucco siding can properly protect your home for a long period of time.

Make your search for siding and roofing contractors easier by turning to Precision #1 Contractors Inc. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, we are one of the leading professionals to turn to when it comes to siding replacement and repair projects and you can count on us! Want to make the switch to fiber cement siding? We have you covered! We are dedicated to giving homeowners nothing but the best when it comes to products and services. Give us a call at (215) 364-5115 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us and schedule a consultation today!