According to siding installers, homeowners such as yourself have a wide range of options when it comes to siding materials. After all, you can choose between materials such as vinyl, fiber cement and even wood if you’re feeling brave. While all of these are good siding materials to consider, siding professionals say that there is one that you should never forget about: stucco.
While they may not seem like it, stucco siding is actually a good siding to consider if you want to make your home more energy-efficient and improve its aesthetic appeal. However, like any siding material, time can eventually wear at your stucco siding and cause it to fail. Unfortunately, some homeowners have a difficult time telling if their stucco siding is failing.
Here are the four signs that can telltale signs that your stucco siding is beginning to fail.
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Shrinking Caulking – One way you can identify damage to your stucco siding is by inspecting the trim around your doors and windows. While this may sound unrelated, if your stucco siding is failing, experts say that the caulking should show signs of shrinking and dry or its adhesion may begin to start wearing away. However, according to experts, this isn’t exactly a definitive sign of stucco failure so it’s best that you also get a professional to inspect your siding to properly determine if it’s damaged.
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Stucco Damage – When your stucco siding sustains any form of damage, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s failing, especially when the damage is something as minor as small dents. However, if your stucco begins to exhibit heavier signs of damage such as long, thin cracks, heavy staining, bulging, or parts of the siding is downright beginning to fall off, then it’s clear that your siding system is failing and should be repaired or replaced immediately. If you begin to notice these signs, be sure to call in a stucco remediation expert like Precision #1 Contractors Inc. to rectify the damages your siding sustained.
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Leaks – On the other hand, if you notice leaking or water stains around your home and a preliminary inspection says that your plumbing isn’t the problem, then this could be a red flag that says your stucco siding is damaged and there could be a leak coming from your home’s exterior. Once this happens, be sure to have a professional remedy the problem as soon as possible as the moisture that becomes trapped behind your siding can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew that can spread around your home and eventually become detrimental to you and your family’s health.
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Rotting – According to professionals, another stucco siding red flag that you need to look out for is rotting. To determine if your stucco siding is suffering from problems when it comes to rotting, be sure to check any fixtures that are attached to your stucco’s exterior such as windows, doors, electrical outlets, meter boxes, and even pipes. If you notice any dark spots or foul odors as you get closer, then it’s clear that your stucco siding is suffering from rot and is beginning to fail. Alternatively, if you have wood-framed chimneys that come into contact with the stucco, you can also check it for signs of rot by lightly knocking on it to see if it has a hollow or soft surface. If it does, this is evidence of rot as wood-framed chimneys aren’t usually compatible with stucco exteriors since the wood frame can potentially cause stucco failure.
Make your search for siding and roofing contractors easier by turning to Precision #1 Contractors Inc., the leading professionals to approach when it comes to siding remediation and roofing services. Give us a call at (215) 364-5115 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us today!