Stucco siding is a cemented siding material consisting of cement, water, sand, and lime. Applied in three successive coats over an original lath base, it gives a strong, durable, and consistent home exterior finish. Although Stucco has been used as a building material for centuries, the real reason it became so popular with homeowners is because of its aesthetic appeal. As a result, Stucco Tampa can be seen on many residential and commercial buildings around the country. Some of the most famous examples are the ubiquitous brick homes in older neighborhoods and the custom homes that many real estate developers construct. However, Stucco’s primary purpose is to provide waterproofing, mold, and mildew-resistant covering that’s easy to install and maintain.

Although Stucco has many benefits, there are some disadvantages as well. Most importantly, it can cause damage to the structure of the building it’s used on. Damage is caused by water seeping into cracks between the siding and the building’s surface, sometimes causing structural damage. In other cases, damage may occur when a small piece of the Stucco is inadvertently dropped or rolled on top of a smaller, more fragile part of building material. Unfortunately, these accidental falls or injuries are commonly caused by poorly trained employees who are not aware of the dangers of stucco repair.

Although stucco siding has several benefits to its users, one of the significant downsides of Stucco is its cost relative to other building materials. In most cases, this can mean the purchase of new Stucco instead of repair or refinishing. Unfortunately, this cost is often significantly higher than other siding choices. For these reasons, homeowners often select a stucco finish that is inferior to the original, often purchasing vinyl products that perform less than expected and often lack the durability of a properly maintained stucco product.

Another disadvantage of Stucco is that it can deteriorate over time without proper maintenance. As the cement begins to dry, cracks may appear. Cracks may become so wide that the cement itself begins to crumble. The weight of the rain, heat, and moisture can cause even worse damage, causing the siding to crumble completely. With this condition, if your home’s exterior insulation has been compromised, you may need to replace the damaged sections with new cement stucco.

Despite its disadvantages, many homeowners choose to use DIY stucco repair. Many feel that it’s a better option than purchasing new Stucco because it’s cheaper and more manageable. However, even with the lower labor cost, many do-it-yourself kits cannot handle more than small projects, such as patching up cracks or sealing minor damage. In addition, the material must be cut to size, which can make the finished project messy and time-consuming.

In addition to costing more than purchasing new Stucco, some homeowners don’t feel comfortable using this product because of its low durability. Although Stucco is highly durable and can withstand weather and heat, the product’s chemical makeup requires a lot of regular maintenance to maintain its strength and appearance. For example, regular cleaning can help remove lime build-up when the cement starts to dry out. If the condition isn’t addressed, the exterior layer will crack and chip.

In addition, there are health concerns involved because many types of stucco repair require the homeowner to use harsh chemicals, such as lime and muriatic acids. And some of these chemicals damage the respiratory system, especially the lungs. In addition, over-watering Stucco can lead to mold and mildew growth on your walls and ceilings, leading to even more significant problems down the line. The good news is that most major Stucco repair companies will perform repairs without harmful chemicals.

When it comes to repairing your home’s Stucco surface, you have many options. From patching up shallow cracks to sealing large gaping holes, you can quickly fix your home for less money than you would pay for an expensive stucco system to replace the entire exterior. Many homeowners also choose to let Stucco finish dry, which allows the material to fix the damage it has caused slowly. After the finish dries, you will discover a smooth, flat surface and no evidence of the damage.