Repair cracks in plaster or stucco walls
Hello ladies and gents, in this how-to-fix cracks video.
I wanted to point out a fact of “Thermal expansion.”
That’s a mighty big word; it simply means expansion and constriction.
If I just filled this large crack with stucco, it would have lasted about two to possibly three years or less before it cracked, again due to expansions of the home. This is normal.
So, my years of experience has taught me first fix the crack so that it last 10 to 15 years, that takes the prep work I show in this video,
Then apply the cement stucco, which is only for cosmetic reasons, as it adds absolutely no strength to this crack; its sole purpose is to match the textured sand finish on the existing home.
Is there a way to make certain this fix lasts forever? No.
Like all things in life, including our health, it takes maintenance. That may sound negative; however, it’s a fact.
On the flip side, the positive about fixing cracks in stucco finishes or walls is that it’s quick and easy, where if you never fix them, the rainwater will damage the substrate and possibly the studs.
You may have to tear all the stucco off, repair any damaged wood, so caulk those cracks in certain locations, as in chimney to wall areas, your existing home to new additions built, and under windows so that the rainwater is diverted.
Keep in mind, if a house is a pressure washing with a gas-powered pressure washer, they put out about, as a rule, 3,500 PSI, a fifty dollars turbo tip will create more power.
This sort of micro scorers or etches the panted surface of any and all painted stucco surfaces.
The idea is to remove all the dust, dirt, and grime or moss; the etching is a bonus; as nothing adheres to a dirty or dusty surface.
What will you find if done properly? Lots of cracks that the paint has flooded and or concealed for the protection of the wall.
Also, the next day, you will notice that about 1 to 5 percent of the painted edges are pealing.
This is normal.
The water with pressure loosened this leftover paint. You simply take a putty knife and scrap this loose stuff off the next day when dry.
Now, if your painting, you apply your Primer than Paint.
If applying a new stucco finish, one would apply a bonding agent then apply the new stucco finish.
Lastly, you can use an electric-powered pressure washer with half the power or gas if your paint is amazing and well maintained.
CAULKING Expansion and Contraction
Most realize It’s never good practice to apply the caulk in very cold or hot weather.
We usually caulk in the morning before the sun has a chance to heat the stucco wall,
On the technical side, the size of the joint being sealed will be at either its widest (when cold contracts the substrates)
If a sealant is applied at either extreme, the size of the joint being sealed will be at either its widest (when cold contracts the substrates) or at its narrowest (when heat expands the substrates). Thus, if the sealant is applied at either temperature (and joint-width) extreme, it will undergo the greatest possible stress over time as the temperature travels to the opposite extreme.
By applying caulk to a joint in the middle of the typical temperature range expected for your area, you will minimize the overall stress applied to the caulk due to thermal changes.
Here is another video that explains and important reasons for caulking https://youtu.be/2eIkdeIBbMs/Structural large cracking on stucco walls, no problemo
With the majority of our videos, the title is the tip of the iceberg; the content of the videos hopefully explains what one wants to understand the meaning of.
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