Stucco – coating failure
Listed under: Exterior, finishes, plaster and fibrous plaster, stucco, paint, earthquakes, cladding, walls, wind, moisture, leaks, wall cladding, stucco wall cladding
Cause
Lack of maintenance
Repair
- wire brush to scrape off all loose paint; ensure substrate is fully dry before re-coating:
- for acrylic paint system, leave for 1–2 weeks
- for high-build acrylic coating, leave for 4 weeks
- where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced building surveyor to report on the building
Cause
Paint at end of serviceable life
Repair
- wire brush to scrape off all loose paint; ensure substrate is fully dry before re-coating:
- for acrylic paint system, leave for 1–2 weeks
- for high-build acrylic coating, leave for 4 weeks
- where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced building surveyor to report on the building
Cause
Moisture levels in substrate too high when initially plastered
Repair
- wire brush to scrape off all loose paint; ensure substrate is fully dry before re-coating:
- for acrylic paint system, leave for 1–2 weeks
- for high-build acrylic coating, leave for 4 weeks
- where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced building surveyor to report on the building
- also see 'Stucco -- random hairline cracking'
Cause
Moisture getting into the plaster through hairline cracking
Repair
- see Random hairline cracking
- wire brush to scrape off all loose paint; ensure substrate is fully dry before re-coating:
- for acrylic paint system, leave for 1–2 weeks
- for high-build acrylic coating, leave for 4 weeks
- where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced building surveyor to report on the building
Cause
Paint unsuitable to be used with cement-based plaster
Repair
- wire brush to scrape off all loose paint; ensure substrate is fully dry before re-coating:
- for acrylic paint system, leave for 1–2 weeks
- for high-build acrylic coating, leave for 4 weeks
- where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced building surveyor to report on the building
Cause
Building subjected to vibration movement such as earthquake, high wind
Repair
- wire brush to scrape off all loose paint; ensure substrate is fully dry before re-coating:
- for acrylic paint system, leave for 1–2 weeks
- for high-build acrylic coating, leave for 4 weeks
- where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced building surveyor to report on the building
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