Stucco – horizontal or diagonal surface cracking

Cause

No movement control joints or poorly located movement control joints installed

Repair

  • monitor cracking for one month
    • cracks less than 1 mm wide that are not getting wider may be able to be covered with a high-build acrylic coating – check paint specification to determine crack bridging ability
    • for cracks over 1 mm, or cracks that are getting wider, obtain specialist or replacement advice
  • 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

No additional reinforcing at corners of openings

Repair

  • monitor cracking for one month
    • cracks less than 1 mm wide that are not getting wider may be able to be covered with a high-build acrylic coating – check paint specification to determine crack bridging ability
    • for cracks over 1 mm, or cracks that are getting wider, obtain specialist or replacement advice
  • 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

Poor application of texture coating

Repair

  • monitor cracking for one month:
    • cracks less than 1 mm wide that are not getting wider may be able to be covered with a high-build acrylic coating – check paint specification to determine crack bridging ability
    • for cracks over 1 mm, or cracks that are getting wider, obtain specialist or replacement advice
  • 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

Insufficient or a too large separation between reinforcing and backing

Repair

  • monitor cracking for one month:
    • cracks less than 1 mm wide that are not getting wider may be able to be covered with a high-build acrylic coating – check paint specification to determine crack bridging ability
    • for cracks over 1 mm, or cracks that are getting wider, obtain specialist or replacement advice
  • 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 movement or settlement

Repair

  • monitor cracking for one month:
    • cracks less than 1 mm wide that are not getting wider may be able to be covered with a high-build acrylic coating – check paint specification to determine crack bridging ability
    • for cracks over 1 mm, or cracks that are getting wider, obtain specialist or replacement advice
  • check building after an earthquake for any new cracks, treat cracks as above
  • 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

Framing shrinkage

Repair

  • monitor cracking for one month:
    • cracks less than 1 mm wide that are not getting wider may be able to be covered with a high-build acrylic coating – check paint specification to determine crack bridging ability
    • for cracks over 1 mm, or cracks that are getting wider, obtain specialist or replacement advice
  • 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

  • monitor cracking for one month:
    • cracks less than 1 mm wide that are not getting wider may be able to be covered with a high-build acrylic coating – check paint specification to determine crack bridging ability
    • for cracks over 1 mm, or cracks that are getting wider, obtain specialist or replacement advice
  • check building after an earthquake for any new cracks, treat cracks as above
  • 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.