How to Patch Stucco on a House
Hairline cracks in stucco are usually harmless and the repair often looks worse than the blemish. While it is wise to ignore hairline cracks, larger cracks and loose stucco must be repaired immediately to avoid further damage from birds, insects and water. Patching stucco is not an extremely difficult job for the do-it-yourself homeowner, but it does take time and practice. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Work gloves and safety goggles
- Mason's chisel and hammer
- Shop vacuum
- Wire brush
- Garden hose
- Premixed stucco
- Steel trowel
- Mister
- Wheelbarrow
- Lumber
- Sponge float
- Masonry cement, sand, water
- Dry pigments and brush
- Handled stiff brush
Instructions
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Repairing a Stucco Wall
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1
Chip out loose stucco with a chisel. Vacuum out any loose debris. Dampen the area with a garden hose to prepare it for the scratch coat.
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2
Apply the premixed stucco with a steel trowel. Press the mix into the wire lath base and to within 1/2 inch of the surface of the wall.
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3
Let it set for 30 minutes, then scratch the surface with the edge of the trowel to a depth of 1/8 inch. Allow the scratch coat to fully set for 24 hours, spraying it with a mister every six hours.
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4
Apply the next coat, called a brown coat, with the trowel. Level the coat with the straight edge of a piece of lumber, sliding the board back and forth and upward across the patch. Smooth the area with a sponge float. Protect the patch from direct sun, and spray it with a mister every six hours for two days.
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5
Mix 2.5 parts masonry cement, 3.5 parts sand, and enough water in a wheelbarrow to make a soft, creamy texture for the final coat of stucco. Match the color by tinting the mixture with dry pigments.
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6
Dampen the surface and brush on the stucco to about 1/8 inch thick.
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7
Texture the new patch to match the old stucco. Flick stucco mix from a stiff brush onto the wall. Pass the trowel over the patch to smooth out any peaks.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When matching stucco color, allow a test sample to dry fully before evaluating it. As colors dry, they can fade up to 70 percent.
Use acrylic latex or paint especially formulated for stucco if giving a paint job to the area. Wait four weeks after patching to paint.
