How to Repair a Stucco Corner

Sensitive areas of a stucco building may need more attention.

A home finished with stucco needs more care, attention and maintenance than others. Stucco finish usually only needs care every two years, but the extra vulnerable areas---corners and the areas around windows---may need care before then.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Chisel
• Stucco corner bullnose
• Staple gun and staples
• Gloves
• Stucco bonding agent
• Paintbrush
• Bucket
• Stucco finish layer in chosen color
• Rake and trowel

Instructions

How to repair a stucco corner

1. Assess the damage to the corner that needs fixing. The worse the flaking, chipping or cracking, the more stucco you will have to remove from the affected area. If you have a gaping hole and can see the stucco mesh beneath, you'll need to remove a lot of stucco and possibly add a stucco corner bullnose (also called a corner bead).

2. Remove the stucco around the corner carefully using the hammer and chisel. Placing the chisel at a sideways angle next to the crack will minimize trauma to the rest of the surface and reduce further damage. Be sure to remove all the stucco around the damage.

3. Set the bullnose into the corner with the staple gun. You may need more than one bullnose depending on the length of the damaged area. A stucco corner bullnose is basically a piece of stucco mesh formed into a corner shape to make application easier, since getting stucco mesh to fit close to corners yourself can be difficult.

4. Apply the stucco bonding agent with a paintbrush around the bullnose. Make sure to go well outside the affected area, so that the new finish added will blend well and adhere to the older surface. Allow to dry according to the label instructions.

5. Mix the finish with the necessary amount of water designated in the label instructions. These instructions are crucial---failure to follow them can make a finish that is too thin and will be useless.

6. Before applying the finish to the corner, you may wish to "practice" application on another surface to hone your technique of coating with an even thickness and matching texture. Remember that stucco takes a while to dry, so you have time to play with the texture more if it doesn't look right on the wall.

7. Apply the finish liberally in and around the corner with the rake and trowel, working from the top of the affected area to the bottom to ensure an even coat. Make sure that the coat you put on is well-blended with the older surface surrounding the corner, otherwise the new application can flake off when it dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you plan ahead, especially for weather. Stucco will not dry if it is really wet outside, so try to plan for a sunny day to do your repair project.

References

• "Builder's Guide to Stucco, Lath and Plaster"; Max Schwartz and Walter F. Pruter; 2007
• Taos Style Builders: stucco contractors: Taos, New Mexico