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Tag: stucco

Why the Stucco on Your House is Cracking

You are proud of your beautiful Main Line home, but recently, you may have noticed cracks in your stucco exterior. What is going on? This blog will help you understand the potential issues of common stucco cracking causes. So look no further; call us to receive your free estimate and no longer have to worry about your home.

Disregarding the exterior of your home can ultimately cause severe structural issues. What looks like a small crack can be a big deal because water gets behind the stucco and soaks into the wood materials. When that happens, the wood that supports your home rots away.
 

Common Causes of Stucco Cracks in the Main Line Area

Stucco is a popular exterior finish in the Main Line area, known for durability and aesthetic appeal. However, homeowners often encounter issues with cracking, which can detract from the beauty of their property and lead to more significant structural damage if left unchecked. Understanding the common stucco cracking causes is essential for effective maintenance and prevention.

  • Climate and Weather Patterns: Cold winters and humid summers cause thermal expansion and contraction, which stress stucco. In freeze-thaw cycles, moisture can enter the stucco, freeze, expand, and lead to cracking.
  • Improper Installation: Many older homes in the area were built with stucco that was not applied with the proper backing or drainage systems, leading to moisture retention and cracking.
  • Shifting Soil and Foundation Settling: Due to the historic nature of some Main Line homes and varying soil conditions, gradual settling can put pressure on stucco, causing cracks to form.
  • Water Intrusion and Poor Drainage: Improper drainage or clogged gutters allow water to seep behind stucco, leading to mold, mildew, and cracking.

The Risks of Ignoring Cracked Stucco

  • Escalating Damage: Cracks in stucco are more than just cosmetic issues; these cracks can widen over time, allowing water to penetrate and cause deeper problems.
  • Mold and Rot: When water gets trapped in wood, the wood swells. The first thing that happens is bulging out of the home’s stucco, leading to cracking due to the expansion.
  • Energy Efficiency Loss: Cracked stucco can impact insulation, causing drafts and increasing heating and cooling costs, which is especially significant for large, energy-hungry homes in the region.
  • Decreased Home Value: Buyers in the Main Line area typically look for well-maintained, high-quality homes, and visible stucco issues can reduce a home’s appeal and market value.

When to Consider Replacing Stucco with Siding

Larger cracks or noticeable bulging in stucco may indicate an underlying problem. If you begin to see cracks or bulging, contact a certified stucco inspector to evaluate your home thoroughly.

Additionally, persistent moisture issues that continue despite repairs should be addressed.

Consider the stucco age as well; homes over 20-30 years old may require a more modern, durable solution.

Stucco Replacement West Chester PA | stucco cracking causes | Kenny Construction

Advantages of Siding for Main Line Homes

  • Durability and Low Maintenance: Modern siding materials, like fiber cement or high-end vinyl, offer superior resistance to weather and moisture.
  • Better Insulation and Energy Efficiency: Siding options have added insulation that can improve energy efficiency.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: Siding can provide a fresh, updated look while maintaining the elegant character of a Main Line home.

Why Kenny Construction Group is the Right Partner

Kenny Construction specializes in high-end restorations, and with that, your new stucco can have an antique rustic or modern look. Many homeowners in the mainline have been looking to create a modern home look recently and are looking to install fiber cement siding or high-end vinyl siding to prevent more stucco issues. 

When you have stucco issues, we at Kenny Construction Group recommend having a qualified stucco inspector perform a thorough inspection to ensure every issue is addressed.

Kenny Construction Group’s employees are stucco remediation specialists and take great pride in the process. Whether we are installing siding or stucco, every job gets our full attention until completion. 

From the start, we establish a plan with the homeowners on what areas need to be remediated and keep open communication so our customers know what is happening throughout the process. 

We at Kenny Construction Group have done countless projects in the Mainline, making the new stucco look aged to maintain the home’s old-school look.

Take Action to Protect Your Home

Our employees at Kenny Construction Group are stucco remediation specialists who pride themselves on providing top-quality work to ensure every client is happy! When you work with us on a project, we will assess the stucco issues and create a plan to resolve them so you no longer have to live with cracking stucco that leads to many other issues.

Stucco cracking causes may seem like a small issue, but acting swiftly to protect your home and preserve your property value is crucial. Contact Kenny Construction Group for quality work, expertise, and peace of mind.


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5 Signs Your Home Needs Stucco Replacement Sooner Rather Than Later

As a building material, stucco is tough and a great product when installed correctly. However, stucco has gotten a bad reputation among many homeowners because of improper installation. The installation process is crucial because improper installation can lead to problems for a home down the road. These problems indicate that the stucco needs replacing. This article will explore the key signs your home needs stucco replacement.

1. Cracking and Fragmentation

Stucco cracks can vary in size, shape, and severity. Here are some common types:

  • Hairline Cracks: These are thin, barely noticeable cracks that resemble hair.
  • Spiderweb Cracks: These cracks form a web-like pattern, often radiating from a central point.
  • Structural Cracks: These cracks are typically broader and deeper, often showing signs of displacement.
  • Alligator Cracks: These cracks form a pattern resembling alligator skin, with many small, interconnected cracks.
  • Efflorescence Cracks: These cracks are often accompanied by white, powdery deposits (efflorescence).

Certain cracks may not look harmful to your home, but water can get right behind the stucco if the cracks are deep enough into the house.

If you do not address large cracks in the stucco when you notice them, severe moisture damage becomes a problem. When water gets through the stucco because of cracking, the wood absorbs the water, then swells, making the stucco bulge, and everything behind the stucco starts to rot out.

Photo of house before and after stucco replacement | Signs your home needs stucco replacement | Kenny Construction

2. Staining and Discoloration

Stains on your drywall may be a bigger problem than you think. When you see stains on the drywall, typically, those stains are not caused by issues inside the home. Water intrusion from the home’s exterior usually causes stains and discolored drywall. Once you see stained drywall, call a professional as soon as possible because water has already gone through all the wood materials. Now, water is absorbed into the drywall and is becoming mold, a health risk for everyone in the home.

Water damage can be a massive issue, especially once the water starts rotting out the main supports of your home. You will notice some sagging in your floors when your supports start rotting away. Once that happens, the solution is to jack the floors up and install new support beams to ensure your home is as safe as possible.

If you notice your floors sagging, there is a structural issue. We highly recommend calling a professional home inspector to address the root of the problem.

3. Bulging, Warping, or Bubbling

Another one of the signs your home needs stucco replacement is bulging, warping, or bubbling walls. When water starts getting behind the stucco and absorbed by the wood materials, the wall will bulge out. Wall bulging is a structural problem with the home, specifically the beams, which is hazardous for everyone living there. Houses rely on these beams to support their weight, so a house starts losing its structure when the beams rot out.

When you start noticing bulging, warping, or bubbling, please call a certified stucco inspector and have them perform a moisture test to determine the extent of the water damage.

4. Mold or Mildew Presence

Moisture penetration left unattended will eventually turn into mold, despite the multiple layers the moisture has to go through. Once the water starts penetrating the house, the wood materials and beams start rotting. After enough moisture gets to the interior drywall, you notice the mold comes into play.

If left unaddressed, mold can compromise your immune system and lead to respiratory problems, exposing you to many short-term and long-term health hazards. Promptly address any moisture issues to prevent these risks to your health and home.

Photos of house, before and after stucco and siding replacement | Signs your home needs stucco replacement | Kenny Construction

5. Stucco Deterioration Around Windows and Doors

Improperly installed flashing will result in more stucco issues than you previously had. The flashings in place help divert water and prevent water from seeping into a home. So obviously, when someone installs them wrong or does not install them at all, the water that was supposed to be diverted is now dumped into the walls of your home.

A fundamental way to ensure a contractor correctly installs stucco on your home is to have a third-party stucco inspector oversee the project. When you hire a third-party inspector, they will check every step of the remediation process.

What to Do If You Notice These Signs

If you notice any signs of water damage, we highly recommend calling a certified stucco inspector to identify the areas that need immediate attention. When replacing stucco, work with a qualified, experienced professional because improperly installed stucco will result in the same problem as before.

Call Kenny Construction for Stucco Replacement & Water Damage Repairs

Water damage can be very harmful because it turns into mold and rotted wood. When you see the first signs your home needs stucco replacement, call a professional immediately to get ahead of the problem and minimize the damage that needs replacing. Call us at Kenny Construction Group to receive your free estimate!

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