Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 04:12pm | #1

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   Hi Terry,

   See if you have a local Mapei representative in your area and they have a couple of concrete masonry products that might just fill the bill.

   I think it's called colorflex, not sure, but it's a flexible coating that does an excellent job covering up small cracks in masonry applications so it may be approved for stucco. It doesn't hurt to call and ask.

   Gabe

2. 
   Brewskie | May 01, 1999 04:37pm | #2

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   Once you have the stucco sand blasted you don't need to worry too much about new stucco adhering to it. Stucco is part Portland Cement, after all.(if it is not pre-1900's or so)

   It may be a good idea to use some Acrylic admixture when you mix the stucco. And maybe, just to be sure, give the wall a coat too.

   This method is known in the trade as "re-scrub" and really the very best method to use.

   As for the cracks you need to decide what type of cracks you have. Can you describe the cracks in detail?

   It's great to see that you are going about this the right way by rescrubing. All too often there are people painting elastomerics over their homes causing all sorts of problems.

   I mean no disrespect to Gabe, but elastomeric coatings for stucco are a very bad idea. This stuff will seal the heck out of stucco. I am wrapping up an 1830s stucco job that had this stuff on it. All the wood (hand rails, etc) going into these columns has rotted out because of the elastomeric coatings that someone had applied. Elastomeric coatings may be a good idea for foundations, but not for stucco.

   Brian Ewing

   http://www.ornamentalplaster.com

3. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 05:14pm | #3

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   Hi Brian,

   Does that include the Mapei products? I recoated a chimney with one of their products, it's been a couple of years and still looks great. This application was in extreme maritime weather with very high humidity.

   Thanks for the comments.

   Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 05:26pm | #4

   *Hi again Brian,Went into the stock room and found a container of Elastocolor and it is a single component elastomeric coating. Is there still a danger of long term damage by having used it on the chimney? In the eastern Canadian maritimes, they don't use stucco that much because of the humidity problems.In this special application, would sealing still be a bad thing?Gabe

4. 
   Brewskie | May 02, 1999 07:29pm | #5

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   Gabe,

   I would guess that the same would hold true for any manufacturer of elastomeric coatings.

   It's really the idea behind it. Similar to E.I.F.S. systems these coatings can and will trap moisture behind it. If you are in a high humidity area the problem will be compounded.

   Coastal conditions are bad for any material if you think about it also. The salts in the air can ruin anything. But, if properly installed, stucco can hold its own against any material. The key to doing it is the underlayment. If you install at least three layers of #15 felt before installing the lath you can be fairly sure that moisture can't get to the wall studs. This goes for high humidity climate also.

   If the salts are pretty high they can eat the heck out of Portland Cement stucco. But this holds true for anything in a high alkalin climate. Although I've heard tell that high alkalin climates will preserve wood but it sounds kind of like a joke to me....but there might be something there....lol

   When stuccoing a chimney I would be sure that the moisture would have a way to weep out. And I would be sure that water can't get through the top. The best way to stucco a chimney is to install a metal, galvanised I guess, cap over the top. I think this is the best way to ensure that moisture can't seep behind the stucco, causing failure.

   All in all I would say that sealing is can be the first step in causing moisture problems with stucco. Because, if you think about it, once moisture gets in (and it will) it must be able to escape.

   Brian Ewing

   http://www.ornamentalplaster.com

5. 
   terry_c_lynn | May 02, 1999 07:57pm | #6

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   I am currently water blasting the old paint off the stucco of my house. Does anyone have any tips on repairing the hairline cracks, and applying new color coat

6. 
   Guest_ | May 02, 1999 07:57pm | #7

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   Thanks for the Info Brian.

   We always use a stainless steel cap over our chimney designs regardless of the cover material. So we should be okay regarding water entering the top.

   Here in this part of Ontario, we are only getting back into stucco type finishes. The trades men we used to depend on have either gone west to areas where stucco is prelevent or have simply gone to other interest.

   When I did a contract to redo the Senate and Speakers entrances at the Parliament buildings, we had an awful time trying to find good plasterers to do the detailed work.

   But things are getting better now.

   Thanks again,

   Gabe