stucco application over ext lap siding
What’s the skinny on stucco application over exterior siding? I’ve got a residential customer looking at purchase of a remodeled home (not ours work!) where the contractor installed wire lath and stucco directly over the existing siding w/out rainscreen, etc…. He stated that he thought the siding might contain asbestos, and so wanted to incapsulate the siding…
Is the absence of any membrane between these materials likely to promote/allow moisture infiltration and subsequent related damages/issues?
Thanks!
Larry
Replies
Are you saying that there is no felt/tar paper under the wire lath? If so, the stucco was not done correctly. Might be ok in a dry climate but I think that I would pass on it.
thanks, that's the advice I gave them after doing a bit more research on the web. Seems like the remodeler didn't really do his homework - looks cool, very southwestern, but we have enough humidity and rainfall to scare me away. Thanks again for your response.
Larry Evans
LK Remodeling
Lexington, KY
Over the asbestos it might actually work, since the asbestos doesn't absorb moisture very well. And probably a lot better than farther north where winter moisture driven from the inside would condense and accumulate.But all such setups are suspect at best.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
I don't think I've ever seen it done where water didn't leak in and cause extensive rot, and that's with felt under the stucco.