The Complete Guide to Stucco Remediation – What You Should Know

Repair vs. Remediation

When you start looking into getting work done on your stucco, you’ll typically see two types of services being offered: repair and remediation. The difference between the two is important when considering what is needed in your case.

When it comes to stucco repair, the process involves targeting specific areas of concern, replacing damaged spots with fresh stucco, and conducting simple repairs including resealing cracks and tears.

While stucco repair doesn’t always get to the root of the issue, it is good practice to do so as part of regular home maintenance. The upfront cost of simple stucco repairs is typically much lower than remediation because it only involves treating specific areas and less labor.

Remediation, on the other hand, is an incredibly thorough and extensive process that aims to completely repair and replace your stucco so that all underlying issues that wouldn’t be visible from the exterior are fixed.

This type of work requires highly skilled workers to ensure the job is completed correctly.

Stucco remediation does cost more money due to increased time and labor. but in some cases, it is worth paying more to have the stucco replaced so you don’t have to continuously pay for small repairs that don’t entirely fix the core problems with your stucco.

Why Remediation?

If you are looking for a long-term solution to stucco damage, remediation is the best option. If the damage to your stucco is widespread and unable to be patched up with a quick repair, then remediation is the only solution that will provide you with a long-term solution.

With remediation, you can have peace of mind knowing people with extensive knowledge of stucco are taking all of the proper steps to restore and replace your stucco in a way that provides renewed structural integrity to your home.

By choosing remediation when appropriate, you are prioritizing the safety of your home and protecting those that live in it.

The Remediation Process

Before making any big decisions, it’s good to understand the process of stucco remediation so that you know what to expect.

The first step in the stucco remediation process is having an expert assess your home by doing a complete inspection and then run moisture tests on the exterior of your home. In this assessment, several areas will be inspected, including the roof and gutters, vents, exhaust pipes, windows, and doors. This will allow them to evaluate the extent of the damage and which areas of the house are being affected.

If remediation is deemed as the best course of action for your stucco, then the next step is to remove the damaged sheathing, framing, and insulation that is water-damaged and moldy. This will all be replaced and reinstalled.

Essentially, you are stripping your walls down to its innermost layer and rebuilding it with new materials. It is a lengthy process that, when done correctly by skilled specialists, is guaranteed to fix all underlying problems with your stucco, no matter how big.

In some cases, if it is determined that remediation is necessary, the entire stucco system needs to be replaced and not just large portions throughout your home’s exterior.

Is Remediation Right for Me?

If it has been determined by an expert that remediation is necessary to maintain the integrity of your home, it is highly recommended that you heed their advice. While it may be hard to justify the cost of remediation for budgetary or financial reasons, in many cases it is your only option to ensure that your home does not suffer from lasting damage.

Time can also be a factor that impacts your stucco. Stucco doesn’t last forever and as time goes on, the higher the risk of your stucco being damaged. If your home is older and you haven’t had your stucco inspected, it would be a smart idea to have annual evaluations in order to determine if and when remediation is necessary.

It is unfortunate when costly damage occurs in your home, especially when it was not your fault, but sometimes the best option can cost more. If your home needs remediation and you settle for several smaller repairs to patch up surface-level problems, you might save money short-term, but down the line, it could end up costing you more in extra repairs and untreated damage.

Just because the damage to your stucco appears minor, does not mean that it can be ignored or mitigated with small repair jobs. Treat stucco repair as regular maintenance and stucco remediation as a way to effectively deal with extensive damage that has been determined by an expert.

For all of your stucco needs, whether it be patching up a small crack or replacing an entire section of your stucco, E&E Contracting has the experience and know-how to tackle any project. Contact us today to request an estimate or get more information about our services.