Stucco repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What stucco repair is

Stucco repair patches cracks, holes and damaged areas by cleaning, filling and re-coating to match the texture and color, and it fixes the cause of any moisture or movement behind the wall. People call after hairline cracks grow, when a chunk falls off, or when water shows up inside a wall that has stucco.

Signs you need it

  • Hairline cracks that widen, run diagonally from window corners, or open into a gap
  • Hollow or drummy stucco that sounds different when tapped, which means the bond has failed
  • Chunks missing near the ground, which can come from splash, impact or freeze and thaw
  • Brown or dark stains running down from a crack, a window or a roof edge, which point to water
  • A faded or differently textured patch where an earlier repair did not match the wall

What the pro does

  • Tap the wall to map the hollow and loose areas, and mark the edges of the damage that has to be cut out
  • Cut back loose and hollow stucco to sound material, and check the lath and barrier behind it for rust, rot or tears
  • Repair the moisture source, such as failed flashing, a window seal or a gutter that runs down the wall
  • Apply a bonding agent and patch in layers, scoring each coat so the next one bonds, and let each layer cure
  • Match the texture and color with the final coat, then seal or paint the patch so it blends with the rest of the wall

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size and number of cracks or holes, and the total area of the patch
  • Whether the cracks are surface cracks or signs of structural movement
  • Lath or barrier damage found under the stucco that needs repair
  • The moisture source that must be fixed first, such as flashing or a leaking window
  • Color and texture match needed, including older finishes that are hard to match
  • Height and access for scaffolding or a lift
  • Whether the wall needs repainting or sealing after the patch

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each damaged area listed by location, with the size noted from the photos
  • The cut-back method, and whether lath or barrier repairs are included
  • Moisture source found and the fix for it, shown as a separate line
  • Patch materials and the bonding agent named
  • Texture and color match method, and whether a test patch is done first
  • Sealing or painting of the repaired area, with the coats listed

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Have you found what is causing the crack, or are you patching the surface only?
  • Will you test for moisture behind the wall, and how will you show me the results?
  • Can you match the texture and color of my existing stucco, and will you show a test patch first?
  • What do you do if the lath or barrier behind the damage is rusted or torn?
  • How do you cut back the damage so the new patch bonds to sound material?
  • Will the repaired area be sealed or painted to match the wall?
  • Who is on the scaffold or ladder, and how is the access secured?

Red flags

  • A patch applied over a crack with no check of the moisture source behind it
  • Caulk or a thin skim coat used over hollow stucco that should be cut back
  • No test patch offered for a color or texture match on a visible wall
  • Patching done in wet or freezing weather with no curing plan
  • A quote for full stucco replacement with no photos or explanation of the damage

What you can do yourself

You can safely walk the wall from the ground, mark cracks with a pencil, and photograph them with a ruler in the frame to show a pro. Do not climb a ladder to patch high areas, and do not cut into hollow stucco without knowing what is behind it. Call a pro for cracks that are growing, hollow areas, water inside the wall, or any damage that needs scaffolding.

Licenses and permits

Stucco repair is commonly done by licensed plastering, masonry or general contractors, and repairs to framing, flashing or the weather barrier may need a permit. Check with your state and local licensing and building offices.

Stucco repair questions

Can a stucco crack be patched once and stay fixed?

Often, if the cause is found and fixed. Cracks that return usually come from movement in the framing or water getting behind the stucco, so a surface patch alone will not hold.

Do all cracks in stucco need repair?

Hairline cracks may need only sealing. Cracks that widen, let in water or run through the full thickness of the wall need repair. A pro can tell which ones matter.

Will the patch match the old stucco?

A close match is possible with a test patch and a careful final coat. Older stucco can be hard to match exactly, so ask for a sample before the full repair.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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