Paint a better fix for failing foundation stucco

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QUESTION: My neighbours recently had their home re-stuccoed, but the stucco at the base of the house is breaking away. They've already moved the dirt away and stopped planting in that area of the garden. Can they repair this without redoing the whole house?

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/09/2006 (7140 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

QUESTION: My neighbours recently had their home re-stuccoed, but the stucco at the base of the house is breaking away. They’ve already moved the dirt away and stopped planting in that area of the garden. Can they repair this without redoing the whole house?

— Ann, San Diego, Calif.

ANSWER: A stucco problem at the foundation is usually pretty easy to fix. First, use a pressure washer to break off all the loose plaster and minerals at the foundation. Next, apply a bonding agent (special glue). To finish, simply trowel on a latex stucco patch to fill the voids.

Because there will always be a problem caused by water on the ground wicking up to the foundation and pushing away the stucco, you might want to consider painting the area instead. Paint will breathe where the stucco won’t, and for that reason it usually lasts much longer.

Here’s what to do: Scrape off all the stucco and use a belt sander to smooth and clean the concrete. Finally, apply a coat of paint coloured to match the stucco. This will be unnoticeable to most people. Actually, most builders prefer painting the foundation because of the problem you have described.

–Associated Press

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