For many homeowners, painting exterior stucco is a viable alternative. Cement, sand, and lime make up the majority of stucco. It is estimated to have a lifespan of 50-80 years, making it an excellent choice for anyone searching for a long-lasting finish.
Stucco is a long-lasting paint that is commonly used on homes in Toronto. It has a nice appearance and successfully protects your home from the elements. Stucco is a low-maintenance material that can fade over time, but don’t worry! It’s paintable and yields a nice result.
This blog entails top five reasons why it’s a smart idea to paint stucco. Stucco exteriors are particularly widespread in Toronto, and they make up a large amount of the exterior work we handle.
What You Need to Know About Stucco
As stucco is a masonry layer, it must enable water vapor to escape. It’s common for stucco to have a high pH once it’s been applied. The pH will drop during the curing phase, which might take anywhere from 30-90 days. It is recommended that you wait until the stucco has fully cured and the pH has reduced to between 6 and 9 before applying any form of coating. When waiting is not an option, a pH neutralizer or an alkali-resistant primer may be useful. Always double-check that the substance you’re about to use can be used on stucco.
You can only stucco over existing stucco if it hasn’t been painted. This is the least popular option among stucco exterior homeowners, owing to the process’s complexity, cost, and time commitment. The more quality- and cost-effective methods of giving your stucco a facelift include pressure washing and painting. Painting offers the most evident and long-term benefits of the two methods.
Therefore, if one of these three scenarios apply to you, you should paint your stucco:
- You want a unique-colored stucco
- Cost is a factor in your decision
- You’ve previously painted it and want to preserve its efficacy and beauty
Benefits of Stucco Done by Professionals
Stucco is a famous exterior treatment for homes since it is not high maintenance and may last for years if properly maintained. The following are some of the boons of employing expert painters to paint your stucco.
Repel Moisture for A Long Time
Water retention is common in stucco homes, which can lead to expensive water damage issues. Mold can taint the stucco surface if it is exposed to water for an extended period of time. New paint will not adhere to the surface, peeling or flaking will occur. Stucco will fade and discolor over time as a result of atmospheric soil and mildew. Only expert painting contractor can adhere to these facts.
Surface Preparation
Preparing the surface before painting helps the finish endure longer, just like it does with any other surface. To begin, if your stucco is new, give it 60 days to settle and dry before painting it. The surface will need to be pressure cleaned to remove dirt or chipped paint.
Crack repair is the most difficult component of prepping a stucco building for painting. To enhance the odds of correctly merging in with the surface of the surrounding stucco, it’s better to leave repairs to an expert.
Choosing the Right Paint and Applying It
Elastomeric paint that is much thicker than standard acrylic or latex paint, is ideal for stucco. The thicker paint is required to penetrate the stucco texture more effectively and to fill in minor cracks with greater flexibility. Elastomeric paints resist water—resulting in keeping mold and mildew at bay by preventing moisture entry.
No Extreme Cracks
Careful effort is required to keep stucco in good condition. Weather extremes, temperature variations, and soil shifts can cause the surface to crack, fracture, or chip. To prevent cracks from getting worse, they should be filled as soon as possible with masonry-compatible caulking.
Avoid Efflorescence
Salt deposits appear as a white stain on masonry surfaces such as stucco. Efflorescence is the term for this condition. As the evaporation process begins when water interacts with stucco, the salt deposits are pulled to the surface. These white stains are difficult to remove and will necessitate the services of a skilled painter.
How Often Should Stucco Be Painted?
While stucco is a long-lasting surface, it will need to be repainted from time to time — but not frequently. Stucco can endure over 20 years without peeling or blistering with proper application and high-quality paint, but its lifetime is also influenced by external variables.
Exterior stucco can fade, discolor, and develop hairline fractures over time. If deep cracks are discovered, it is preferable to contact a stucco repair firm to have the deep crack repaired and any moisture damage avoided.
It’s crucial to evaluate your stucco every couple of years to see if it needs to be repainted. It’s vital to apply fresh paint as soon as you notice paint peeling off stucco to prevent moisture or structural damage to masonry.
When Is the Ideal Time to Paint Stucco?
Apply exterior paint four to five weeks after the stucco has hardened and the moisture has disappeared. Use a brushed-on or sprayed-on latex concrete primer. The primer will cover all of the crevices if applied with a brush. After the primer has dried, use a spray machine or a roller brush to apply a top coat.
If you’re painting ancient stucco siding, you’ll probably need to employ a power washing service to get all of the surface dust and debris that has built up over time. A painting contractor will be able to complete the work or connect you to someone who can.
It’s Time to Get in Touch with Experienced Stucco Painters in Toronto
Painting your home’s stucco can provide a number of advantages, but only if the job is done correctly. Trusting your home to expert stucco painters who know exactly what type of paint to use, can suggest the ideal paint colors, and consistently create top quality results that last for many is the ideal way to ensure that your stucco is painted correctly.
Book a free exterior painting quote today if you’re ready to give your home a new look with a fresh coat of stucco paint!