If you have a stucco home then you should know that having a leak in your stucco is the worst. In order to avoid having to deal with a costly stucco water intrusion disaster then you must be on alert for any warning signs of stucco problems. While stucco is a gorgeous and  original home siding material on the exterior, the interior stucco and the potential of improper installation can leave stucco susceptible to water intrusion.A crucial skill to have is being able to identify stucco problems so you can catch these problems early.

We have provided you with some signs to look out for when it comes to water intrusion in stucco. We hope this helps you live comfortably and stress free in your home or helps makes the decision to go with a stucco home!

The Signs of Stucco Water Intrusion

When you’re searching for these warning signs, you want to look for obvious clues that water is  actually leaking through the stucco walls of your home.

  • Damp looking stucco — After it rains it is obviously normal for the stucco to be wet, however if the stucco stays wet for about week after the rainstorm then that is not normal. If the stucco stays wet for roughly a week then that’s a sign that the stucco has a water intrusion. You also want to pay close attention to spots on the wall that are constantly looking damp or discolored. You also want to be on the lookout for dark streaks that never disappear.
  • Cracks in Stucco — This should be an obvious and clear sign. You want to look for any large and obvious cracks as well as small hairline ones. Now stucco cracks don’t always mean that there is damage, but it is usually a common sign of stucco moisture problems.
  • Moisture on the basement walls — Now there are a lot of reasons for water infiltrating your basement, so it isn’t always caused by leaking stucco. Now just because it might not be because of the stucco doesn’t mean that this is a good or thing to overlook. We do consider this a more secondary sign to back up the other warnings.
  • Cracks and bubbles along the bottom edge of the wall — You may notice water leaking through the stucco walls and showing up along the bottom edge due to poor drainage systems. If you start to see dense cracks or odd bubbles, then you’re looking at the signs of stucco damage.
  • Window caulk gapping or cracking — The caulking around the windows are common places for stucco water intrusion. A good place to look for any signs of damage is the windows. If you spot any damage here then you might have to have your windows replaced as well.
  • Missing chips and chunks of stucco — Any surface damage to the stucco is a clear sign that there is some type of water damage underneath. If you start to notice that the stucco is tearing or breaking off, then it is worth calling an expert to come out and investigate the issue further.
  • Inside of drywall below the window feels soft — this is when you start to look inside your house for a stucco leak. You want to physically feel the drywall. If the drywall is feeling soft to the touch, then that’s a sign that there is moisture weakening your walls from the outside in!

Now the worst possible scenario is when stucco walls leak but didn’t show any signs beforehand. This is because all of the moisture is being absorbed. So truly, the only way to ensure your stucco is safe is to schedule professional stucco leak detection.

Cracked Brick and Stucco Repair from CDP Stucco

CDP Stucco has repaired cracked stucco for homeowners throughout Florida. If you are unsure if the cracks indicate foundation failure, a representative from CDP Stucco can provide an inspection to give you back peace of mind.

Contact us today for an inspection of your cracked stucco repair! If you are interested in Stucco Installation or Stucco Repair, call the experts at CDP Stucco now at 850-259-2283.