Is stucco supposed to be virtually maintenance-free? While stucco is more of a maintenance-free finish it still requires some attention every now and then. Don’t worry this maintenance is very minimal. Luckily it is pretty easy to maintain though and you might be surprised at just how easy it is to maintain.
Lets take a look at some maintenance tips for washing your stucco walls:
Stucco walls can be washed and should be washed two to three times a year in order to maintain the finish coat’s ability to shine and function the way it should.
You can do this one of two different ways: using a garden hose or a pressure washer.
Using A Garden Hose: You can use a simple garden hose and wash down the exterior of your stucco but be aware that this will only remove a small amount of the dirt and debris that gets collected on your stucco walls over time. Using a garden hose works best on smooth to semi-smooth textures and will provide a decent cleanse, removing the debris that is loose on the surface.
If you want to get a much better result from using your garden hose then use a medium stiffness brush to get the majority of the dirt removed.This is a lot more labor intense but will have very different results for your efforts as well. Some brushes have a threaded hole on them somewhere where you can attach an extension wand to make the job easier by extending your reach.
Using A Pressure Washer: A pressure washer is the preferred way to clean your stucco because it is much faster, less labor intense and does a better job than a garden hose would. If you want to clean your stucco then you will need a pressure washer that is capable of around 1500 psi MINIMUM. You will want to use a 40 degree nozzle when cleaning the stucco and always be mindful of the distance your nozzle is from the wall and watch the stucco for any damage that may occur from pressure washing. A good distance to maintain is 12″ – 24″ from the nozzle to the wall for cleaning using a 40 degree tip.
Cleaning Agents On Your Stucco:
You can also use specific cleaners to help remove tougher stains like dirt, mildew, mold and other problematic materials that can cause staining on your walls. There are many different cleaners out there to choose from but I will keep the list short to avoid confusion and keep the process as simple as possible.
Plain Dish Soap And Warm Water: You can use warm water and a good quality dish soap to do a general cleaning of mild dust and debris on your stucco walls and using a good soap (I like Dawn) will give you more cleaning power than just water alone.
Bleach And Water Solution: Bleach can be a great cleaner to use on mold and mildew stains on your stucco walls but be wary of nearby plants, trees or anything else that might be at risk from using bleach. You can add 1 part bleach to 10 – 20 parts water for a more general type of cleaning on the walls or you can strengthen the mix to 1 part bleach and 5 -10 parts water for tougher stains and “spot treatments”.
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.