Thanks to its versatility and durability, stucco continues to be a popular choice for home exteriors. The material dates back as far as 1400 BCE, ancient stucco buildings can still be found throughout Greece and Rome, in palaces, tombs and other architectural sites. One of the things that makes stucco so attractive today is that it doesn’t require much maintenance compared with siding options like wood, which needs sealing every few years.
But while stucco is low-fuss, it’s still susceptible to environmental conditions, wind, rain, harsh sunlight, and regular cleaning is essential to keep the exterior looking good. Cracks, holes and chips happen naturally over time (especially with older stucco), and once they appear they can compromise the integrity of the material and create an environment perfect for mould and mildew growth. So here’s how to take care of stucco properly so it lasts.
What is stucco?
Stucco is basically a mixture of cement, sand, and water. Lime may be added for workability, glass fibers for strength, or acrylics to make application easier. That mix creates something incredibly durable: stucco will last anywhere from 50–80 years. It’s also fire-resistant, energy-efficient, and can look more modern than brick.
Acrylic stucco
Acrylic stucco is made with acrylic resins, which makes it less prone to cracking than traditional stucco.
Conventional / textured stucco
Conventional (textured) stucco is made from sand, lime, and water. It has a rough, textured finish that reads more elegant. A stable mesh base is usually applied to keep this type of stucco from cracking (which will likely happen anyway, given enough time).
Why properly maintaining your home’s exterior is important
No exterior material will remain pristine forever. Exteriors are exposed to the elements so it’s only natural they collect dirt, dust and pollutants. Because stucco has a porous surface and tends to be absorbent, when it rains, dirt splashes onto the walls and leaves stains. Stucco requires regular maintenance to keep its aesthetic appeal.
If you don’t take regular care of these surfaces, mould growth and damage can develop from water infiltration. In other words, maintaining stucco avoids significant repairs in the future. And keeping the outside of your home looking good increases its value on the market, you won’t see the long-term financial benefits if your stucco is cracked or grimy.
Methods to clean stucco
Use a pressure washer
A pressure washer is arguably the most effective way to properly clean stucco surfaces, it works much better (and faster) than just using a garden hose alone.
If this is your choice, don’t crank the settings too high, as it can damage the surface and lead to water infiltration behind the stucco. You’ll need a pressure washer with at least 1,500 psi minimum and 2,800 psi maximum. For acrylic stucco, don’t use anything higher than 1,000 psi.
Keep yourself between 12–24 inches back from where you’re aiming, and use a 40-degree tip.
Note that it’s possible the finish may come off in some spots from this method. This doesn’t do anything to the structure, but if the finish comes off it changes the aesthetic. You can fix this if it happens while pressure washing, but you’ll need to know what finish material is on your home and the type of texture.
If you’re worried about causing damage via pressure washing, an alternate technique is using only a brush and gentle rinsing from your garden hose. It’s more work, but it gives you better results than just hosing down. Consider getting brushes with extension wands to extend reach. Stucco surfaces usually take 24 hours to dry after washing, clean on a day where there isn’t a lot of wind or rain forecast.
Cleaning agents you can use on stucco
Dish soap and bleach
Use dish soap mixed with warm water first to remove dust and debris, especially for acrylic stucco. You don’t want to use harsh chemicals on this. Warm water (no higher than 100°F / 38°C) is sufficient.
For traditional stucco, if dish soap doesn’t work, you can use bleach and water together. Use 1 part bleach for every 10–20 parts of water. If stains still aren’t coming off, strengthen it to 1 part bleach for every 5–10 parts of water. You can even add borax if needed. Just ensure no harsh chemicals get onto flowers or trees in the process.
Stucco cleaners
Another excellent option is dedicated stucco cleaners, which make it easy to remove dirt or stains. Most come in spray bottles you connect to a garden hose, and spots wash away easily. You can buy bulk containers and refill smaller jugs. Smaller jars generally cover around 1,000 sq. ft. of wall.
Call a professional
Get professional help if these solutions don’t work. We sometimes use a stronger chemical solution such as trisodium phosphate (TSP), which has to be applied with proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Leave this kind of heavy-duty cleaning to a pro from an exterior painting or stucco service provider.
Enhance the longevity of stucco
Elastomeric coatings
Elastomeric coatings are designed to protect masonry surfaces against rain and wind, so using them helps keep siding sealed, preventing moisture from getting inside where it could lead to mould growth. Elastomeric paint may also fill in minor hairline cracks better than other paint types can.
However, there are times elastomeric isn’t the best choice. If your stucco already has several coats of paint, you may not want another, adding enough layers of elastomeric paint can pull off whatever coating is below it unless that underlying coating is tightly adhered to the substrate.
Repair stucco cracks
Repairing stucco cracks right away is another crucial step. Breaches in siding can let moisture, bacteria or pests in, creating further damage over time if not fixed promptly.
Don’t worry about small cracks (less than 1/8″ wide), you can fix those quickly with caulking. Most people can do this without calling anyone else for help. Inspect affected areas annually and reapply as needed. Acrylic caulking is typically recommended since it lasts longer and works better than other types.
Stucco repair kits can be found at local hardware stores, but they might not have everything you need. Online retailers like Amazon and Home Depot offer kits with the necessary materials to fix minor issues such as cracks or holes. Larger cracks, those wider than 1/8″, usually require a stucco contractor because they can indicate more extensive damage.
Properly caring for stucco surfaces
Stucco is an attractive exterior finish that’s relatively low-maintenance, durable, versatile and beautiful. Regularly maintaining it using the correct methods above lets homeowners keep their stucco looking great for many years. Whether you have acrylic or conventional stucco, understanding its unique needs and addressing them quickly can save time, money and potential headaches.
If you’re seeing more than just cosmetic wear, our stucco repair team can take a look, and most quotes are free.
