Hi everyone! I'm seeking some advice about my home's stucco. Our house is over 15 years old and located in the southwest, where summer temperatures exceed 110°F. It was only painted once when it was built. After purchasing the house, we noticed that the south and west sides had faded paint with many hairline cracks and some areas crumbling. We hired someone to patch it up and use Dunn Edwards Spartashield for painting. Everything looked good initially, but just a week later, I've spotted numerous new hairline cracks (some quite long) appearing on the south and west sides. I've heard mixed things about the paint holding up with stucco movement, and I'm really concerned about whether these cracks are normal or if I should have the painters come back. Any thoughts?
2 Answers
It sounds like the initial repairs were insufficient. Make sure to use a flexible, paintable stucco repair product next time, as some just use regular caulk, which isn't durable. Since you've noticed new cracks surfacing, it’d be wise to get the painters back to address these properly to prevent larger issues down the line.
Concrete can crack over time, and it's quite common for stucco to develop hairline cracks, especially with movement. While the paint you used is appropriate, it won't completely prevent cracking as the structure settles or shifts. This condition isn't unusual, so monitor the situation, and if it worsens, consider seeking professional advice.
Yeah, that's what I'm seeing—just a lot of new cracks despite the fresh paint. It’s frustrating because I thought updating it would fix the problems. Do you think it’s worth waiting until fall to get new help, or should I act sooner?