Expansion Gaps Smooth Stucco Siding

After that the pro will apply a new stucco base coat.

Expansion gaps smooth stucco siding.

This means that the boards should be touching each other when they are installed. This includes butt joints and places where the siding terminates vertically against windows doors and other fixtures. For these small cracks get a flexible paintable exterior grade caulk. There is no need to leave a gap for expansion.

The process of smoothing stucco in most cases there s no need to remove the old stucco to create a smoother surface. Sanded caulk has particles in it that help it adhere to wet surfaces and expand in larger gaps without cracking. Gaps are normal and should be expected since dissimilar materials expand at different rates. The manufacturer requires a 3 16 gap at the end of each piece of siding.

This affected most of the fiberboard between the patio and house. Wet your finger and gently wipe the caulk in the gap to give it a smooth rounded appearance. Where stucco meets a window door electrical box dryer vent or any other wall penetration you may notice a small expansion gap. Clean out the crack using a scraping tool and a wire brush so that there is no loose material and the caulk has a good surface to bond to.

It has a grainy texture and appearance. But on the exterior gaps in stucco siding can lead not only to further degradation of the stucco but also to a host of nasty issues mold growth for example or pest infestations. Use sanded caulk any time you use sanded grout and in joints 1 8 inch or wider. Quikrete has a stucco repair product that is textured to match the surrounding stucco and can fill gaps up to 1 2 an inch wide.

James hardie recommends that a slip sheet joint flashing is installed behind each butt joint in the siding. Such gaps can allow for excessive amounts of water to get past the stucco and therefore should be caulked on an annual basis. Wipe away any excess caulk. If there are minor cracks in your stucco this is a project that most san francisco homeowners can tackle if they want to.

Caulk can be either sanded or unsanded. Fill any low spots or remaining gaps with additional caulking until the gap. Unsanded caulk has a smooth appearance and texture. The pro s first step will be to power wash the home.

Asphalt saturated fiberboard designed for expansion joints.