Document Library

Crack Repair in Stucco 

There are some standard steps you should take in remediation of cracks. The best solution is to repair the visible cracks. To do so, you must first determine whether the cracks are “active”, growing in length or width, or “static.”. It usually only takes a few weeks for cracks to finish but you must be sure. Start by marking and measuring the width of a crack in the early morning and again in the sun that afternoon. This will tell you if the crack is moving. Length is much easier to determine. Just mark the current end with a pencil.​ Read More.

Choosing a Consulting Expert for Stucco Inspection or Review

It seems that there has lately been a tremendous increase in the number of claims of defective design, workmanship or supervision regarding “stucco” on projects throughout Florida. As a result, there are now a myriad of so called “experts” offering their opinions on design and installation techniques. Read more

Accelerators and Retarders
for Portland Cement-Based Plasters

Admixtures for the acceleration or retardation of stucco set and curing times should only be used after laboratory testing under conditions that closely approximate the job site conditions for the time and location of the project.  Read more

“Alligator-back” – Causes and Correction

There are two primary types of cracks that occur in stucco: shrinkage and movement. Both are easily identifiable by the pattern in which they crack. The “alligator-back” or “crazing” pattern is indicative of shrinkage cracks. Read more

Portland Cement/Lime vs.
Masonry Cement/Stucco

The use of Portland Cement/Lime mortars for unit masonry and/or stucco was the standard of the industry for nearly a century. Though considered antiquated, it is still specified today, primarily on military projects or projects located... Read more

Decorative Cementitious Coating (DCC) & The Florida Building Code

1) The FRC specifies the numbers of coats and the thicknesses required of weather-resistant finishes on walls from the approved list in Section R703.13. In that list, you’ll find Stucco or Portland Cement-Based Plaster. Read More

Plaster Application: The Double-back
Or Double-up Method

Questions frequently arise as to the adequacy of the double-back method of plaster application. In times past, we used to require a delay of at least 24 hours for curing of the scratch coat prior to application of the brown coat. Read More

“Ghosting” in Stucco

The term “ghosting” in stucco refers to the visibility of the mortar joints in the concrete masonry wall substrate. Where stucco has been properly placed and cured, this should not be evident. Ghosting is caused by several factors but is preventable with care and precautions. Read More

Lath Over Concrete Block – A Bad Idea

The Florida Lath & Plaster Bureau discourages the use of lath over concrete masonry units (CMU) for a variety of reasons including water-resistance, durability, cracking and cost.

There are several issues that arise when applying lath to CMU that should be discussed. Read More

Stucco doesn’t leak…holes do. Liquid Applied Barriers (LABs) for Stucco

It seems as though the entire world is blaming stucco as the cause of water intrusion into homes, offices or whatever. This has been the mantra of homeowners, insurance companies and even some contractors since the storm season of 2004. Read More

When may I paint my Stucco?

Time is only a minor factor in determining when to paint fresh stucco. It is only important as relative to the amount of moisture available from rainfall, humidity or applied. There is no “rule of thumb” as to the amount of time that should pass prior to painting as conditions change daily... Read More

Stucco and pH – Lime Burn

We all know that the lime in fresh plaster, concrete and masonry can cause what we know as Lime burn. This condition results as an allergic reaction to chromium, which is naturally occurring in the limestone used to produce cement. Read More

Rust Spots in Finished Plaster

From time to time you may experience a spotting of the stucco through the paint in the form of rust. There can be several causes for this phenomenon including the sand source, shipping, the water source or an external debris source on the plastered wall prior to painting. Read More

Seasonal Variations in Stucco Application

Weather has a significant effect on the application requirements of stucco in both a macro (seasonal) and micro (daily) basis. Factors contributing to these effects are: temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar exposure. Read More

Masonry & Stucco Cements &
Florida Code Approval

There have recently been several instances in which Building Officials have asked for the Florida Building Code Approval number for stucco cement. It has been determined by the Product Approval Program Oversight Committee that approval numbers are not...Read More

Stucco on Concrete:
Pre-cast, Poured-in-Place and Tilt-Up

Placing Portland Cement Plaster on concrete structures is a fairly simple process and successful application provided a few preliminary steps are taken to ensure bond. Read More

Stucco Sand and ASTM
C 897 in Florida

Providing a quality stucco job requires the use of quality ingredients, stucco cement, potable water and aggregate (sand). The failure of any one of these ingredients can lead to failures in the plaster coat. Read More

FRC, IRC and the 5th Edition “Curing” Requirements

There is a lot of noise in the system lately regarding the “new” curing paragraph with the FRC (703.6.5). Actually, this paragraph is not new at all. It has been a part of the IRC since most of the old codes were combined into one years ago. 
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