Stucco can harbor what problems?
A. Stucco is a common exterior finish in California. It is a cementitious material usually 3/4″ thick and holds paint well, but that’s where it ends. Unlike wood clad buildings that take a beating due to weather or solar damage that require paint every few years, stucco doesn’t breath/ventilate like wood sided buildings during normal seasonal expansion and contraction. Should an unsuspected leak develop at the roof, windows or doors, or through settlement cracks, the moisture has no way to escape. And the inevitable wood decay will develop should the leak become chronic. We at Lingruen Associates all own stucco homes and like stucco for its easy durability, but we also know not to trust them any further than we can see them.
