"Our service stops when our customer stops calling"

STUCCO

Inspecting the exterior stucco walls of new & newer existing homes, I typically see that the thickness of the stucco is about ½ inch thick. The International Code Council (ICC), (BOCA, ICBO & SBCCI) and the Portland Cement Association requires a thickness of 7/8 inch over solid framing using expanded wire lath. (3/8 base coat – 3/8 brown coat – 1/8 finish coat, not including texture)

Also, the wire lath for the stucco should be nailed every 8 inches. Some builders are also using non-wood wall sheathings (foam boards, 3/16 cardboard, celotex, etc.) that have no nail holding abilities. There is no possible way that the wire can be secured adequately to the walls with these sheathings. This will result in loose, cracking and leaking stucco with a reduced life expectancy. There should be water resistant asphalt felts installed under the wire lath.

Installing stucco at this thickness and with the wire not being secured adequately in some areas, gives the homeowner an inferior wall finish with a reduced life expectancy and an easier access for water to enter the building through the wall finishes. The thinner stucco and inadequate nailing is also a violation of the Building Code for almost every borough or township.

Most builders recommend that the stucco be sealed. Sealing of the stucco with a good masonry sealer will possibly extend the life expectancy, however, this is a band-aid and should not be accepted in place of properly installed and a proper thickness stucco.

Home buyers should insist on proper thickness stucco, with the wire lath secured as required. They should request that the builder re-stucco the exterior walls properly when these inferior conditions exist.

International One and Two Family Dwelling Code

International Code Council (ICC)

ASTM C-926

Portland Cement Association

back to the top     Contact Us      War Stories

Technical Articles     Related Links      Sample Reports