Water soaking into walls can pose a health hazard and compromise the structural integrity of your home. With this in mind, it is important to be able to determine if water has become trapped in the walls. Also, if you have water on your walls, you should hire a stucco repair professional as soon as possible.
There are three key indicators to look for to determine if your stucco has water damage. Water-damaged stucco may exhibit symptoms such as crack formation, staining, and mold growth.
Crack Formation
Hairline cracks could be a sign that there’s damage. But, if no other signs are found, you may be fine to leave the cracks or simply touch them up. Larger cracks are the main issues. They could be the result of your stucco expanding and contracting due to trapped moisture.
And, even if you find a larger crack with no other signs of water damage, you should get it fixed. That crack might not be caused by water, but it can certainly let water into your walls where it can cause
Staining
Staining is a reliable indicator that moisture is having an impact on your walls. For instance, you might notice streaks that appear dirty where water flows, like from the corners of your windows. In this instance, faulty installation or a lack of flashing could be the issue.
An area of your stucco walls that are discolored may appear moist. This isn’t necessarily a concern if it happens right after a rainstorm. But, if the wet-appearing spots continue, it can be a problem. While looking for dark areas, the vicinity of cracks is a good place to start because here is where water may be entering the wall.
Mold Growth
Mold formation, as opposed to moss growth, typically indicates that water is trapped within your walls. Mold grows best in dim, wet environments, such as behind moist walls. Mold may be present if you detect black stains on your stucco. There is also more mold inside your walls if you can see it on the exterior.
For two main reasons, mold is bad. To start with, it might be harmful to your health. Those who live in your home could be harmed by the mold in your walls. The wooden beams inside your walls are probably rotting, which is the second indication. Your walls become less structurally sound as the beams rot.
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If you’ve noticed signs of water damage to your stucco home, contact Stucco Today. We’ll come out for an inspection of your walls and inform you of the next steps you should take.