Stucco Repair
Stucco Repair in Fort Lauderdale
When you’ve spent over 20 years looking at exterior walls in South Florida like I have, you learn something very clearly: stucco never “just goes bad” on its own
Stucco Repair in Fort Lauderdale: Causes, Process & How to Prevent Future Damage
There’s always a reason behind the damage, and if you don’t fix it in time, that small issue turns into a big, expensive problem.
In this article I’ll walk you through, from real field experience, what causes stucco problems, how they affect your property if you ignore them, what the repair process really looks like, how long it takes, and what maintenance you need so it doesn’t come back. At the end, I’ll explain how Stucco Kings can help you with all of that and more.
What Causes Stucco Problems?
In South Florida, stucco suffers more than in many other states: strong sun, daily rain, hurricanes, humidity, and salt air near the coast. But most damage comes down to a few main causes:
Water intrusion
The #1 enemy of stucco is water that gets in where it shouldn’t:
- Old or failed caulking around windows and doors
- Missing or poorly installed flashings
- Roof leaks that run down inside the wall
- Sprinklers constantly hitting the wall
When water gets behind stucco:
- The substrate (plywood, sheathing, block) starts to rot or deteriorate
- Metal lath rusts
- Stucco begins to separate, swell, or “bubble” out
Poor original installation
Unfortunately, we see this all the time:
- Stucco applied too thin or too thick
- Bad mix ratio (too much sand, too little cement, too much water)
- No lath or reinforcement where it’s needed
- No control joints to allow building movement
All of that leads to premature cracking, delamination, and staining.
Structural movement & settlement
Buildings move:
- Natural settlement of the structure
- Vibrations from heavy traffic or equipment
- Impacts (doors slamming, vehicles or objects hitting the wall)
This movement creates:
- Map cracking across large areas
- Cracks at window and door corners
- Open joints where different materials meet (stucco–concrete, stucco–wood, etc.)
Wrong paint or lack of maintenance
- Using the wrong paint or skipping maintenance also damages stucco:
- Non-breathable paints that trap moisture inside the wallPainting over mold, dirt, or efflorescence (white stains)
- Leaving stucco unprotected for years under Florida sun and rain
What Happens If You Don’t Repair Stucco in Time?
- Most homeowners call us when they finally see the problem on the surface:
- Large cracks
- Hollow-sounding areas when you tap the wall
- Pieces of stucco falling off
- Dark moisture stains
By that time, often the real damage is already behind the stucco. If you don’t take action, this can happen:
- Structural damage Water starts eating away at plywood, framing, or block. Over time, this can compromise the wall’s integrity.
- Mold and mildew Trapped moisture + Florida heat = mold inside walls. That’s not just a property issue, it’s a health concern.
- More expensive repairs later What could have been a small 4–8 sq ft patch becomes a full wall rebuild or multiple large sections.
- Issues with HOA, insurance, or inspections
- HOAs can pressure you to fix visible exterior damage.
- Insurance companies may push back or make notes if your exterior is failing.
- When you sell the property, inspectors will find it—and it can kill or delay your deal.
How Is Damaged Stucco Repaired? (The Real-World Process)
Every project is different, but a professional stucco repair usually follows these steps:
Inspection & diagnosis
Before we touch the wall with a trowel, we need to understand what’s going on:
- Check cracks, hollow areas, bulges, and color changes
- Look for potential water entry points: windows, roofs, floor lines, transitions
- Sometimes we recommend opening small test areas to see the condition of the substrate
From there we determine:
- Is it just a surface issue?
- Is the substrate (wood, block, lath) damaged?
- Do we need roofing, carpentry, or other trades involved?
Controlled demolition of damaged stucco
We don’t just “start smashing the wall.” Professional demo means:
- Removing only loose, swollen, or heavily cracked stucco
- Extending slightly beyond the damage so we can tie in new stucco properly
- Protecting windows, doors, landscaping, and nearby surfaces
Repairing the substrate and waterproofing
If the base is damaged, you must fix it before re-applying stucco:
- Replace rotten or deteriorated plywood
- Repair or replace rusted metal lath
- Install or improve water-resistive barrier (house wrap, waterproofing coatings)
- Review and correct flashings, sealants, and critical joints
Lath and prep work
In required areas:
- Install metal lath or fiberglass mesh, depending on the system
- Reinforce corners and edges with proper trims
- Prepare the surface for strong stucco adhesion
Applying the stucco (layers)
Depending on the system (traditional stucco, EIFS, etc.), the process may include:
- Scratch coat (base layer)
- Brown coat (leveling layer)
- Finish coat (texture and final appearance)
Each layer needs proper curing time to avoid:
- Cracking
- Texture inconsistencies
- Bond failures
Matching texture and blending with existing finish
This is the part you only learn on job sites:
- Matching existing textures (knockdown, fine, heavy, dash, trowel, etc.)
- Blending transitions so the repair doesn’t look like a square patch on the wall
- Preparing the surface correctly for paint
Painting and sealing
Finally, we protect the repair:
- Exterior-grade paints designed for Florida conditions
- In many cases, we recommend elastomeric coatings to help bridge micro-cracks and resist moisture
- Caulking and sealing around windows, doors, and transitions.
Maintenance: How to Keep Stucco Problems from Coming Back
Repairing stucco is only half the game. The other half is proper maintenance. Here’s what we always recommend to homeowners and property managers:
Inspect caulking and joints once a year
Check:
- Around doors and windows
- Joints where different materials meet (stucco–concrete, stucco–wood)
- Any wall penetration (light fixtures, cameras, cable, pipes, etc.)
If the caulk is cracked, separating, or missing—it’s time to replace it.
Control water exposure
- Adjust sprinklers so they don’t hit the walls constantly
- Keep gutters and downspouts clean and properly directed
- Fix any roof leaks as soon as they appear
Paint maintenance
Depending on paint quality and exposure:
- We typically recommend repainting every 7–10 years, or sooner if you see severe fading or chalking
- Always use exterior-grade products made for humid, coastal, and high-UV environments
Visual inspections after major storms
After hurricanes, tropical storms, or heavy rain events:
- Look for new cracks
- Check for bulging areas
- Watch for fresh moisture stains
If you spot something unusual, call a professional before it becomes a major repair.
Why Choose Stucco Kings for Your Stucco Repair?
If you’re in South Florida, you don’t need to “experiment” with your home or building. With Stucco Kings:
- We have over 20 years of experience in construction, stucco, and remodeling in Florida.
- We run multiple specialized crews, so we can handle several projects per week without delays.
- We understand the specific challenges of our climate and codes:
- High humidity
- Daily rain and intense sun
- Hurricane zones
- Coastal and salt-air environments
Our services include:
- Stucco repair & stucco restoration
- New exterior stucco installations
- Interior stucco and decorative finishes
- Microcement for modern interiors and bathrooms
- Water intrusion and leak-related repairs
- Exterior painting and waterproofing systems
We don’t just “cover a hole.” Our approach is to diagnose the cause, fix it at the root, and leave your property protected and ready for Florida weather.
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