Stucco is one of the many building materials used today to build a home. It is made from lime, sand, and other materials, which make it very strong. It is also available in different styles, colors, and designs. However, suppose you reside in an area with a lot of rainfall, i.e., the Northeast. In that case, your house is stucco might become vulnerable to water damage, causing you to seek the services of a professional in stucco repair or stucco remediation.
There are many reasons why stucco repairs are necessary. Water seepage through the cracks in stucco can cause significant damage to a house. For example, condensation from melting snow can leak into basements, creating water-borne mold that can lead to respiratory problems. Exterior stucco also absorbs sound, making it difficult to have a conversation outdoors. Stucco can even crack under extreme temperature change. If you are having exterior stucco repaired because of these issues, then you should ensure that the repair company you choose uses low VOC products.
The National Stucco Manufacturers Association (NSPMA), the largest national organization of licensed decorative stucco manufacturers in the United States, provides a rating system for stucco coatings. Currently, there are five distinct classifications: Very Good, Fair, Poor, Very Poor and Unrated. A house siding that is rated Good, meets all the performance criteria of the National Stucco Manufacturers Association (NSPMA). However, the actual performance of the material in question is dependent upon many factors. For example, if the house has a siding made from other materials, such as brick, than the stucco repair will likely be less problematic.
If you have a stucco repair on your home that was caused by a natural disaster, the NSPMA recommends repairing only parts of the stucco surface that was affected by the water. Additionally, repairing parts that have sustained the greatest water exposure will help prevent future water damage. Your contractor will be able to advise you on the extent of the damage to the stucco. In most cases, the most damage will be located near the foundation.
Many times when people experience water damage in their homes, they assume that their only option is to hire a stucco remediation company to come in and repair all of the affected areas. While it is true that a professional stucco remediation company can perform this type of work, there are some benefits to repairing the stucco yourself. First, many times the company will attempt to charge you an exorbitant amount for the remediation, when in all actuality, they could have performed the work for a fraction of the cost. In addition, sometimes a stucco remediation company will offer to remove portions of the damaged stucco for free, and then require you to return and replace whatever was removed.
Many times, a stucco repair contractor will recommend that you carry out the work yourself. This is not necessarily a bad thing. If you are able to successfully repair the area without any damage done to the underlying material, then you should very well. The reason for this is simple; repairing faulty stucco siding can cause future problems. If you carry out the stucco remediation yourself, you cannot repeat the same mistake twice.
If the botched stucco repair job was due to negligence on the part of the homeowner, then the homeowner may be able to file a lawsuit against the company for negligence. If a homeowner believes that their home was in danger due to stucco failure, they may be able to hold the company responsible for water damage or injury to persons. In most states, there are statutes of limitations on water damage and personal injury cases involving property. While you may believe that your stucco failure is no big deal, you may be wrong. In some cases, water damage can be serious, especially if it was a result of improper stucco remediation techniques.
If the damage is severe enough, the homeowners may also be able to file a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuits. Stucco repairs should only be carried out by trained professionals. There are plenty of resources on the Internet that can help you find qualified professional companies. Some websites even provide testimonials from people who have repaired their own stucco around the house. While the odds of having a successful lawsuit are low, homeowners should never take any chances. If the damage is severe, call in a professional as soon as possible.