When it comes to exteriors for your home, stucco is one of the best to have. It’s insulating, easy to take care of and compared to other materials, very cost effective. However, after a few months in some areas or years, it can tend to look a bit dingy. Here are some tips to help keep your stucco looking fresh for many years to come.
1. Keep it clean.
Stucco’s bumpy nature means that it’s going to collect dirt and not uniformly. If you live in an area where there is a lot of wind, it can be even worse. It’s a good idea to powerwash your stucco at least once a year, and more often if necessary. A good wash can make your stucco look brand new, especially if it’s white.
2. Whitewash if necessary.
This is an old technique that dates back hundreds of years. In fact, there are entire villages in Europe that grind to a halt for a week out of the year so that everyone can whitewash their homes. If you’ve got a white stucco house you can give it a quick and cheap facelift with a whitewash. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s basically watered down white paint that is used to refresh a surface every year. You may not need to whitewash your stucco every year, but it does give it a nice look if you do.
3. Pick a color that will wear well.
While you may like a dark color for your home, this may not be a good choice when you’re dealing with stucco. There’s a reason that so many stucco homes are white or light colored. This material is subject to a lot of abuse and it will show up pretty easily if you’re using a dark color. If you live where there is a lot of sand or blowing dirt the problem can be even worse. It’s best to pick a light color that will not fade as quickly and can be easily refreshed whenever necessary.
4. Watch out for holes.
As stucco ages, it can be apt to crack. You’ll need to keep an eye on your home, especially if it is already quite old. Luckily, cracked stucco is easy enough to fix and it won’t be very serious. However, you’ll need to make sure that the damage is only exterior and not structural before you get to patching the area.
5. Don’t put off repainting.
Stucco will need to be repainted every so often, and it’s best not to let it get out of hand. Check for spots of wear and address the issue right away so that your home doesn’t start to look rundown.
With proper care, stucco can last for several years and even though it does have some downsides, it’s still pretty easy to take care of. The key is stopping problems before they get out of hand. A simple preventative whitewash every year can help you cut down on a lot of issues.
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